James Gunn Confirms DCU’s First Thanos-Level Villain Is Coming

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James Gunn, one of the co-heads at DC Studios, has shared that the DC Universe will soon introduce its first major universe-altering villain, who could be equally formidable as Marvel’s Thanos. Although a Justice League film hasn’t been confirmed yet, this revelation follows the escalating storyline of the Superman Saga, hinting at an epic multiverse collision scheduled for 2027.

Following several weeks of hinting at a new Superman installment, while consistently dismissing the possibility of it being “Superman 2”, Gunn announced his forthcoming creative endeavor as “Man of Tomorrow”.

The artists David Corenswet, Nicholas Hoult, and Gunn displayed early sketches of Superman and Lex Luthor in a battle suit, hinting at a possible alliance between these adversaries.

The notion has been verified, as Gunn shared on The Howard Stern Show that the story in “Man of Tomorrow” involves Lex Luthor and Superman needing to collaborate to some extent.

More importantly, Gunn hinted at an imminent villain in the DCU who presents a significantly larger danger, compelling the enemies to join forces.

The tale revolves around Lex Luthor and Superman forming an alliance, however uneasy, to confront a menacing enemy far greater than both of them combined.

In Superman, Lex was a formidable and intelligent adversary, but unlike certain mystical or cosmic DC antagonists, he doesn’t possess supernatural powers such as magic or extraordinary physical abilities.

In reference to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it might be said that this situation mirrors previous adversaries like Loki, or even Steve Rogers (Captain America) and Tony Stark (Iron Man), who set aside their conflicts to join forces against a common enemy, Thanos.

Although the DC Universe hasn’t explicitly established a larger threat post-Superman, ongoing projects like the second season of “Peacemaker,” HBO’s “Lanterns,” and the new series “Supergirl” featuring Milly Alcock may offer clues about the impending battle between Superman and Lex Luthor.

As a cinephile, I must say that the enigma at hand in this film is nothing short of captivating. A plethora of fan theories have already surfaced, yet director Gunn manages to keep us guessing, making him an unpredictable mastermind.

Intriguingly enough, the mystery in question has left me utterly spellbound! Fans are eagerly debating various theories, but what sets Gunn apart is his knack for keeping us on our toes – a trait that makes him truly unforeseeable.

Who is the DCU’s New Big Bad?

In “Superman: Man of Tomorrow,” the concept of Superman and Lex Luthor teaming up paves the way for an incredibly powerful adversary, one that is menacing enough to bring together implacable foes.

As a dedicated cinephile, I’d put it this way: The menacing figure of Darkseid stands out as the most potent villain, reminiscent of Thanos in his cosmic ambitions. Armed with the Anti-Life Equation, he aims to conquer and enslave the entire Multiverse. This chilling prospect could potentially bring about an unexpected alliance between Lex Luthor and Superman – a partnership that might be our best hope for thwarting this impending disaster.

Not only does Isabela Merced’s Hawkgirl and possibly Aaron Pierre’s John Stewart join the fray, but we might need everyone on board if Darkseid is hinting at a visit to Earth. However, it seems unlikely that Darkseid will appear again so soon as he was recently featured in the DCEU, even being given a more detailed backstory in last year’s Zack Snyder’s Justice League.

A character akin to Parallax could be instrumental in linking the Green Lantern universe, introducing universal-level threats capable of forging an alliance between Earth’s heroes and cosmic forces.

In simpler terms, Brainiac-often regarded as Superman’s primary antagonist-could make an appearance as a genius collector of planets. His intelligence and advanced technology exceed those of Lex Luthor, making him a formidable opponent. This superior intellect could lead to his release from Belle Reve Correctional Center, causing him to assist Superman instead of posing a direct threat.

It’s quite possible that Bainiac is widely believed to be the primary antagonist in the story of Superman, much like how fans initially anticipated Thanos to be the main adversary in the Marvel universe. Consequently, it would not be unexpected if Gunn was gradually setting up this villain for a significant role.

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2025-09-13 20:35