All 9 DCEU Characters Who Have Already Been Recast in James Gunn’s DC Universe

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The DC Universe (DCU) is officially underway with the first season of Creature Commandos, Superman, and the upcoming second season of Peacemaker. Soon, Lanterns, Supergirl, and Clayface will add even more exciting possibilities. This marks a departure from the previous DC Extended Universe (DCEU), though it’s not a complete reset. Because it is something new, most of the previous casting choices are being replaced. Now, at the start of this new universe, is the perfect time to track which characters are being played by different actors.

This focuses on characters continuing in the new DC Universe, not the actors who originally played them. So, while Jason Momoa won’t be back (he’s moving from Aquaman to Lobo), several actors are reprising their roles. This includes Joel Kinnaman as Rick Flag Jr. (continuing from The Suicide Squad to Peacemaker Season 2), Viola Davis as Amanda Waller, and Xolo Maridueña as Blue Beetle, though the timing of his return is still to come.

9) King Shark

It’s easy to see Birds of Prey and The Suicide Squad as the real start of the new DC Universe, even though technically they aren’t. They just feel more connected to the tone of this new world – a mix of the hopeful feel of Superman and the quirky darkness of Creature Commandos – than anything we saw in the previous DC movie universe. Peacemaker Season 2 really reinforces this connection, bridging the gap between the old and new eras. Everything links together: Season 2 of Peacemaker connects to Season 1, which connects to The Suicide Squad, which connects to Birds of Prey – it’s all part of a larger, interconnected story.

The King Shark in The Suicide Squad, with Sylvester Stallone providing the voice, is distinct from the version appearing in the final episode of Creature Commandos. That Creature Commandos King Shark is voiced by Diedrich Bader, who many remember as the meddling neighbor Lawrence from the movie Office Space.

8) Perry White

Wendell Pierce doesn’t appear much in the new Superman movie, but he effectively portrays the newspaper’s serious and principled editor. He’s a charming actor who manages to be both friendly and professional.

Laurence Fishburne had a little more screen time overall, though not significantly more. Considering he appeared in two films, Pierce will likely reach that same amount soon. Still, Fishburne left a stronger impact, particularly when he bravely stepped in front of a staff member to protect them from General Zod’s doomsday device. It was a genuinely heroic moment for a regular human.

7) Jimmy Olsen

Michael Cassidy played Jimmy Olsen in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, but his role was so small it’s easy to miss. Unlike the typical portrayal of a determined reporter, he appeared primarily as a spy. He attempted to hide a tracking device inside a camera, but a member of the Nairomi gang found it, and he was killed.

I’m really impressed with how they’ve developed Jimmy Olsen in the DCU, especially with Skyler Gisondo playing the part. He’s a genuinely good guy, a really motivated journalist, and it’s funny because a lot of women seem to be into him, even if he’s a little clueless about it! Gisondo is hilarious, and he brings a lot of lightheartedness to the role, but this Jimmy isn’t just comic relief – he actually helps move the story forward. It’s a massive improvement over previous versions, and I’m excited to see what Gisondo does with the character going forward.

6) Jonathan Kent

The two versions of Jonathan Kent we see in Man of Steel and Superman are fundamentally alike. Both serve the same purpose: to guide Clark Kent and help him find his path in life.

Pruitt Taylor Vince’s portrayal of Jonathan Kent in Superman is much more gentle and kind-hearted. He actually comes across as a more supportive father figure. Kevin Costner’s version felt overly stern and made some strange decisions, like risking his life in a tornado when his son could have witnessed it. It’s hard to understand why he was so insistent on Clark hiding his powers – would letting Clark be himself really have been worse than the pain of losing another father figure? Ultimately, this is a great example of how recasting an actor can lead to a character being written and performed in a completely new way.

5) Martha Kent

Similar to Pruitt Taylor Vince’s portrayal, Neva Howell plays Martha Kent as a kind and down-to-earth small-town mother. We find these versions of Superman’s parents more believable and relatable than those in the DC Extended Universe.

Diane Lane brought a classic movie star presence to the role of a loving mother, and she played it well. However, it was difficult to forget that we were watching a famous actress in the part. In contrast, the DCU version feels more authentic – we genuinely see a mother worried about her sick adopted son.

4) Lois Lane

The two actresses who’ve played Lois Lane, Amy Adams and Rachel Brosnahan, both perfectly capture her key traits: a determined and ethical journalist, and a woman clearly falling for Clark Kent. They portray these qualities equally well, which is fitting given how iconic the character is.

It will be worth watching how Brosnahan’s role develops as the series progresses. But for now, she’s proven Gunn has a great eye for casting and building out his vision for this universe.

3) Lex Luthor

This update shows a clear improvement in the portrayal of the character. The actor moved from playing a loud and erratic version of Mark Zuckerberg, similar to his role in The Social Network, to a more believable and cunning sociopath.

Jesse Eisenberg is a capable actor, but his portrayal of Lex Luthor didn’t work well. His scenes in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice were often awkward and hard to watch. The character felt erratic rather than intelligent, making it difficult to buy his elaborate scheme. In contrast, Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor feels genuinely capable of masterminding any plan, driven by intense jealousy. The most promising part of Man of Tomorrow is seeing how Hoult’s Lex will be used, as he instantly became the standout character in this new DC Universe with just one film.

2) Superman

For a lot of fans, Henry Cavill is Superman. He was the first hero we met in the DC Extended Universe and remained a part of it throughout its run, even if he didn’t get as much screen time as many wished. While his portrayal was debated, the issue wasn’t with Cavill’s acting, but rather with the writing. Like the rest of the Justice League, his Superman suffered from the cancellation of future team-up movies, but thankfully, we did get to see some development of his character.

David Corenswet’s portrayal of Superman feels much more optimistic. Remarkably, even after just one film, he’s made as significant an impact as Henry Cavill did with Man of Steel. While Cavill will be missed, Corenswet makes it easy to see him as a part of the past and embrace a brighter future for the character.

1) Supergirl

It’s difficult to predict how audiences will react to Milly Alcock as Supergirl before seeing her full performance, but the trailer looks promising. Even with limited screen time in Superman, she already came across as likable, funny, and charming.

Sasha Calle’s portrayal of Supergirl shows the most significant personality difference between the DCEU and DCU versions of the character. In The Flash, she played Supergirl as a serious, world-weary, yet incredibly strong and courageous hero. Many felt her performance was a standout, even overshadowing Michael Keaton’s return as Batman. Although that version of Supergirl only appeared in one film, Calle’s career hasn’t suffered, and she recently delivered another impressive performance in The Rip.

Have the recent changes to the cast been positive overall? Share your thoughts in the comments below and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!

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2026-03-05 00:42