James Gunn’s ongoing work with the DC Universe will introduce a new supervillain group in 2026, marking the franchise’s third organized villain team. This addition comes as the DC reboot, which includes “James Gunn DC supervillains,” continues expanding its roster of antagonists alongside the evolving Justice Gang and their path toward forming the Justice League.
Recent reports reveal that the upcoming “Supergirl” film, directed by Craig Gillespie, will feature The Brigands, a brutal faction of space pirates and human traffickers serving as the primary antagonists. This development adds another layer to the growing collection of villain groups populating the DC Universe.
The Brigands and “Supergirl”’s Villainous Foes
The Brigands, the main adversaries in “Supergirl,” are led by Krem of the Yellow Hills, portrayed by Matthias Schoenaerts, whose alien appearance is reimagined for the film. Diarmaid Murtagh joins the cast as Drom Baxton, Krem’s second-in-command. This team is directly adapted from Tom King’s “Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow” comic series, indicating the movie’s faithfulness to the original story.
Unlike the comic’s broader villain lineup, Jason Momoa’s Lobo will not appear with The Brigands in this film, though his character is expected to make an impression through separate storylines and marketing. Kara Zor-El, played by Milly Alcock, will be accompanied by an intimate support group consisting of Ruthye (Eve Ridley) and the super-powered dog Krypto, showcasing a more focused team dynamic compared to other DC Universe projects.
This trend of villain assemblies has become prevalent in the DCU, evident from earlier introductions like the Justice Gang in “Superman,” which featured characters such as Guy Gardner (Nathan Fillion), Hawkgirl (Isabela Merced), and Mr. Terrific (Edi Gathegi). The inclusion of various enemy teams hints at a complex villainous network developing across the franchise.
Established Villain Groups within the DC Universe
The initial supervillain squad unveiled by James Gunn appeared in “Superman,” centered around Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor. This ensemble also included the Engineer (Maria Gabriela de Faria), Ultraman, and Eve Teschmacher (Sara Sampaio). Throughout the film, this team gradually fell apart, with each member following a unique fate that sets the stage for future story developments within the DC Universe.
Lex Luthor emerged as the architect behind the Boravia and Jarhanpur confrontations, driven by his envy of Superman and culminating in his public exposure and arrest. The Engineer was defeated but survived, while Ultraman—who was revealed as a clone created by Luthor—was lost into a black hole beneath the collapsing rift, a plot point unlikely to be revisited.
Eve Teschmacher proved to be an unexpected turn, motivated by her feelings for Jimmy Olsen (Skyler Gisondo), she betrayed Luthor by leaking evidence of his schemes. After brief captivity in Lex’s pocket universe, she was freed with other prisoners and continued her relationship with Jimmy.
Speculation suggests Lex might seek to ally with the Engineer again, though his current incarceration at Belle Reve presents an obstacle.
Alliance Between Lex Luthor and Rick Flag Sr.
One of the most compelling villain partnerships emerging in the DCU is between Lex Luthor and Rick Flag Sr., the latter portrayed by Frank Grillo in “Peacemaker” Season 2. Following Lex’s arrest in “Superman,” he resurfaces mid-season to forge this alliance, which intersects closely with the season’s concluding episodes.
This partnership is anticipated to continue into the 2027 film “Man of Tomorrow,” where Superman and Lex will temporarily unite to confront Brainiac, creating a rare situation where Luthor operates on opposing moral sides concurrently.
Rick Flag Sr. serves as a foil to Lex, evolving from a heroic figure introduced in “Creature Commandos” to a vengeful antagonist fixated on retribution over his son’s death. His harsh approach, including indifference to the loss of his own agents and secretive behavior regarding the QUC, estranged former allies such as Sasha Bordeaux (Sol Rodriguez) and Langston Fleury (Tim Meadows), who formed the organization Checkmate in response.
Flag Sr.’s view that existing prisons like Arkham and Belle Reve are inadequate for detaining super-powered individuals motivated his creation of Salvation—a specialized containment facility for metahumans. This development forms a strategic nexus with Lex Luthor, who is poised to leverage his resources in Flag’s plans, potentially orchestrating Superman’s imprisonment there.
The Growing Complexity of DC’s Villainous Landscape
With James Gunn at the helm, the DC Universe has been steadily constructing a network of antagonistic factions that complement its superhero narratives. The unveiling of The Brigands alongside the resurrected Justice Gang and the new Lex-Rick Flag Sr. alliance underscores the franchise’s layered approach to villainy, enriching the world-building and deepening conflict possibilities.
This multifaceted structuring of villain teams sets up numerous plot lines for upcoming movies and series through 2026 and beyond. Fans can expect intertwining stories where heroes and villains alike experience shifting loyalties and complex motivations, signaling an intense and unpredictable path forward for the DC cinematic saga.
“Eve Teschmacher, meanwhile, was one of the film’s greatest twists. Infatuated with Skyler Gisondo’s Jimmy Olsen, she turned on Lex by leaking evidence of his crimes. After a brief imprisonment in his pocket universe, she was later released alongside his other captives, free to go on more dates with Jimmy.”
– Source
