James Gunn Confirms Darkseid Won’t Be the DCU’s Big Villain
Following Peacemaker Season 2, many fans speculated that James Gunn might be teasing the arrival of Darkseid in the DCU. This was especially because the planet Salvation in the comics is tied to his Parademon army. However, Gunn clarified this in a roundtable interview with New Rockstars and Screen Crush. He confirmed that the character won’t be the DCU’s central villain anytime soon.
Gunn Explains Why He Isn’t Using a Main Big Villain
Gunn explained that Zack Snyder’s portrayal of Darkseid in Zack Snyder’s Justice League was a major reason for avoiding the character’s return right now. He also noted the similarities between Darkseid and Marvel’s Thanos, which influenced his decision:
“Aspects of Darkseid and Thanos are very similar; they look very similar, and because of that, to give you more of an answer than you expected, using Darkseid as the big bad is not necessarily the thing. For a lot of reasons, because Zack [Snyder] did it so cool in his way and because of Thanos and Marvel.”
This shows Gunn’s respect for Snyder’s work while strategically differentiating the DCU from Marvel’s universe.
The Legacy of Darkseid in the DCEU
Jack Kirby created the character in 1970, which means he actually predates Thanos, created by Jim Starlin and Mike Friedrich in 1973. Despite this, due to Thanos’ MCU success, general audiences often perceive Darkseid as a “copy,” even though it has historically been the opposite.
Zack Snyder had extensive plans for the character in his DCEU. The character was played by Ray Porter in Zack Snyder’s Justice League. Snyder intended him to be the major villain in his planned Justice League trilogy. In this storyline, he would corrupt Superman and attempt to conquer Earth in an apocalyptic scenario.
Gunn’s New Direction for the DCU
Instead of focusing on a single “Thanos-level” villain, James Gunn is taking the DCU in a new direction. He plans to feature multiple recurring villains. These include Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor, Ulrich Thomsen’s Sinestro, and Frank Grillo’s Rick Flag Sr. This approach allows the DCU to explore a variety of threats and storylines instead of relying on a single universe-dominating villain.
Will Darkseid Appear in the Future?
Although the character won’t be the central villain, he may still appear in the upcoming Mister Miracle animated series, based on Tom King’s acclaimed comic run. It is unclear whether the project will be canon to the DCU or a standalone story. However, it is expected to present the character as a personal antagonist rather than a universe-threatening force.
Ultimately, James Gunn’s vision respects Snyder’s legacy while establishing a fresh path for the DCU. He is prioritizing multiple villain arcs and new stories over a single, dominant adversary. Fans can still look forward to the character’s presence, but in a more contained and nuanced way.
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