DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn has teased that major casting announcements for the DC Universe are just months away from being revealed. This news comes as fans eagerly anticipate news on who will be joining the live-action DC Universe in the coming years.
In response to a fan’s question on Twitter asking whether there would be any major casting announcements in the next six months, Gunn simply replied with a “Yes.” Alongside co-CEO Peter Safran, Gunn is currently leading the creative vision for the DC Universe’s 8 to 10-year plan, which will stretch across movies, television, animation, and other mediums.
Yes
— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) February 18, 2023
Earlier this year, Gunn and DC Studios announced the first slate of projects for the DC Universe titled “Chapter 1: Gods and Monsters.” This slate includes movies such as “Superman: Legacy,” “The Brave and the Bold,” and “Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow,” as well as shows like “Booster Gold” and “Lanterns.” With these projects’ announcements, fans were thrilled to hear that beloved characters like Green Lanterns Hal Jordan and John Stewart, Robin Damian Wayne, and others would be joining the DC Universe. However, who will take on these iconic roles is still unknown.
The upcoming projects will see a recasting of some DC Universe characters. Despite Henry Cavill’s cameo in the “Black Adam” and the rumored return as the Man of Steel, he will not be playing Clark Kent in “Superman: Legacy,” which Gunn is currently writing. Gunn clarified that the new DC Universe Superman will be younger than 40 years old, and the next Batman may be a few years older.
While actors Ben Affleck and Michael Keaton will reprise their respective Batmen in the upcoming “The Flash” movie, Gunn confirmed that a new actor will be cast to play the Dark Knight in the future of the DC Universe. This Batman will also not be the same Bruce Wayne played by Robert Pattinson in director Matt Reeves’ “The Batman” universe, which is confirmed to be an out-of-continuity DC Elseworlds story.
Returning actors for their DC Universe roles are uncertain, including Gal Gadot’s return as Wonder Woman. In December 2022, Gunn responded to a rumor that Gadot had been removed as the hero, stating, “I’m not sure where you’re getting that we ‘booted’ Gal,” but he did not provide additional context. Actor Dwayne Johnson has shared that his portrayal of Black Adam will not appear in the “first chapter of storytelling” for Gunn and Safran’s DC Universe but may show up in “future DC Multiverse chapters.” At the same time, Shazam! actor Zachary Levi has seemingly debunked rumors that he is out as the electrified hero
Gunn has also hinted at the possibility of fan-favorite characters joining the DC Universe, such as Nightwing, but fans will have to wait for the casting announcements, which Gunn confirms will be arriving in the next six months
With James Gunn and Peter Safran leading the way, fans can expect exciting news and developments for the DC Universe in the near future. From a new Superman to a new Batman, the recasting of some iconic roles has made fans even more excited about what’s to come. With the upcoming casting announcements, fans can look forward to learning which talented actors will bring these beloved characters to life in the DC Universe.
Stay tuned for the latest updates on DCU’s upcoming projects, and subscribe to DC Updates’ YouTube channel.
