Sean Gunn has been officially cast as Maxwell Lord in the upcoming DCU Superman film, as confirmed by Gunn himself during a recent appearance at Northern FanCon. The highly anticipated reboot, directed by James Gunn, is scheduled to arrive in theaters worldwide on July 11, 2025, marking Warner Bros. Pictures’ first DC Studios feature to launch the revitalized cinematic universe. The confirmation settles months of speculation about how Sean Gunn would fit into the DCU, given his recent multi-role success within the franchise’s animation and live-action projects.
Known for his standout performances in both Marvel and DC adaptations, Sean Gunn previously stole the spotlight in Creature Commandos as G.I. Robot and returned as the quirky Weasel. While he is expected to continue lending his voice to these roles in potential future live-action appearances, his portrayal of Maxwell Lord in Superman marks his most substantial on-camera villain role to date. This move signifies a pivotal shift in the new DCU, which is under the creative direction of his brother, James Gunn, whose distinct storytelling approach blends action, humor, and emotional depth.
This new version of Maxwell Lord is expected to be a multifaceted antagonist, drawing inspiration from his comic book roots rather than solely from the character’s previous on-screen depiction in Wonder Woman 1984. Lord, previously played by Pedro Pascal, was portrayed as a full-blown villain, but Sean Gunn described his own interpretation as
a little bit more grounded, obviously, as a human being. And so that’s a character that I’ll tackle in a more traditional way.
Set photos hint at the influence of Maxwell Lord, with the “LordTech” logo visible and several major heroes, including Green Lantern Guy Gardner, Hawkgirl, and Mr. Terrific, appearing to work for his character’s company. This setup hints at a more nuanced role, where Lord is not entirely evil but serves as a significant obstacle for Superman and his allies.
When asked about his involvement, Sean Gunn shared,
I asked [James Gunn] recently if I can even say that I’m in the movie [and] he was like, ‘You can say you’re kinda in the movie.’ So I’m kinda in the new Superman.
Although fans speculated Maxwell Lord might debut in Peacemaker season 2 or another DCU project, his presence in Superman suggests a broader strategic role within the evolving narrative, especially as Lord appears to have his own team of superheroes in the field.
The Superman film stars David Corenswet as Superman/Clark Kent, Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor, joined by a diverse and notable supporting cast. James Gunn’s unique approach is set to reimagine Superman as a hero driven by compassion and the belief in humanity’s inherent goodness, setting a fresh tone for the character and the universe at large.
The decision to cast Sean Gunn as Maxwell Lord is anticipated to have a significant impact on the direction of the DCU, particularly as it introduces a classic comic antagonist in a more grounded, complex way. With the film’s release set for July 2025, fans and industry observers alike are eager to see how this new portrayal of Maxwell Lord will influence future stories and character dynamics across the DCU.
