James Gunn’s DCU Super-Family Now Includes 7 Members (Photos)

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James Gunn, co-CEO of DC Studios, is already building a strong team of heroes for the new DC Universe (DCU), with over half a dozen key members already established. The DCU officially launched with the 2025 film Superman, marking a fresh start for the iconic character and building on Gunn’s success with Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy. This new franchise promises to introduce many new heroes, including a significant group of Kryptonians living on Earth, following Gunn’s initial solo film.

James Gunn’s Superman movie revealed the first seven members of Superman’s extended family. Though the film pitted Superman against a group of formidable enemies – including Lex Luthor, played by Nicholas Hoult – it also successfully introduced the key characters who will support him moving forward.

The movie Superman is the first theatrical release from DC Studios under the leadership of James Gunn and Peter Safran. It stars David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan, and Nicholas Hoult, and tells the story of Clark Kent as he begins his career as both a reporter and a superhero, eventually facing off against villains like Lex Luthor. You’ll be able to stream Superman on HBO Max starting Friday, September 19.

Every Member of the DCU Super-Family Introduced So Far

Superman/Kal-El

David Corenswet stars as Clark Kent, also known as Kal-El and Superman, the main Kryptonian hero in the new DC Universe. The 2025 film, Superman, will show his beginnings as both a Daily Planet reporter and a superhero, and will feature his first big fight, giving audiences a look at his powers and how he faces his enemies.

Superman demonstrated a wide range of abilities seen in the comics when he defeated Lex Luthor, even battling a copy of himself. David Corenswet is set to reprise the role in the 2027 film, Man of Tomorrow, and will delve deeper into Superman’s origins while teaming up with Lex Luthor to face an even greater danger.

Supergirl/Kara Zor-El

The final scene of Superman gave audiences their first complete view of Milly Alcock as Supergirl, also known as Kara Zor-El and cousin to Superman. Wearing her full costume beneath a long tan coat, Kara entered the Fortress of Solitude looking for her dog, and appeared to be getting over a night of fun.

Milly Alcock will reprise her role as Supergirl in a standalone movie slated for 2026. The film will draw inspiration from the ‘Woman of Tomorrow’ comic book storyline and mark Supergirl’s first solo big-screen adventure in over four decades. As part of the new DC Universe, she’ll face formidable opponents, including Jason Momoa as Lobo.

Jor-El

In a brief, somewhat unclear video, James Gunn revealed that Bradley Cooper, known for voicing Rocket Raccoon, will play Jor-El, Superman’s father, in the DC Universe. Jor-El was a brilliant scientist on Krypton who sent his baby son to Earth to escape the planet’s destruction, hoping to ensure the survival of his people.

I have to admit, I was really taken aback by how Jor-El was portrayed in the recent Superman movie! The way his message to his son was interpreted – it seemed like he was essentially telling Kal-El to rebuild Earth by repopulating it with human women and eliminating anyone who disagreed – caused a huge uproar, and I totally understand why. It’s left me wondering what DC’s plans are for him going forward, especially since everyone thinks he’s no longer with us. It’s a really uncertain situation for such an important character!

Lara Lor-Van

Angela Sarafyan will play Lara Lor-Van, Superman’s mother, alongside Bradley Cooper and David Corenswet in the new film. She appears in a video message where she expresses her love for her son and reminds him of his mission to Earth with his father, Jor-El.

Krypto

The Super Family’s adventures are led by its human members, but Krypto the Super-Dog is an essential part of the team. Making his live-action debut in Superman, Krypto demonstrates amazing abilities like flying, incredible speed, and super strength.

Krypto appears to be a typical scruffy white dog, but he’s actually far from ordinary. His unique biology lets him perform incredible feats no regular dog could ever dream of. Now that Krypto has teamed up with Supergirl, the possibilities for his future adventures seem endless.

Jonathan Kent

Pruitt Taylor Vince plays Jonathan Kent, portraying Clark Kent’s adoptive father.

Jonathan, a farmer from Smallville, Kansas, took in baby Clark Kent after his spaceship crashed on Earth and later adopted him as his son. He dedicated himself to raising Clark with strong values and a sense of humanity, fully supporting him as he discovered his powers and became a hero.

Martha Kent

Martha Kent, the adoptive mother of Clark Kent and wife of Jonathan Kent (played by Neva Howell), adds another important family member to the DC Universe. Although her story is still developing, Martha’s unwavering love and support will be crucial to the success and well-being of Clark and her family as the franchise moves forward.

Bonus: Zor-El (Supergirl)

The upcoming Supergirl movie, set for 2026, will expand the DC Universe by introducing Kara Zor-El’s family, specifically her father, Zor-El. David Krumholtz, who recently appeared in Oppenheimer, will play Zor-El, who is the brother of Jor-El and a highly skilled scientist. While Zor-El’s backstory has varied in different versions, he’s expected to be a key figure in the development of Milly Alcock’s Supergirl character.

Bonus: Alura In-Ze (Supergirl)

Along with David Krumholtz returning as Zor-El, the show Supergirl will introduce Emily Beecham as Alura In-Ze, Zor-El’s wife and Supergirl’s mother. This will be only the second time the character Alura has appeared in a live-action series, allowing DC Studios to explore her story more thoroughly than ever before.

Bonus: Lois Lane

Lois Lane, the Daily Planet reporter portrayed by Rachel Brosnahan in Superman, isn’t usually considered part of the core ‘Super Family,’ but she’s famously known as Clark Kent’s great love. The new Superman film shows Clark and Lois beginning their relationship, and future installments could explore their connection further, potentially leading to an engagement and marriage.

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2026-01-11 12:36