Colin Farrell disappeared into the role of Oz Cobb in The Penguin. Even though the actor didn’t enjoy the makeup and prosthetics process, it proved to be worth it as he claimed a Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Limited Series, Anthology Series, or a Motion Picture Made for Television.

Make no mistake about it: HBO’s The Penguin was one of the best television shows of 2024. Critics and audiences raved about this latest instalment in Matt Reeves’ isolated corner of the DC Universe, comparing it favorably to shows such as The Sopranos and The Wire. Naturally, awards chatter followed – especially for Farrell and Cristin Miliot’s outstanding performances as Oz and Sofia Falcone respectively. Everyone’s work was recognized in the end, as The Penguin received three Golden Globe nominations, though Farrell was the only winner of the bunch.

This is Colin Farrell’s third Golden Globe win, but it also catapulted him into an elite category. He’s now the third person to have played a comic book supervillain and won a Golden Globe for his performance. The previous winners were Heath Ledger and Joaquin Phoenix, who received the plaudits for playing the Joker in 2008’s The Dark Knight and 2019’s Joker respectively.

Discussing what it means to be joining this prestigious group of actors, Farrell said the following in the press room after his win (via Variety):

“To have your name just uttered in the same sentence as those performances, honestly, it’s lovely, but still I’m more of just a fan of it all! I don’t feel like I’m part of that pantheon. Joaquin and Heath, just two extraordinary and honest great actors.”

Social media came alive after Farrell’s win, with the general consensus being that he deserved it for disappearing into the role of Oz. Various X users praised his performance and said the inclusion into the same club as Phoenix and Ledger was more than merited. Another commentator pointed out how DC continues to dominate at the Golden Globes, writing, “That’s DC for you.”

Unquestionably, The Penguin‘s success is a boost for the DC brand as a whole. While it’s considered separate from the main universe that James Gunn and Peter Safran are creating, it was much-needed good news after a series of poorly received efforts such as The Flash and Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. The Penguin is testament that not only can good comic book properties be made for fans, but they can also appeal to wider audiences and be in the running for awards.

In terms of Farrell’s Oz, he’s set to return for The Batman Part II; however, that movie appears to be constantly delayed and pushed out further and further. At this point, don’t be surprised if it turns into a Batman Beyond story since everyone becomes aged out of their roles.

At the time of writing, a second season of The Penguin hasn’t been officially announced. Colin Farrell confirmed he would return if asked and mentioned how he has shared ideas of where the story could go with showrunner Lauren LeFranc. After the nominations and win at the 2025 Golden Globe Awards, it’s more than likely the powers that be will give the thumbs-up for the next chapter in Oz’s rise to the top of Gotham City’s underworld.

Batman may be on the back burner for DC, but James Gunn’s extended world continues to spin. In addition to his Superman movie, Kal-El’s cousin will make her solo film debut in Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow.

Gunn’s universe has already gone to task in reinventing the brand and he has recently added a familiar face to the mix. According to the Dune actor himself, Jason Momoa has been cast as the villain, Lobo. Momoa’s previous work in the DC universe is not cause for concern. After playing Arthur Curry in two Aquaman films, he will return to DC as one of his favorite characters. Momoa took to Instagram to officially drop the news. He posted a quote from an interview several years back about his hopes for his comic book future.

“I collect comics, and I don’t do so much anymore, but he was always my favorite, and I always wanted to play Lobo, because I’m like, ‘Hello? It’s the perfect role.'”

Momoa indicated that no one would have to twist his arm to audition for Lobo in the future. Patience is a virtue because, as Momoa succinctly said in his post, “They called.”

Momoa has now been confirmed to portray the role he has been gunning for in a surprising twist of fate.

Lobo is no Aquaman

James Gunn came into control of the DC brand at just the right moment. For the past decade, DC has been trailing behind its rival Marvel in terms of quality. But following the magnum opus, Endgame, there was a void to be filled. Marvel could never quite top the film and now it is DC’s time to shine. The success of Matt Reeves’ Batman started a butterfly effect that has created a new era for DC. Since Gunn took over as the creative head of the brand, he has been making waves.

Superman is one of the most anticipated films of 2025 and Supergirl already carries some heat. The role of Kara Zor-El has been awarded to House of the Dragon actor Milly Alcock. The young performer portrayed Rhaenyra Targaryen in the first half of Season 1. Jason Momoa will add to the high-profile film as a veteran of DC. His new character, however, varies distinctly from the rambunctious and fun-loving Aquaman. The illegitimate son of Queen Atlanna of Atlantis, Arthur never thought he would have real responsibilities. His desire to do good contradicts his half-brother Orm’s need for control.

In Supergirl, Momoa will lean more toward Orm on the personality scale. Lobo is an anti-hero character, first introduced to DC Comics in 1983. Hailing from the utopian planet of Czarnia, Lobo becomes a bounty hunter of the stars. After falling out of favor, the character was revitalized in the ’90s. While he was meant to be a parody of heroic characters such as Marvel’s Wolverine, he became a hit with fans — including Momoa. Viewers will have to wait for some time for the release of Supergirl, but in the meantime, can read up on some of Momoa’s favorite comic book characters.

James Gunn and DC have won the internet for the day with the new teaser trailer for the upcoming Superman movie. While we were all wondering how the new reboot of the DCU would work out, it seems that Gunn and his team have been in the kitchen cooking up something special.

The cameo-laden trailer ignores little things like dialogue, focusing instead on human expression, motion, and Superman doing super things. We see people reacting to him, from the average, everyday citizen to Lex Luthor, the mere presence of the Man of Steel drawing out hope and adulation or hatred and fear. It’s a great trailer, hopefully one that heralds a fantastic movie, but one scene more than any other makes me think that this might just be a banger, folks.

During the latter part of the trailer, there is a scene of a massive monster’s foot crashing down, causing gas tanks to fly in all directions, with a young girl just moments away from grievous injury. Superman zooms into the frame, wrapping himself around the girl to protect her, absorbing the hellacious impact of the tanks, broken glass, and other shrapnel.

Other Superman movies have often led with him doing the extraordinary on a grand scale. Flying at superspeed to snatch someone out of the air, somehow managing to do it without smearing them all over the place from the impact. Or maybe catching a plane, or hurling someone into the sun. This scene is more simple, a defining moment for the character and a display of his approach to the concept of collateral damage that was used as a central crux in the story of the Snyderverse.

The message is loud and clear that, for Gunn’s Superman, collateral damage is not okay. The fights this Superman will endure are not careless romps spent throwing his enemies through buildings. This is further hinted at later in the trailer, as we see him fighting someone in an empty stadium, and it feels likely that Superman will have drawn them there as a way to keep others safe.

Right now, people feel like they want someone to fight for them. Not for “the greater good,” or loftier ideals that are often more conceptual than based in reality, but for them. Threats in the world today feel more personal, more real. People who feel afraid want a hero who is willing to put themselves between them and the danger. At times, it feels like the powerful among us are willing to sacrifice normal people for their own ends, so seeing the most powerful person of all take such care to protect a young child really strikes a chord.

What this new Superman needs to give us is the birth of hope, the idea that every innocent life is worth saving. Gunn is a talented director who usually plumbs the emotional depths of his subjects — and his audience — very well. The use of this scene feels deliberately designed to let us know that this Superman lives up to the old ideals.

Classically, Superman has always been willing to avoid a fight. He will defend those who need defending and will save those who need saving, but if he can do it without hurting anyone, that is his preferred method.

It is this stance that lets us know that when he is forced to fight, to go toe to toe with an enemy, that enemy truly is a villain. It seems that we will once again have this classic Superman back on the big screen, the type who would give his life in exchange for yours, because he truly believes you are equals.

The new teaser trailer for James Gunn’s upcoming Superman movie is, frankly, incredible. It hits all the right notes and sets up the new Superman as an emotionally affecting look at a beloved hero, not a misplaced reimagining of an already great recipe. We suspect you just have one burning question.

What’s up with Green Lantern‘s hairdo?

Nathan Fillion’s Green Lantern character appears to have been given the interesting fashion choice of a haircut that looks like Lord Farquaad watched the original Star Trek series and decided he really wanted to look like Spock.

While it is a close approximation to a haircut that this Green Lantern, Guy Gardner, sported in some of his comic book appearances from the 80s, it’s definitely something that many internet citizens will likely feel the director could have left on the cutting room floor, so to speak.

I’m not going to lie; I am actually here for it. Every superhero being too much on the polished side and overly modernized rapidly becomes boring, and Gardner’s character has always been interesting because of who he is and how he reacts to the world around him, not because of how he looks. His bowl cut is a trademark look, and it would be a shame to lose it when that is unnecessary.

Famously antagonistic, Gardner is the type of guy who would love to take a shot at Superman, so watching him march aggressively toward the Man of Steel in the trailer perfectly sets the tone for the type of role he is likely to play in the story, which tends to be a thorn in the side of almost everyone around him, good guys and bad.

Based on the trailer, I am perfectly happy to let the Superman team cook and see what they have in store for us, as they might weave a story that wins us all over. Personally, I never really fell in love with the Synderverse and found the attempted exploration of a man removed from humanity to be a little shallow and undermined by early story choices. I am already finding a bit more heartfelt honesty in Gunn’s project, based on the teaser trailer alone.

Maybe it is age talking, but no actor has yet to top Reeves and his portrayal of both Superman and Clark Kent for me, although we do get small hints that David Corenswet’s Clark will manage to separate himself from his Superman persona in a tangible way. When running through a crowd, he awkwardly tries to move around the uncaring masses despite being a head taller than them, and his gait as he runs is slightly awkward without being goofy, hinting at similar subtle body language that Reeves used to create his version of Clark Kent.

All in all, there are enough signs in the trailer to let us know that Gunn and crew are heading in the right direction, and that includes Gardner’s bowl cut, even if none of us will be running to the barber to emulate it any time soon.

Watch out, MCU — the DCU has arrived. Only time will tell whether James Gunn’s attempt to reboot DC into something that can be a real rival to Marvel will prove successful, but this first trailer for his Superman movie has certainly got the fans excited. With nary an Iron Man-like quip in earshot, and a stirring cover of the classic John Williams theme, the new film starring David Corenswet as the superhero that started it all promises to be a beautifully back-to-basics comic book adaptation.

That said, Gunn still has to create a shared universe with this one, and the trailer teases how Corenswet’s Big Blue will immediately be living in a world populated by other costumed heroes and filled with world-ending threats. In just 2 minutes 19 seconds, the Superman teaser trailer manages to squeeze in a whole bunch of major DC characters. Here’s all of them, including a couple you might not have spotted.

Superman/Clark Kent

Brilliantly subverting expectations, the Superman trailer throws Corenswet’s suited and booted Superman at us right off the bat instead of building up to him. In another unexpected move, it opens with a bloodied and beaten Superman, promising that this is a version of the character who is human and vulnerable and isn’t some messianic god-like figure (looking at you, Zack).

Lois Lane

Lois Lane fans, rejoice! It looks like Rachel Brosnahan’s ace reporter will be a huge presence in the film. Suitably, she’s the next major character glimpsed after Supes, as we see her walking through the Daily Planet bullpen and sharing a loaded glance with Corenswet’s Kal-El, now in his everyday guise as the mild-mannered — and messy-haired — Clark Kent.

Jonathan Kent

Next, we see a wholesome moment as Clark bonds with his adoptive father, Jonathan Kent (Pruitt Taylor Vince), on the steps of the Kent farmhouse in Kansas. This is quietly a huge reinvention of the cinematic Superman story as it looks like Pa Kent has survived to see his son become a superhero, in contrast to both the 1978 film and Man of Steel.

Krypto

Here he is, the star of the show! Honestly, this movie might be called Superman but something tells us Krypto will be everyone’s favorite character come next July. James Gunn, king of the scene-stealing animal characters, has finally given us the Silver Age sidekick in a live-action movie. He’s even got his own red cape and superpowers!

Lex Luthor

No, it’s not Agent 47 from Hitman. In just one shot, Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor immediately marks himself as potentially the most dangerous iteration of the character we’ve yet seen on film. It’s hard to imagine Gene Hackman or Jesse Eisenberg’s Luthor waving a gun around and looking threatening. Get ready for a Lex who’s a match for Supes in looks, youth, and charisma.

Guy Gardner/Green Lantern

Good news: Green Lantern is back on the big screen for the first time since Ryan Reynolds and his CGI suit! Bad news: it ain’t Hal Jordan. Instead, it’s Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner, somehow looking even more ridiculous than his last DC role (as The Detachable Kid in The Suicide Squad). For those perturbed by that bowlcut, don’t worry, some more serious Green Lantern content is just around the corner in the form of Lanterns.

Mr. Terrific

X-Men: First Class‘ Edi Gathegi will appear as Guy Gardner’s teammate, Mr. Terrific. It’s currently unclear exactly what team this is, but it looks like their HQ is Stagg Industries. This highly suggests the foursome (we’ll meet the other two in a second) is an adaptation of the Terrifics. The smartest man on DC’s earth, a later clip shows Mr. T’s drone-like T-Spheres protecting him from gunfire.

Hawkgirl

Isabela Merced has managed to instantly shake off the stigma of Madame Web by joining the DC universe as Hawkgirl. Hawkgirl is the third member of Mr. Terrific’s team. Kendra Saunders is either the reincarnation of an Egyptian immortal or an alien warrior, depending on the version, so we’ll see what’s in store for Merced’s take. Don’t expect any connection to Black Adam‘s Hawkman.

Kelex

Why is Superman crying over a funky-looking robot buddy? We’re guessing this is Kelex, the Kryptonian android who guards the Fortress of Solitude. It seems poor Kelex will get destroyed over the course of the film, suggesting an enemy — perhaps Lex — will storm the Fortress. The death of Kelex no doubt hits Clark hard as it means he’s lost yet another connection to his homeworld.

Metamorpho

Metamorpho may look like a villain, but he’s actually one of the good guys. Gotham‘s Anthony Carrigan returns to the worlds of DC to play Rex Mason, an archaeologist who uncovered the wrong ancient artifact and became transformed into a being with an ever-shifting elemental form. Every superhero team needs a tragic hero, à la the Hulk, and Metamorpho is the Terrifics’.

Elsewhere, there’s some kind of flame-breathing dragon creature and a giant glowy eyeball thing shown attacking Metropolis at different times. Forgive me if I’m wrong, but these don’t appear to be direct lifts of any specific comic book critter. What we can say, though, is that 2025’s Superman will embrace the Last Son of Krypton’s long and storied legacy like no other film before it. Get ready to look up (at the cinema screen) come next July 11.

The Superman trailer is here and, yeah, sure, it offers our first look at David Corenswet’s Man of Steel in action, but you know what else it does? It reveals Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor, too. Ask the Joker or Thanos and they will tell you that any superhero is only as good as their villain, and the bald-headed billionaire is one of the finest in comic book lore. Even so, it’s been a fair few years since a new definitive take on the LexCorp CEO hit screens. Could Hoult be it?

It’s too early to weigh it on that, as the trailer doesn’t give us a proper taste of his portrayal of Lex, only featuring a few shots that allow us a glimpse at how he’ll look in the part. One thing we can say right away is that it looks like James Gunn has written him a more dynamic, action-oriented interpretation of the character, as Hoult’s Luthor is shown waving a gun around. So it seems his Lex will be more willing to get his hands dirty than most.

There’s still a lot of reservation about the Nosferatu star — who auditioned for the role of Superman first — taking on the part, but at least it seems the skepticism is starting to thaw. “He’s not who I would have picked, but I don’t hate it,” reads one bit of faint praise.

Some, at least, are ready for the Hot Lex Summer to come in 2025.

There’s just one problem: Hoult’s gun-toting Lex is leaving people confused. Is this a Superman reboot or a reboot of the Hitman franchise?

Meanwhile, those who are terminally online can only see TikTok comedian Dan Henstschel.

Those who have a “yearning for evil bald young men,” this is your time.

This is an interesting time for our first tease at Hoult’s Lex to drop, seeing as the last cinematic incarnation of the supervillain just opened up about how playing the role has negatively impacted his career. Jesse Eisenberg appeared as Luthor in Batman v Superman, as well as for a cameo in Justice League, and his tic-ridden tech bro portrayal didn’t hit the spot for many fans. If you’re wondering why Eisenberg has been in fewer blockbusters since, he claims that the backlash to his Lex cost him roles.

With multiple acclaimed projects under his belt, Hoult definitely didn’t need the role of Lex so hopefully he won’t come to regret it like Eisenberg has. Gunn has promised that Hoult could be the most comics-accurate take on Luthor we’ve ever had on the big screen, so that should certainly do something to appease the antis. Movie Lex has typically been presented as a broadly comedic character — see Gene Hackman, Kevin Spacey, and Eisenberg — so it’s about time we had a version who feels like a real threat to his Kryptonian white whale.

And, if all else fails and the DCU falls flat on its face right out the gate, at least Hoult now knows that he’s a shoe-in for the next Hitman film.

Well, folks, we made it. It’s been nearly two years since James Gunn and Peter Safran gave us the lowdown on what we could expect from the new DC Universe, and at the top of the pile was a brand-new Superman movie for a brand-new generation of fans. Fast forward to now, and we’ve finally gotten a glimpse of this brave new world that’s all but destined to rescue superhero cinema from itself.

From the jump, we see Superman crash down into the Arctic, face bloodied and body busted up. Immediately, it becomes apparent that David Corenswet’s Superman is far from invincible; a trait that reveals itself as more and more crucial as the trailer goes on. Indeed, his vulnerability makes every action and setback (be it physical or emotional) that much more meaningful.

Subsequent sneak peeks include Clark Kent’s bashful demeanor in and around his workplace, an achingly intimate father-son relationship with Jonathan Kent, and taking some rather vulgar abuse from a public that has no love for superheroes. And yet, he perseveres, going out of his way to rescue a little girl and stepping up as a symbol of hope for the war-torn country of Boravia; one that other superheroes (such as Guy Gardner and Hawkgirl) can feel proud to rally around.

And that’s just the emotional meat and potatoes of what we’re in for. An awe-inspiring arrangement of John Williams’ timeless flair gives goosebumps throughout, and we get a sense of what’s hopefully the big role that Krypto will be playing in the film (he’s seen here pulling Superman out of the Arctic and back to Metropolis).

Indeed, we are, as the kids say, back.

But if this trailer is any indication, it’s not just the DC fandom that will be feasting next summer, nor will it stop at the entire pop subculture of superhero media. No, the whole world will be better for this film, because this is a world in need of healing.

Indeed, as communities shrink and people continue to divide themselves amidst all the social and geopolitical paranoia, it seems as though we add another layer of irony to our interactions every other day, while honesty becomes more and more radical. This metamorphosis can be tracked in the public’s relationship to superhero media; as time goes on, superhero movies seem more and more committed to poking fun at themselves and lessening their sincerity, and audiences have responded to that declining self-respect with their own boredom and cynicism. Even something like The Boys, as dramatically competent as it is, regretfully thrives on these attitudes.

Enter Superman, a film that not only reimagines the world’s very first superhero and all the kindness and sincerity he stood for, but very obviously loves being a superhero movie. Safran himself described Corenswet’s Man of Steel as “a kindness in a world that thinks of kindness as old fashioned.” That, ladies and gentlemen, is the superhero and the story that we need; no more contrived stakes, no more power fetishes, and no more SSU crap that’s held together with week-old Elmer’s glue.

No, it’s time for superhero movies to love being superhero movies again, and who better to usher that in than Superman, whose entire being is rooted in that unwavering love for and belief in humanity? Mark July 11 on your calendars, folks; we’re flying high with this one.

Zack Snyder’s Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice promised to be the big one in 2016 – the blockbuster to cement the DC Extended Universe as the MCU’s biggest challenger. Now, eight years later, one of its stars believes his performance harmed his career.

The expectations for Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice were through the roof. For the first time on the big screen, the Bat of Gotham and the Last Son of Krypton were going to square off. It would be the greatest cinematic crossover since Freddy Krueger and Jason Voorhees stabbed each other in Freddy vs. Jason, or the Xenomorph and Yautja fought for the right to be the best murderous extraterrestrial in Alien vs. Predator.

Unfortunately, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice received a critical beatdown that didn’t require any Kryptonite spears to do damage, receiving a 29% critical approval score and 63% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes. It also resulted in the infamous sad Affleck meme where poor Ben Affleck appears devastated to be involved in the press tour. The reception sent Warner Bros. and DC into crisis mode – a state they haven’t quite recovered from.

Audience and critics took many issues with the movie, particularly Jesse Eisenberg’s Lex Luthor. Now Eisenberg has finally spoken up about the Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice backlash and how it affected his career. Appearing on the Armchair Expert podcast, the actor said:

“I was in this Batman movie and the Batman movie was so poorly received, and I was so poorly received. I’ve never said this before and it’s kind of embarrassing to admit, but I genuinely think it actually hurt my career in a real way, because I was poorly received in something so public. I’ve been in poorly received things that just don’t see the light of day, and for the most part, no one knows, but this was so public, and I don’t read notices or reviews or movie press or anything, so I was unaware of how poorly it was received.”

Eisenberg’s comments did the rounds on X, with various users having their say. Some said it was his fault that he put in such a terrible performance as Lex, while others laid the blame squarely at Snyder’s feet. One commentator, in particular, didn’t hold back: “Snyder ruins everything he touches. Sad to see!”

Even if someone is a fan of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, there’s no disputing that Eisenberg’s version of Lex feels unfamiliar to the general audience. He comes across more like a caffeine-fueled Mark Zuckerberg from The Social Network mixed with the enigma of the Riddler than he does the Man of Steel’s greatest foe. 

At the same time, the massacred theatrical cut did his character no favors, as most of Lex’s complex grand plan ended up on the editing room’s floor. If someone watches the director’s cut of the film, his scheme makes more sense. Maybe if that version of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice had been released in the first place, audiences would have reacted differently to Eisenberg’s Lex. Regardless, Eisenberg’s time as Lex is well and truly over. Let’s see how Nicholas Hoult’s version of the character fares in 2025’s Superman.

What’s that, in the sky? Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s the MCU’s greatest threat to date. After over a decade of shooting itself in the foot, DC might just finally have got its act together. Our first look at next year’s Superman is here at long last, and even though it’s only 30 seconds long folks are already foreseeing that the DCU is about to be the new superhero movie franchise of steel.

While the full trailer doesn’t go live until Thursday, DC has dropped this 30-second promo (yes, it’s a teaser trailer for a teaser trailer) which is leaving Superman lovers blindsided. Cleverly keeping David Corenswet’s Kal-El out of the limelight, and instead teasing the city of Metropolis, the Daily Planet, and Rachel Brosnahan’s Lois Lane, this first look is a masterclass in building up hype and awe for the Last Son of Krypton’s return to the skies, and our screens.

It promises such a traditional yet powerful superhero tale that Marvel’s Kevin Feige might well be quaking in his baseball cap…

The teaser trailer for Superman‘s teaser trailer is here, and it’s teasing something special

As scored to John Murphy’s gorgeous remix of John Williams’ classic theme, with tantalizing glimpses of Superman flying through the Arctic (get ready for the Fortress of Solitude!), this Superman first look is everything the fans could’ve asked for. It’s delightfully quintessential for a genre that’s become more and more reliant on multiversal crossovers to stay fresh. With his big first DCU movie, Gunn looks to be on a mission to prove that going back to basics isn’t a bad thing.

And, going by these first reactions, it looks like a lot of fans would agree with him. All it apparently takes is 30 seconds of people squinting at the sun and a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it look at the back of Superman’s head for everyone to lose their minds.

Some don’t even need to see the trailer, they’re instantly ready to hook the film into their veins.

Superman’s flying high again and the tears are already falling.

And can we take a moment to appreciate how perfect the choice of tagline is? “Look up” works literally, as a hint at the film’s themes of hope and optimism, and also as a promise that things are looking up for superhero cinema.

The message is clear, Marvel: you finally have some proper competition so it’s time to up your game.

To be fair to Marvel, The Fantastic Four: First Steps looks to be another superhero movie that feels fun and fresh simply because it’s a throwback to classic superhero storytelling, so with any luck 2025 really will be the year that comic book films fix themselves. With Sony’s Spider-Man Universe dying a death, maybe nature is healing. In the meantime, the full teaser trailer for the return of the Man of Tomorrow is coming, appropriately enough, tomorrow before it soars into cinemas on July 11. Soon, we’ll remember what it’s like to believe a man can fly.

Whether he admits it or not, James Gunn is a pupil of Kevin Feige through and through. The design for the Superman poster is only the latest example of how much of his Marvel knowledge he has brought to the DC camp.

Although we have yet to see Gunn’s first official film production under the DC Studios banner, it’s already become pretty clear that the comics’ giant struck gold when they stole the director from its biggest rival. Along with all of his insider info.

To the outside world, the Guardians of the Galaxy filmmaker feels like a student attempting to become the master by applying everything he was taught. And, with Marvel experiencing a decline since the heydays of Endgame, it could just work.

First up on the big screen is David Corenswet’s debut in the highly-anticipated Superman, for which Gunn has just shared the first poster. Fans were quick to point out the similarities between the image and the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s signature design style, particularly that of its very first film — 2008’s Iron Man.

Yes, they share a color palette and a certain dramatic flair, but it’s DC Studios’ new logo that received most of the heat as a near direct copy of its competitor’s — the classic comics’ logo followed by the word “Studios” in between two straight lines.

The Parent Trap twin vibes become even more apparent when you remember that rebranding the company from DC Films to DC Studios was one of Gunn’s first moves after being appointed co-chairman and co-CEO of the branch in 2022. He also dropped the “E” from DCEU (DC Extended Universe), to both differentiate his upcoming projects from the Henry Cavill, Gal Gadot, Ben Affleck Justice League era, and to, no doubt, emulate the resonance of the “MCU” initialism.

Don’t get us wrong, Gunn has proved, beyond doubt, that he is a capable filmmaker and storyteller — one of the superhero genre’s best, even. But he has arguably yet to earn his stripes as an executive. What might differentiate his cinematic universe’s identity from the one that basically created and popularized the concept, however, is that the 58-year-old is a self-professed champion of characters, whereas Feige tends to value the plot.

When speaking with Rolling Stone on the occasion of Guardians 3‘s release in 2023, Gunn’s assessment of superhero fatigue was equal parts a subtle dig at Marvel’s recent shortcomings and a razor-sharp observation on the broader state of the genre. It’s no wonder his collaborations with the comics giant were some of the franchise’s most successful and critically acclaimed.

It has to do with the kind of stories that get to be told, and if you lose your eye on the ball, which is character. We love Superman. We love Batman. We love Iron Man. Because they’re these incredible characters that we have in our hearts. And if it becomes just a bunch of nonsense onscreen, it gets really boring. But I get fatigued by most spectacle films, by the grind of not having an emotionally grounded story.”

We’ll have to wait and see if he delivers on that promise or just ends up regurgitating Marvel’s tired formula when Superman, which he both wrote and directed, hits theaters July 11, 2025.

With James Gunn at the helm of the DCU, several members of the old regime have shared their desire to come back for more, however, there’s one of them who has absolutely no desire to dive into DC ever again, and we can’t really blame them.

In November of 2022, Gunn and Peter Safran became the co-bosses of DC Films marking a huge change in the franchise’s future and upcoming slate of films. This meant that almost everyone who had been a part of the previous films would not be coming back, at least not in the same roles.

During the Happy Sad Confused Podcast, Gunn revealed that he had approached former DC star Ryan Reynolds to join the DCU — as a joke, and the reaction from the former Green Lantern was exactly what you’d expect.

“Ryan doesn’t give a sh*t. One of the first people I talked to after getting the job was Ryan Reynolds. I’m like, ‘You coming back?’ He’s like, ‘Get the f*** out of here.’ I’m joking! I wasn’t really telling him to come back.”

If you’ve heard Reynolds speak about his Green Lantern film before, or you have ever seen an interview with him in general or one of his Marvel Deadpool films then it shouldn’t be any mystery why he wouldn’t want to come back to DC. His time as Hal Jordan was by far a career low point for the actor, and something he’s done well to distance himself from.

There are a few reasons that the Green Lantern movie flopped, and they really have nothing to do with Reynolds himself. The biggest problems were the story, and how it made use of iconic DC characters. Comic fans always want to see faithful adaptions of their favorite action heroes onscreen, and Green Lantern did a terrible job at providing that. Coupled with the terrible CGI that was used for absolutely everything in the film including Reynolds’s super suit, the movie was primed for failure, and critics and fans didn’t hold back.

Right now more than 10 years later, the movie has a terrible 25% reviewer score on Rotten Tomatoes, with an audience rating that’s only slightly better at 45%. Time has not been kind to this film, but there is a glimmer of hope for fans of the comic character.

Green Lantern is coming back to the DCU, but it just won’t be with Reynolds in the role. Lanterns is a new series set to be released in the future that will introduce the Green Lantern comic characters to the DCU. There have already been three Green Lantern Corps members cast and they will be played by Kyle Chandler, Aaron Pierre, and Nathan Fillion. Hopefully with Gunn at the helm and a new story to tell, we can finally get the Green Lantern adaption we deserve.

If you’ve never seen the 2011 Green Lantern movie starring Ryan Reynolds and want to make up your own opinion then you can stream the movie on Amazon Video or Apple TV now.

As the first official chapter of the DCU, Creature Commandos is expected to leave breadcrumbs behind for fans to follow. Plus, since James Gunn created the TV show, the animated series is unsurprisingly filled with Easter eggs and references to DC’s comic book history.

The first episode of Creature Commandos introduces Amanda Waller’s (voiced by Viola Davis) new black ops team and gives them a mission. Episode 2, in its turn, takes us to the distant past to reveal how The Bride (voiced by Indira Varma) came to life. Both episodes have nods to the larger DC universe, which some fans might’ve missed in their first watching.

DC Studios’ logo and Superman #1

Before the episode even begins, Gunn hides a nugget of DC’s history in the new DC Studios’ logo for animated projects. The emblem shows an image of Superman breaking chains with his pecs, which just happens to be the exact pin-up image on the back of Superman #1, first released in 1939, one year after the Man of Steel debuted in Action Comics #1. 

The image of Superman breaking chains would become so crucial to the character that DC even registered it as a trademark in 1941. Since then, multiple comic books have paid homage to the image. Now, the first version of the image has an animated counterpart that underlines how serious DC Studios is about their comic book origins.

Galaxy Broadcasting System

To introduce audiences to the series, Creature Commandos’ first episodes open with a news broadcast describing the dire situation of Pokolistan, where the story takes place. The channel reporting the news has a logo with the acronym GBS. Those letters come straight from the comic books, where the Galaxy Broadcasting System is one of the leading networks in the United States. The Galaxy Communications company is based in Metropolis and usually works with the Daily Planet to oppose Lex Luthor’s attempts to control the media. 

Circe has fought Superman

When Circe (voiced by Anya Chalotra) appears in the GBS reporting, the network uses a mugshot of the villain taken by the Metropolis Police Department. While Circe is a recurring enemy of Wonder Woman, she has been arrested in Metropolis at least once. That means Wonder Woman and Superman have likely fought side-by-side against the sorcerer in the DCU.

Amanda Waller and Peacemaker

When introducing the Creature Commandos to Rick Flag Sr. (voiced by Frank Grillo), Waller reveals that Congress is breathing down her neck since A.R.G.U.S. black ops have been exposed to the media. Waller has been forbidden from using human inmates in her squads, so using monsters is her way of exploiting a loophole.

The mention of A.R.G.U.S. mediatic exposure directly connects Creature Commandos to the first season of Peacemaker. In Peacemaker, Waller’s daughter Leota (Danielle Brooks) goes to the press against her mother to protect her teammates. So, in a couple of lines, Creature Commandos cements Peacemaker as part of the DCU canon while explaining the consequences of Leota’s brave actions.

Operation Starfish, Corto Maltese, and The Suicide Squad

During her talk with Rick Flag, Waller also mentions Operation Starfish in Corto Maltese. That’s the codename of the Task Force X mission in 2021’s The Suicide Squad, where the team has battled Starro. Since Peacemaker and The Suicide Squad are strongly tied together, it makes sense for both stories to become DCU canon simultaneously. Still, it’s nice to see Creature Commandos clearing fans’ doubts by mentioning the movie in addition to the TV show.

After mentioning Corto Maltese, Waller apologizes to Rick Flag for bringing up a painful memory. That’s because Rick Flag’s son, Rick Flag Jr. (Joel Kinnaman), dies in The Suicide Squad. In the movie, the former leader of Task Force X is murdered in cold blood by Peacemaker (John Cena). Since Rick Flag Sr. is part of season 2 of Peacemaker, he’ll probably try to get revenge for his son’s death. 

Where is Pokolistan located?

The Creature Commando’s mission is to travel to Pokolistan and guard its princess against the wrath of Circe. If you can’t find Pokolistan on the map, that’s because the country is a fictional place that first appeared in DC Comics. In the comics, Pokolistan is a nation that split from the Czech Republic and was ruled by a devious villain named General Zod II.

In Creature Commandos, Pokolistan is governed by Princess Ilana Rostovic (voiced by Maria Bakalova). Since the fictional country doesn’t have a vast DC Comics history, Gunn took the liberty of changing it quite a bit, as the Pokolistanis speak Bulgarian instead of Czech. That matches the origins of actress Bakalova, who’s Bulgarian herself.

The Sons of Themyscira

To ensure she’ll be able to kill Princess Illana, Circe has enlisted the help of the Sons of Themyscira. These terrorists are sexist, disgruntled men who think women shouldn’t have safe spaces, so Circe has promised to help them invade Wonder Woman’s Paradise Island if they help her in Pokolistan.

The name of the group, Sons of Themyscira, is a nod to an infamous storyline of the New 52 era of DC Comics, which reveals the Amazons raped sailors and drowned babies born male. Pitying the children’s fate, the Greek God Hephaestus began to rescue these babies, giving them a haven, purpose, and the title of Sons of Themyscira. This storyline has been retconned, as rapist Amazons are something no one ever wanted. That freed the name for Gunn to use in Creature Commandos.

Alexi’s out-of-date references

The captain of Pokolistan’s royal guard is Alexi (voiced by Julian Kostov), a big fan of American culture. However, United States productions take time to travel to the underdeveloped nation, as Alexi’s pop culture references are vastly outdated. Alexi tells the Commandos the people of Pokolistan also do “The Super Bowl Shuffle,” a classic hip-hop song released in 1985.

He also mentions the prank TV show The Jamie Kennedy Experiment, aired between 2002 and 2004. He also mimics the iconic “Whazzup!” line from Scary Movie, a 2000 parody of Scream. Finally, in episode 2, Alexi also asks, “Where is the beef?” just like the classic Wendy’s 1980s slogan.

How do Creature Commandos fit in the DCU’s timeline?

Creature Commandos gives us a few clues on when the series takes place. For starters, Rick Flag Jr. tells Illana that his son died about two years before his Pokolistan mission. The Suicide Squad is set in 2021, which would make Creature Commandos happen in around 2023.

However, GI Robot (voiced by Sean Gunn) says he’s been waiting for a friend to kill Nazis with him for over 74 years. Since World War II ended in 1945, that would mean Creature Commandos happened in 2019. Maybe GI Robot killed Nazis with his friends even after the war was over, which would explain this discrepancy. Or maybe Gunn will retcon the year The Suicide Squad happened.

Welcome to the DCU, Zac Efron

By the end of the first episode, an old lady (voiced by Bakalova) who has been surveilling the Frankenstein mansion calls Eric (voiced by David Harbour) to tell him the Bride is there. The lady’s phone has a thirsty image of shirtless Zac Efron. Funny enough, while the whole world is animated, Efron’s picture is a photograph. Efron has long sat atop many fan-casting lists for superhero movies, including those within the DCU.

Gogol Bordello is DCU canon

While the first two episodes of Creature Commandos use multiple songs as part of its soundtrack, four Gogol Bordello tunes are in the mix. That’s relevant because Gogol Bordello is a Ukrainian band known for its political activism against Russian oppression.

Gunn not only chose to feature multiple Gogol Bordello songs in Creature Commandos, but during the Bride’s flashback, the animated version of the band even pops into the DCU. That seems to be a clear statement about how Gunn feels about the brutal invasion of Ukraine by Russia. The Gogol Bordello songs featured in the episodes are “My Gypsy Auto Pilot”, “Mala Vida”, “Start Wearing Purple”, and “American Wedding”.