James Gunn’s latest Superman film, now playing in theaters, reintroduces viewers to the DC Universe, brimming with Easter eggs that confirm the return of beloved superheroes. Set three years after Kal-El, portrayed by David Corenswet, reveals himself as Superman, the movie sets the stage in Metropolis, where new characters such as Mr. Terrific (Edi Gathegi), Hawkgirl (Isabela Merced), and Green Lantern Guy Gardner (Nathan Fillion) form the Justice Gang, a corporate superhero team sponsored by the LordTech corporation and its tech mogul Maxwell Lord (Sean Gunn).
The Justice Gang and Its Ties to DC History
The Justice Gang, although officially embraced only by Guy Gardner and new member Metamorpho (Anthony Carrigan), serves as a nod to the Justice Society of America (JSA), the first super-team in the DC Universe. This homage is evident in the team’s headquarters, the Hall of Justice, located in Metropolis, which also functions as a visual tribute through a prominent mural celebrating golden age superheroes from the JSA. The mural, displayed on the walls of the former train station inspired by Cincinnati Union Terminal, reflects the original Hall of Justice seen in the 1970s “Super Friends” cartoon.
Historical Superheroes Depicted in the DC Universe Mural
Careful viewers examining the mural will find a range of World War II-era heroes like Jay Garrick, the inaugural Flash, and Wesley Dodds, the original Sandman, both founding members of the JSA introduced in 1940’s All-Star Comics #3. Gardner Fox, the prolific writer behind Flash Comics and Adventure Comics who later helped form the Justice League in 1960’s The Brave and the Bold #28, crafted the first meeting of the JSA to include iconic figures such as Hawkman, Dr. Fate, the Spectre, Hourman, the Atom, and Alan Scott, the original Green Lantern.
Additional characters represented include Ted Grant, a heavyweight boxing champion turned vigilante Wildcat; Gardner Grayle’s armored Atomic Knight; Jon Valor, a 16th Century swashbuckler known as the Black Pirate; Dominic Mndawe, South Africa’s Freedom Beast of the Global Guardians; Brian Kent, a 6th Century knight called the Silent Knight; Amethyst, the magical princess from the otherworldly Gemworld; and Paco Ramone, a sonic-powered metahuman who operated as Vibe within Detroit’s Justice League of America.
Legacy Characters and Evolving Lineups of DC’s Justice Teams
Much like the flexible roster of the Justice League of America, the Justice Society of America has expanded throughout the decades to include heroes such as Dinah Lance’s Black Canary and legacy figures like Starman, Sand (the Sandman’s former ward also known as Golden Boy), Star-Spangled Kid, the Hawkgirl persona of Kendra Saunders, and Michael Holt, the second Mister Terrific who succeeded Terry Sloane.
James Gunn’s Commitment to Authenticity and Detail
Director James Gunn emphasized the abundance of hidden references throughout the film, making it a standout in his career for Easter egg content.
“This is the most Easter egg-laden movie I’ve ever made. I have a lot of Easter eggs in my movie,”
Gunn shared.
“I mean, every character in the movie is practically from the comic books. Everybody in Lex’s control room, all those people are characters from the comic books. Every street in the movie is named after a comic book writer or artist. Most of the businesses are either named after a comic book writer or artist, or they are named after businesses that exist within the DC Universe on the page.”
—James Gunn, Writer-Director
He also spoke about a memorable scene featuring a large mural that traces the history of metahumans in the DC Universe.
“Later on, there’s an iconic scene with a huge, huge mural in the background that tells you the story of metahumans in the DCU. And that’s going to be really fun when we release those images to the public,”
Gunn stated.
“So the stuff goes deep. It’s really fun, and it was really fun creating the world. That was one of the reasons that I liked DC a lot, because it isn’t New York and Los Angeles. It’s Gotham, and Central City, and Evergreen. It is really creating another world with other rules.”
—James Gunn, Writer-Director
Superman’s Disappearance and Lois Lane’s Investigation
The storyline also weaves in a significant arc involving Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan), who investigates Superman’s mysterious disappearance. Superman is held captive within a pocket universe by Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult), designed to prevent his interference with the Boravian invasion. This leads Lois to the Metropolis headquarters of the Justice Gang at the Hall of Justice, where she attempts to convince Guy Gardner to break Superman out.
The Significance of the DCU Easter Eggs and Their Impact
The numerous references and visual nods embedded across the movie establish a rich continuity within the DC Universe, signaling the return of many fan-favorite characters and legacy heroes. These details deepen the world-building and enhance the experience for longtime comic fans, confirming the new DC Studios approach toward honoring the classics while expanding the narrative scope.
By focusing on a mix of iconic superheroes and lesser-known figures, James Gunn’s Superman highlights the diversity and history of the DC Universe, creating anticipation for future films within the new interconnected world. The prominence of the Justice Gang and the nod to the Justice Society reinforce the idea that these heroes will continue to shape the evolving DC landscape.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why is James Gunn leaving Marvel?
A. In 2018, James Gunn was let go by Marvel after old tweets he wrote resurfaced. These tweets included offensive jokes about serious topics, leading to public anger.
Q. What is James Gunn’s religion?
A. Ozu inspired the new CGI design for Krypto the Superdog in Gunn’s 2025 Superman adaptation. Gunn grew up in a Catholic household and still finds prayer meaningful in his life. However, he has expressed that he is, in some ways, against organized religion.
Q. What religion is James Gunn?
A. Gunn grew up in a Catholic household and has shared that prayer is still significant to him. However, he also describes himself as “in some ways, anti-religion.”
