James Gunn Confirms 2 Iconic Villains Are Coming to the DCU Soon

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James Gunn and DC Studios have a lot going on, especially with the upcoming release of Supergirl, starring Milly Alcock. While most of the cast for Kara Zor-El’s summer film is known, fans are curious about which villains will appear in the DC Universe moving forward.

With so many options available, it’s hard to know which characters James Gunn will include in the new DC Universe. He’s already dismissed one particularly strong contender, and we’ll discuss that shortly.

HBO Max’s upcoming Lanterns series seems to be teasing the arrival of Clayface. The series, scheduled for release in October 2026, will feature one of Batman’s scariest foes. Clayface also appears in Creature Commandos, which introduces Princess Ilana Rostovic and Circe – characters who aren’t as widely known, but still pack a punch.

James Gunn: Two Supervillains to Debut ‘Soon’ in the DCU

Nicholas Hoult will reprise his role as Lex Luthor in the 2027 film Man of Tomorrow. He’ll be joined by Adria Arjona as Maxima, which will present a significant challenge for David Corenswet’s Superman in the sequel. James Gunn has many other memorable DC Comics villains – and heroes – he could also include in the DC Universe.

A fan recently asked James Gunn on Threads if we might ever see certain villains – like General Zod, Doomsday, Dr. Fate, Black Adam, Ultraman and his crime syndicate, or Darkseid – and one hero appear in future projects.

Gunn’s reply was brief and playful, hinting that two announcements would be coming soon: “Two of them in not too long … “

This development allows for a lot of speculation, which is precisely what Gunn intended. What’s really notable is that it confirms not just that two new supervillains are coming to the DC Universe, but that they will specifically be chosen from a limited, pre-existing list of candidates – significantly reducing the possibilities.

Which Villain, Hero Will Debut Next in the DCU … and Where?

James Gunn has stated Darkseid won’t be the main villain in the new DC Universe, likely because previous attempts to feature him in the old DC films weren’t successful with audiences. However, it’s possible Gunn is considering Darkseid’s planned appearance in the upcoming animated Mister Miracle series.

While it’s unlikely Dwayne Johnson will return as Black Adam or Pierce Brosnan as Dr. Fate, new actors would probably be cast in those roles. However, Brosnan has expressed a willingness to reprise his role, and James Gunn is known to be open to bringing back actors from the previous DC Universe.

James Gunn is planning to continue using some characters from the previous DCEU, like Peacemaker and Rick Flagg Sr., and he’s considering a role for Blue Beetle’s Xolo Maridueña. This means there’s a possibility Pierce Brosnan could return. Importantly, Gunn’s DC Universe includes animated projects as well, and Dr. Fate will be important to that broader universe, not just the live-action films.

Regarding potential villains, an Ultraman-like character is already set to appear in the 2025 Superman movie (though it’s a different version than the one from the comics). This leaves Doomsday and General Zod as the most likely candidates for future appearances in the live-action DC Universe. It’s impossible to know what direction James Gunn will choose, but if I had to pick two villains from the five previously mentioned, those would be my best guesses.

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2026-05-30 19:51