James Gunn’s latest film Superman, released on July 9, 2025, introduces a significant retcon to the newly established DC Universe (DCU), altering one of Bloodsport’s defining moments from The Suicide Squad. This change redefines key aspects of the shared continuity, affecting how previous events involving the character are perceived in the ongoing DC storyline.
Superman Reshapes Bloodsport’s Story in the New DC Universe
While the new Superman movie sets a fresh tone for the DCU, it also confirms that most earlier James Gunn projects are official parts of this universe. However, a crucial event from 2021’s The Suicide Squad, where Idris Elba’s Bloodsport shot Superman with a Kryptonite bullet, appears to have been removed from the new continuity. This moment, which was foundational in Bloodsport’s backstory and referenced in later projects like Creature Commandos, now seems to have been rewritten within the first minutes of Superman.
The New Opening Scene Challenges Bloodsport’s Most Notable Achievement
In The Suicide Squad, Robert DuBois, known as Bloodsport, is depicted as a formidable assassin and marksman who lands Superman in the ICU by firing a Kryptonite bullet. This act explained Bloodsport’s imprisonment in Belle Reve and highlighted his lethal skills. Nonetheless, Superman’s opening sequence suggests this incident might never have occurred in the fresh DCU timeline. The film begins with text detailing the history of metahumans on Earth, Kal-El’s arrival, and his career timeline, culminating with the striking declaration:
3 MINUTES AGO, Superman lost a battle for the first time…
—James Gunn, Director
This statement implies that prior to the recent conflict with the Hammer of Boravia, Superman had never been defeated, thereby indirectly negating the earlier story where Bloodsport caused him serious harm. While this may disappoint fans who valued that achievement as a significant mark of Bloodsport’s prowess, it aligns with the film’s theme of portraying Kal-El’s first loss as a pivotal moment shaping the narrative.
Setting a New Narrative Tone with Superman’s First Defeat
The idea of Superman losing only recently adds thematic depth to the character’s journey in this reboot. It serves as a narrative catalyst, underscoring his vulnerabilities and growth. This retcon parallels other changes James Gunn has incorporated when establishing the DCU’s fresh continuity, such as excluding the DCEU’s Justice League appearance seen in Peacemaker’s first season, emphasizing a clean slate for new storytelling.
Potential Future for Bloodsport in the Updated DCU
Given this retcon, the status of Bloodsport’s character within the revamped DCU remains uncertain. Idris Elba’s portrayal has been well-received, raising questions about whether the character will return despite the removal of his most famous feat. Bloodsport’s role could be reimagined with new storylines or different achievements that fit the evolving universe better, preserving his significance while adapting to the altered canon.
Details and Cast of James Gunn’s Superman
The 2025 movie runs for 130 minutes and is directed and co-written by James Gunn, alongside Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster’s original creations. Producers Lars P. Winther, Nik Korda, and Peter Safran support the film’s production. The story follows Clark Kent’s dual life as both a journalist in Metropolis and as Superman, tackling challenges from his Kryptonian origins while integrating into human society. The film explores themes of identity, heroism, and personal discovery in a complex world.
The cast includes David Corenswet as Superman and Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane. The movie features multiple Easter eggs and references that connect the film to DC’s rich comic book history, deepening the experience for longtime fans as well as new viewers.
Revisiting The Suicide Squad’s Role in the DC Narrative
Released in August 2021 and directed by James Gunn, The Suicide Squad brought together supervillains like Harley Quinn, Bloodsport, and Peacemaker, who are sent by Amanda Waller on a covert mission to the hostile island of Corto Maltese. The film contributed significantly to the DCEU’s foundation before James Gunn’s revamped DCU officially began.
Bloodsport, portrayed by Idris Elba, was introduced as a highly skilled assassin with a complex background, and the Kryptonite bullet incident was the centerpiece of his legend. However, with the new Superman film redefining key events, it is clear that some moments from The Suicide Squad are being reconsidered or discarded to ensure continuity consistency moving forward.
Implications for the DC Universe’s Direction Under James Gunn
This retcon symbolically represents the shift in DC’s storytelling approach, signaling that the new DCU is focused on developing fresh narratives rather than relying entirely on past events. By rewriting important moments like Bloodsport’s attack on Superman, the creators open the door to new character arcs and interpretations that better serve the current cinematic vision.
Fans can expect James Gunn’s Superman to serve as a narrative cornerstone, shaping how the DCU evolves in the future. The film’s emphasis on Superman’s first-ever defeat sets a tone of vulnerability and change, which may resonate throughout upcoming DC releases and redefine heroic journeys across the franchise.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Does James Gunn believe in God?
A. Gunn grew up in a Catholic home and has shared that prayer is still important to him. He also described himself as “in some ways, anti-religion.”
Q. Is James Gunn no longer with Marvel?
A. In 2018, the director was removed from the Guardians of the Galaxy films. Gunn confessed he believed his career was finished. However, in 2022, he and Peter Safran were chosen to lead DC Studios, giving him a chance for a new superhero project.
Q. What is James Gunn’s religion?
A. In Gunn’s 2025 version of Superman, the CGI-animated Krypto the Superdog was inspired by Ozu’s work. Gunn, who grew up in a Catholic family, still finds prayer significant in his life. However, he has also expressed being somewhat opposed to organized religion.
