James Gunn Confirms a Marvel Favorite Has “Begged” for A DCU Character (And They Have a Batman Connection)

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James Gunn‘s new DC Universe is really taking off! The recent *Superman* movie showed audiences are excited about what’s to come, and that the filmmakers aren’t afraid to pull from even the most unusual corners of DC Comics. With characters like Krypto, Metamorpho, and even a giant monster, Gunn has demonstrated that almost any idea is possible. He’s confirmed that different characters and concepts can coexist freely. In a recent social media post, Gunn hinted at an even stranger character joining the DCU, and a writer from Marvel has already expressed interest in working on it.

A DC fan recently asked James Gunn on Threads if Detective Chimp, a quirky and funny character, might appear in a live-action movie. Given Gunn’s track record with animal characters like Krypto, Eagly, and Rocket Raccoon, the question felt natural. Gunn responded with good news for fans: Drew Goddard has repeatedly asked to use the character, and Gunn told him he’s welcome to – as long as Goddard writes the script!

Detective Chimp Could Be the DCU’s Secret Weapon

As a comic book fan and movie critic, I’ve always been captivated by Detective Chimp. He’s got a surprisingly rich history at DC, and through all the different origin stories, one thing always shines through: he’s a genuinely endearing, crime-solving ape! What really excites me about his potential in the new DCU, though, is how well-connected he already is. He hasn’t just been a solo act; he’s been part of teams like the Justice League Dark, the Guild of Detection, and even the main Justice League! That built-in connectivity means Detective Chimp could instantly open up a lot of exciting doors and expand the universe in a big way.

Detective Chimp fits easily into many different DC stories thanks to his connections with popular characters like John Constantine, Swamp Thing, Martian Manhunter, Wonder Woman, and Batman. Whether a story involves magic, elemental powers, or a classic mystery, he’s well-suited to play a role. Plus, he frequents the Oblivion Bar, a unique bar located in its own dimension – a concept James Gunn’s DC Universe has already used. The fact that several characters connected to Detective Chimp are already planned for the DCU is another benefit.

As a huge movie fan, I found it really interesting when James Gunn started talking about potentially adding a new character to the DCU. But what *really* caught my attention was him mentioning a specific creative force pushing for it! That’s a new level of transparency, even for him. Now, Marvel fans might not know the name Drew Goddard right away, but they absolutely should. He’s a seriously talented guy. He cut his teeth writing for shows like *Buffy*, *Angel*, *Lost*, and *Alias*, but he actually *created* the original *Daredevil* series on Netflix and even wrote the first two episodes. He had to leave to work on a different Marvel project – a *Sinister Six* movie that sadly never happened. Honestly, the guy’s proven himself over and over again. He even got an Academy Award nomination for adapting *The Martian*, and co-wrote the brilliant horror film *The Cabin in the Woods*. He’s a real talent!

What’s the future hold for Detective Chimp? According to Gunn, the fact that James Gunn has been asked about him suggests a debut isn’t happening soon. However, because Gunn would need to develop the character himself, it’s still possible. The good news is that, unlike a character with decades of established lore like Superman, Detective Chimp’s story is relatively open, giving creators a lot of freedom.

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2025-09-19 21:43