James Gunn‘s new Justice League team origins have been officially confirmed, shedding light on the formation of the Justice Gang—set to make their first appearance in the upcoming Superman film, which introduces David Corenswet as the iconic Man of Steel. As anticipation builds for this DC universe reboot, fans are learning how the fresh superhero lineup, backed by corporate interests and featuring characters like Isabela Merced‘s Hawkgirl, Nathan Fillion‘s Guy Gardner, and Echo Kellum’s Mister Terrific, earned their unique team name.
The Formation of the Justice Gang and Its Name
The Superman film will not present the classic Justice League lineup but instead introduces a newly assembled team called the Justice Gang. Questions around their name have floated across fan forums for months, with many speculating about its origins and whether it fits DC’s superhero tradition. Recent information from an official tie-in novel has now revealed that the name “Justice Gang” was the brainchild of Guy Gardner, the Green Lantern played by Nathan Fillion. This corporate-backed super-team represents a different approach to superhero collaboration in Metropolis, contrasting with the more iconic assembly of Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman.
In the junior prequel novel Superman: Welcome to Metropolis, it is clarified that the name is not universally accepted by all team members. The character description for Guy Gardner highlights his enthusiasm:
“Green Lantern, also known as Guy Gardner, gets his power from the glowing green ring on his finger. With the ring, he can project energy and create anything he images. He’s part of a team of metahumans committed to fighting crime and protecting the citizens of Metropolis from danger. Guy wants to name the new team he is in ‘The Justice Gang’ but has not convinced his fellow members.”
—official character description
This sense of disagreement within the group is further emphasized in the Justice Gang’s official bio, which provides more insight into their dynamic:
“Hawkgirl, Mister Terrific, and Green Lantern make up The Justice Gang! Even though the name is still to be confirmed, these heroes know that working as a team makes them a greater force for good than working independantly.”
—team bio
The narrative makes it clear that while Guy Gardner is pushing for the title, Hawkgirl and Mister Terrific remain unconvinced. The Justice Gang name appears to be a temporary label as the heroes navigate their partnership, and may not stick around once the team solidifies its identity.
How the Team Comes Together in Superman
The Justice Gang has origins that set it apart from previous superhero teams in the DC universe. In Gunn’s Superman, the group is brought together by Maxwell Lord, portrayed by Sean Gunn. Maxwell Lord is a wealthy, influential businessman with a notorious track record in the DC Comics world. He serves both as a benefactor and as an orchestrator for the team‘s assembly, offering financial backing and resources while maintaining his own agenda. This corporate tie-in gives the Justice Gang a distinct identity, merging their pursuit of justice with the interests of their billionaire financier.
This new dynamic reflects a broader world already populated by metahumans, as Gunn’s vision for the DCU drops audiences into a setting where super-powered beings are an accepted and recognized part of society. Hawkgirl, Mister Terrific, and Guy Gardner join Superman on the big screen as part of a collective not yet fully aligned under a single, agreed-upon moniker. While their partnership is new, it reflects the evolving nature of superhero alliances in Gunn’s version of the DC universe, where corporate involvement and team cohesion are both key elements.
The cast for Superman expands beyond the Justice Gang, featuring well-known characters such as Lois Lane (played by Rachel Brosnahan), Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult), and Metamorpho (Anthony Carrigan). Their participation signals that this iteration of Superman will serve as a critical introduction for multiple figures who are mainstays in the comics but are now being reimagined for the new DCU. James Gunn’s direction is set to bring these heroes, antiheroes, and villains together for the first time on July 11, when Superman premieres in theaters.
The Role of the Justice Gang in the Expanding DC Universe
The creation of the Justice Gang marks an intentional departure from the traditional Justice League lineup familiar to long-time fans, who may recall the original team being anchored by Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman. In this new era, the focus shifts to secondary heroes like Mister Terrific, Guy Gardner, and Hawkgirl—sparking discussion around why these characters, rather than the more familiar trio, compose the core of the inaugural team in Gunn’s universe.
This development appears to set the stage for a gradual evolution within the DCU. By starting with characters who are not usually headline stars, Gunn introduces a sense of progression, suggesting that the team audiences see in Superman may eventually develop into a more recognizable Justice League. The existence of a corporate-sponsored superhero group, supported by Maxwell Lord, also signals an ongoing interplay between business interests and heroism—a theme that may provide deeper narrative complexity as the story unfolds.
Hints dropped in both official materials and promotional tie-ins indicate that this new team is poised for appearances beyond Superman, potentially showing up in other projects such as Peacemaker. Such continuity across titles highlights Gunn’s approach to building a connected universe where the formation of superhero teams is fluid and evolving, and where personal disagreements—like those over the team name—could lead to lineup changes.
Potential Changes and Future Impact on the Justice League
The uncertainty surrounding the Justice Gang’s name introduces possible rifts within the group, as the novel reveals that team members like Mister Terrific and Hawkgirl have not been swayed by Guy Gardner’s proposal. This situation opens the door for internal conflict, which could ultimately result in the disbanding of the team and make way for a proper Justice League to eventually emerge.
If the Justice Gang were to dissolve, the vacuum could pave the way for the iconic assembly of DC’s greatest heroes—potentially including David Corenswet’s Superman, cast members from the upcoming Lanterns television series, and a yet-to-be-revealed Batman slated for The Brave and the Bold. These elements together lay the groundwork for the formation of the DCU’s first canonical Justice League, as envisioned by Gunn and his creative team.
The casting choices and narrative threads in Superman suggest that the film is more than just a standalone origin story. Instead, it acts as a launching pad for broader DCU developments, weaving together characters, team dynamics, and the influence of figures such as Maxwell Lord. This interconnected approach not only shapes the Justice Gang’s own journey, but also hints at the future convergence of heroes and storylines within Gunn’s growing universe.
With the Justice Gang set to make their debut in theaters alongside Superman, audiences can expect to see a new era of collaborative heroism, marked by evolving identities, corporate interests, and the ever-present possibility of transformation into the Justice League fans know and love.
