James Gunn's DC Universe reboot plans have seemingly been confirmed by his frequent collaborator and actor Dave Bautista. In the months since it was announced the James Gunn and Peter Safran are now the co-CEOs of DC Studios, there has been a debate about what the two will do with the DC Universe. Both have ties to pre-existing and upcoming DC movies and shows, but speculation has continued that a full reboot could be in store. Gunn and Safran have so far only confirmed that a Superman reboot is coming as part of their slate and that Henry Cavill will not return. It has also been confirmed that Dwayne Johnson's Black Adam does not factor into the immediate future.As news of James Gunn's DCU slate approaches, a big hint of what he has planned has now been revealed by Dave Bautista. The Guardians of the Galaxy cast member spoke to Insider while promoting his new film Knock at the Cabin, and the topic of Gunn's DC plans was brought up. This led Bautista to state that Gunn is leaning in the direction of completely rebooting the DC Universe. The actor teased that the DCU reboot will allow Gunn and Safran to start over and use younger actors to play iconic roles.
I have had conversations with James about that but I think the direction he's leaning in, completely rebooting that whole universe, he's starting from scratch and starting younger and fresher and I think you need to do that.
James Gunn Rebooting The Entire DCU Makes The Most Sense
The idea that James Gunn will completely reboot the DCU will divide audiences if it proves to be true, but the plan makes the most sense for DC's future. There is certainly some excitement for the 2023 DC movies, which include Shazam: Fury of the Gods, The Flash, Blue Beetle, and Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, but several of them are also mired with some type of controversy. Gunn rebooting the DCU would mean fan-favorite actors like Gal Gadot, Ben Affleck, Jason Momoa, and Margot Robbie could be left out of the franchise's future. However, it is also possible that some of these actors will take on new roles, such as Momoa playing Lobo.
While discarding the movies and characters from the old DCEU might not be easy to accept, it is an easier way for Gunn and Safran to reshape the universe. Attempts to retcon the past movies and creative decisions to fit with the new DC future would be incredibly complicated thanks to how the various properties connect. If Henry Cavill's Superman and Dwayne Johnson's Black Adam are already out, removing any character connected to them should also happen. That would erase just about every DCU movie or show from canon. A franchise reboot allows Gunn to avoid such headaches and leave previous regimes' baggage behind too.
Would Peacemaker Stay As Part of the DCU Reboot?
A complete DCU reboot from James Gunn could be especially hard for him, though, thanks to Peacemaker. The hit HBO Max series and The Suicide Squad follow-up is supposed to get a second season in the near future. However, John Cena's Peacemaker and the rest of the show's characters include connections to older DCEU properties that will not be kept as canon. That could mean that Peacemaker season 2 does not happen after all. If it does, Gunn will have to find a creative way to explain how Peacemaker's past fits into the DCU future.
Source: Insider
