DC Studios has confirmed that two major Justice League Members won’t appear in the DCU for at least two years. These heroes are The Flash and Aquaman.
This confirmation came directly from James Gunn, director of Superman and co-CEO of DC Studios, during an appearance on the Happy Sad Confused podcast. When asked specifically about these characters, Gunn stated:
“I wouldn’t say the next two years for either of those characters.”
Why These Justice League Members Are Being Held Back
At the moment, the current DCU slate already features a wide range of upcoming titles, including Superman, Lanterns, Supergirl, The Brave and the Bold, Clayface, Peacemaker Season 2, and a new Wonder Woman project. However, The Flash and Aquaman remain noticeably absent from any official announcements or development updates.
Instead, DC Studios is turning the spotlight toward different heroes. Many of them haven’t had major roles in past live-action films. For example, the new DCU will introduce characters like Hawkgirl and Guy Gardner’s Green Lantern early on. This marks a clear shift in the studio’s focus.
This approach shows a deliberate effort by James Gunn and his team to build a more balanced world. Instead of reintroducing every major Justice League Member immediately, they’re saving legacy characters for later phases. This helps prevent overcrowding. It also gives newer heroes time to grow within the evolving DCU.
By gradually introducing iconic figures like The Flash and Aquaman, DC Studios is setting the stage for a more thoughtful and sustainable universe—one that avoids the rushed, high-stakes model that plagued earlier DC projects.
With that in mind, DC Studios is now taking a more measured approach. By delaying the return of high-profile Justice League Members like The Flash and Aquaman, the studio can build a stronger foundation for the universe. Although there have been Easter eggs hinting at their presence, no casting news or standalone projects have been announced yet.
At this rate, fans will likely have to wait until after 2027 to see either of these characters officially join the main DCU storyline.
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Patrick Webb