A new era for the DC Universe is here with James Gunn and Peter Safran at the helm of DC Studios, and Gunn's teases of new DCU characters who might appear is a promising sign for the future. The initial announcement about DC Studios' new leadership came with a commitment from the co-CEOs to utilize certain characters that are already established. Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, and Harley Quinn were mentioned as cornerstones of the DCU's future. However, multiple teases have also made it clear that James Gunn's DC plans include bringing a multitude of new characters to the franchise.
James Gunn's commitment to introducing new DCU characters is exactly what the franchise needs to move forward. For years, Warner Bros. has struggled to truly get a shared universe inspired by DC Comics off the ground. The films that have been made have focused on the comics' most well-known characters as a means to establish the Justice League. But, introducing fresh heroes to the franchise gives it a brighter future and helps Gunn and Safran put their mark on the DCU. Doing so will allow DC Studios to introduce characters like Mister Terrific, Lobo, and more which audiences might not currently know but might love if adapted correctly.
The DCU Needs To Expand Beyond Batman & The Justice League
It makes sense for Batman, Superman, and the rest of the Justice League members to be at the forefront of the DCU. They are the most iconic characters that the brand has, but that does not mean that they are the only ones who can headline movies. Instead of constantly looking to reboot Batman and Superman, James Gunn's new DCU characters can be part of a conscious effort to expand the franchise in unexpected ways. Gunn has personally seen how well this can work, as he helped take the Guardians of the Galaxy from obscure comic characters to some of the most recognizable superheroes in Hollywood.
Continuing to use Batman and the Justice League is a smart move for DC Studios, but the franchise will also grow stale rather quickly if these heroes and those adjacent to them are the only ones who get attention. The DC Comics library is filled with hundreds of characters that could potentially lead upcoming DC movies or TV shows. The DCU has barely scratched the surface of going beyond the Justice League with heroes like Shazam and Blue Beetle. Gunn's apparent interest in Lobo, Mister Terrific, and other new DC characters is hopefully a sign that he intends to rapidly grow the franchise and introduce characters who otherwise have not received much attention.
Which Characters James Gunn’s DCU Needs To Introduce Next
If James Gunn's comic book movie history has told audiences anything, it is to expect the unexpected and more obscure characters than those audiences are already familiar with. Lobo and Mister Terrific are two examples of characters who have appeared in live-action TV shows before, but they have never been featured on the big screen with massive budgets. This could mean Gunn could revive plans for canceled DCU movies to bring Mister Miracle, Booster Gold, and the Justice League Dark to movie theaters. Of course, he also can help notable heroes like Batgirl, Nightwing, Green Lantern, and more get proper adaptations.
