Some characters from the old DCEU deserve to move over with their actors to the upcoming DC Universe reboot. James Gunn and Peter Safran are ready to bring a new perspective to DC's content output, with the duo tracing a 10-year plan for DC, creating an expansive DC Universe that extends itself to movies, TV, animation, and video games. Gunn and Safran are also going to be bringing DC closer to its comic book roots, something that was not part of the DCEU's operating style under director Zack Snyder's vision. With the changes in management at DC, actors will have to be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
The new DC Universe's first major departure was Henry Cavill leaving as Superman. Gunn is writing Superman: Legacy's story, the reboot movie for the Man of Steel that he will also direct, with a release set for 2025. The film brings in a new take on Clark Kent, with the hero being younger in the new DC Universe, which explains why Cavill could not continue in the role. Cavill's departure as Superman after he had just returned in Black Adam showed that no actor was guaranteed to maintain their role in the new DC Universe. That said, some existing DC movie characters must stay canon in the new DC Universe.
10 Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn
Margot Robbie's Harley Quinn is one of the most beloved characters to come out of the DCEU, which means the actress' take on the anti-hero is likely set to come back in the new DC Universe. While Gunn recently debunked that a Harley Quinn series with Robbie was happening, the character could return in the DC Universe with a role in the upcoming Waller series — which stars Viola Davis' DCEU character Amanda Waller — connecting Robbie's role in Gunn's The Suicide Squad with one of the first announced projects in the new DC Universe. Gunn previously said he would work with Robbie again, so her return is a rather safe bet.
9 Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman
Gal Gadot's return as Wonder Woman is looking difficult at the moment. The actress did great with the role, imbuing Diana with a warmth that perfectly represented the character's kindness amid a cruel world. Gadot's Wonder Woman was never afraid to fight for what was right, and the actress' portrayal would be missed if the new DC Universe were to recast the role. Gadot's Wonder Woman 3 was canceled due to the new DC Universe having a different vision for the character than what director Patty Jenkins intended for the film. With the DC Universe's only announced Wonder Woman project being the Paradise Lost prequel series, Gadot's future is uncertain.
8 Jason Momoa’s Aquaman
Jason Momoa is returning in Gunn's new DC Universe — that much is known. However, the actor might not be coming back as Aquaman. Momoa has teased he will be playing Lobo, with Gunn claiming the actor will only play one DC role in the future. While seeing Momoa as Lobo would certainly prove to be entertaining, as the character is uniquely suited to the actor's talents and physicality, DC would be smarter to make his Aquaman canon to the DC Universe instead. Momoa revitalized Aquaman after years of the character being being played off as a joke in popular media, which is why his portrayal needs to continue.
7 Daniela Melchior’s Ratcatcher 2
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Daniela Melchior's Ratcatcher 2 could be labeled as the secret protagonist of Gunn's The Suicide Squad. The character was the perfect mix of tragedy, comedy, and immense powers. Ratcatcher 2 was the movie's heart, which helped the incredible franchise reboot. Gunn managed to do away with the somber tone and the edginess of the original Suicide Squad. It would make sense for Gunn to continue the story of Ratcacther 2 in the new DC Universe, with the character not having many ties to the old DCEU. Another point in Ratcatcher 2's favor is that Gunn gave Melchior a role in Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.
6 Idris Elba’s Bloodsport
Gunn is bringing back characters from The Suicide Squad in the new DC Universe, with Amanda Waller getting her own spinoff series, which will feature members from the Peacemaker series before that show returns for season 2 — with Gunn confirming Peacemaker season 2 will come after Superman: Legacy. Elba's Bloodsport was added to the movie to fulfill the role of Will Smith's Deadshot without recasting the character. However, the actor gave such an electrifying performance as Bloodsport that the character deserves to continue in the DC Universe more than Smith's. Bloodsport's gun technology, morals, and Superman connection make for an exciting return in the new DC Universe.
5 Sylvester Stallone’s King Shark
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Sylvester Stallone had a scene-stealing role in The Suicide Squad as King Shark. While Gunn's new position as DC's creative boss makes it so any The Suicide Squad character can more than likely appear in the new DC Universe, Stallone's role as King Shark is perhaps the easier to move from one universe to another. The character is a CGI creation that was mostly used as comedic relief in the film, barely being explored to the full extent of his potential. Gunn has shown he excels at imbuing CGI characters in superhero movies with personality and tragic backstories. King Shark's past has great potential if explored in the DC Universe.
4 Grace Caroline Currey’s Mary Marvel
Shazam! Fury of the Gods was far from a critical or commercial success, but that isn't to say that parts of it shouldn't continue on into the new DC Universe. Safe from the movie's criticisms was Grace Caroline Currey's Mary Marvel. The actress assumed both the civilian and hero sides of the character in the Shazam! sequel. Currey's role was praised by most, and the new DC Universe should include her, perhaps even as the new face of the Shazam franchise.
3 Mary Elizabeth Winstead’s Huntress
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Mary Elizabeth Winstead's Huntress was one of the highlights of DC's female-driven Birds of Prey movie. The film introduced several iconic DC female characters, and Winstead's Huntress showed great potential. While the movie was not the box office success it was expected to be, some characters could still find their way to the DC Universe. Due to her more limited role in the film in comparison to a character like Jurnee Smollett's Black Canary, Winstead's Huntress would be a better candidate for the DC Universe's clean slate. Huntress was a likable character with a set backstory and a huge potential for future stories.
2 Pierce Brosnan’s Doctor Fate
While Black Adam saw Pierce Brosnan's Doctor Fate die, the character's demise could always be retconned as an illusion in Gunn's new DC Universe to keep the fan-favorite portrayal of the mystic character from the movie. An easier road would be to simply not consider Black Adam canon to the new DC Universe, which Gunn is likely already doing. Dwayne Johnson has confirmed Black Adam will not be part of the DC Universe's Chapter One. The new DC Universe could bring Brosnan back as Doctor Fate and not touch on the character's death at all, keeping his version of the character alive and canon.
1 Aldis Hodge’s Hawkman
Aldis Hodge's Hawkman could also return in the new DC Universe, with Black Adam's Justice Society of America being a team with unbridled potential as part of Gunn's DC Universe, which will be more connected to the comics than the DCEU ever was. As the precursor to the Justice League, the JSA could have an important role in the DC Universe, with Hodge's Hawkman role in Black Adam setting him up as a possible leader/founding member of the team in the new DC Universe. Hawkman's mythology of resurrection can be explored in the new DC Universe if Hodge's version of the character remains canon.
