In a recent interview and follow-up post, James Gunn cleared up confusion about the Black Adam & Shazam 2 cameos. These scenes featured Harcourt and Economos. Some fans thought they were part of Gunn’s larger DCU plans. However, the DC Studios co-head has now set the record straight.
James Gunn Discredits Black Adam & Shazam 2 Cameos as Canon
In a July 21 interview with Den of Geek, the interviewer asked James Gunn if the cameos in Black Adam and Shazam: Fury of the Gods were part of the official DCU canon.
His blunt response quickly sparked online debates:
“They’re not canon! I hate it!”
However, Gunn clarified his tone and intent shortly after in a post on Threads, explaining:
“This is the kind of nonsense you have to look out for in these posts. I never said I hated either of those films — I said I didn’t like the way the 11th Street Kids were included, as I don’t think Harcourt was ever the warden of an underwater prison, and I don’t think Waller had anything to do with the Justice Society.”
It’s important to note that Gunn had no creative input in either cameo. He confirmed that he neither oversaw nor approved the usage of his characters in those scenes, which is why he doesn’t consider them part of the new DCU continuity.
Black Adam & Shazam 2: Continuity Issues from the Pre-DC Studios Era
The cameos of Harcourt and Economos created more confusion than cohesion. According to Gunn, these appearances clash with previously established dynamics—particularly Harcourt’s character arc in Peacemaker and The Suicide Squad. In Gunn’s DCU, Harcourt is shown to be hesitant about working under Amanda Waller, and Economos was depicted as a conflicted but loyal tech expert.
These brief scenes in Black Adam & Shazam 2 felt out of sync, not only with character motivations but also with the tone of their origin stories. Gunn added that these decisions were made before the formation of DC Studios, a time when there was no central vision or leadership overseeing the DC Universe.
Gunn’s Vision: A Clear Canon and Defined Universe
As DC shifts from the chaotic DCEU to a more structured DCU, James Gunn, therefore, stresses the need for narrative consistency. For that reason, he plans to keep projects like The Suicide Squad and Peacemaker Season 1 in canon. However, moving forward, he intends to leave out the disconnected cameos to maintain a cohesive storyline.
This decision is part of a broader effort to streamline DC storytelling and avoid the confusion that plagued the DCEU. As Gunn reshapes the universe, every character appearance will have purpose, weight, and approval from the top—unlike the past.
Why These Cameos Fell Flat
Ultimately, the cameos in Black Adam & Shazam 2 clearly serve as examples of what went wrong with the previous DCEU model. Not only did they lack emotional context, but they also missed the necessary narrative build-up—both of which are essential to quality storytelling. Furthermore, the fact that even the creator of those characters was unaware of their use highlights just how fractured the franchise had become.
Going forward, fans can expect more cohesion and intentionality under Gunn’s leadership. Whether you liked or disliked those scenes, it’s now clear: they don’t count, and they won’t return.
Stay tuned for the latest updates on DCU’s upcoming projects, and subscribe to DC Updates’ YouTube channel.
Patrick Webb