James Gunn teases Justice League plans for DC Universe, hinting at a possible team-up, but confirms that such a scenario has not yet materialized in the initial phase of his franchise. During an Entertainment Weekly interview about the upcoming Superman film, Gunn revealed that while a Justice League is on his radar, it has not yet taken shape in the world he is building.
Phase 1 Establishes New Heroes and Teams Before a Major Alliance
In January 2023, Gunn, who leads DC Studios and is the creative force behind the new Superman movie, unveiled the first slate of movies and TV shows for the new DC universe, labeling it Phase 1: Gods and Monsters. Despite the ambitious lineup, the Justice League did not appear among the initial titles. Gunn acknowledged the anticipation for a large ensemble but emphasized that it’s not in the immediate plans.
“But there is no Justice League in this world…not yet.”
—James Gunn, DC Studios Co-Head
When probed about whether a Justice League might connect with his bigger Gods and Monsters vision, Gunn confirmed the idea is possible but offered no detailed commitment, playfully responding in the affirmative.
The Justice Gang and Its Place in Superman’s World
Rather than the traditional Justice League, the cinematic landscape of Gunn’s Superman introduces the Justice Gang, a trio of superheroes led by Maxwell Lord, portrayed by Sean Gunn, connected to the tech giant LordTech. This team features Hawkgirl, also known as Kendra Saunders, played by Isabela Merced; Guy Gardner, a bold Green Lantern with a distinct hairstyle, played by Nathan Fillion; and Mister Terrific, depicted by Edi Gathegi, whose advanced T-spheres respond to his commands.
Gunn described the Justice Gang as noble but with nuances that set them apart from more sanctified portrayals of superhero teams. He explained that the Justice Gang, although good, is not necessarily saintly in their actions or principles.
David Corenswet Shares Insights on Superman and Team-Ups
In a separate conversation, Entertainment Weekly asked David Corenswet, who takes on the role of Superman, about his thoughts on joining a future Justice League under Gunn’s vision. Corenswet responded with cautious optimism, expressing that he prefers to experience surprises rather than speculate on what might happen.
“I don’t take it upon myself to think ahead in that kind of way, just because one would hate to get one’s hopes up about anything in particular and then have it go in another direction. What I like to do is stay blissfully ignorant, and then when James tells me what’s going to happen, I get to have a wonderful surprise. So if Justice League is in the back of his mind, that sounds great to me. I’ll put it at the back of my mind and we’ll see what happens.”
—David Corenswet, Actor (Superman)
Superman’s Setting and Key Characters Revealed
The upcoming Superman film, arriving in theaters on July 11, unfolds in a universe where humans have known about super-powered beings for centuries. David Corenswet’s Clark Kent, also called Kal-El, has been dating Lois Lane, played by Rachel Brosnahan, with their relationship an established aspect of the narrative. Lois is fully aware of Clark’s alien heritage as the first son of Krypton, while antagonist Lex Luthor, brought to life by Nicholas Hoult, leads LuthorCorp and seeks to eliminate Superman, whom he sees as a formidable “alien strongman.”
James Gunn provided more insight into his approach for the film, emphasizing the moral compass of Superman.
“I wanted to tell the story about someone who was truly good in a world that doesn’t value goodness, in a world that makes fun of basic kindness and basic human values,”
—James Gunn, Writer/Director
“The fact that he can fly and lift buildings and shoot laser beams out of his eyes was really secondary to who he was as a person and what he stood for.”
—James Gunn, Writer/Director
Future Developments in the DC Universe
Significant events unfold in both Superman and Peacemaker season 2—which is expected to premiere this fall on HBO Max—that will influence the overarching story in Gunn’s reimagined DC universe.
“both pretty important in terms of getting to the bigger story,”
—James Gunn, Writer/Director
He also teased that audiences can expect a post-credits scene in Superman, hinting at possible continuations, but clarified that the immediate follow-up is not guaranteed to be a straightforward sequel.
“Is it a straight-up Superman sequel? I would not say necessarily,”
—James Gunn, Writer/Director
The Road Ahead for the Justice League
With references to Kendra Saunders, Guy Gardner, Maxwell Lord, and Mister Terrific shaping a fresh heroic lineup, and with crucial developments arriving through Superman and Peacemaker, James Gunn teases Justice League plans for DC Universe as something still building in the background. As DC Studios branches into new territory under Gunn’s leadership, fans can expect additional surprises and the potential formation of iconic teams, even if the Justice League is not here just yet.
