James Gunn declares Black Adam and Shazam! Fury of the Gods non-canon, reshaping the DC Universe's interconnected future.
James Gunn has made clear which stories are considered canon in the evolving DC Universe, dismissing Black Adam and Shazam! Fury of the Gods as outside the official narrative. With the recent reboot of Superman and the upcoming release of Peacemaker Season 2 on August 21, fans are questioning the continuity, and Gunn’s remarks set firm boundaries on what counts in this new era.
Despite both films featuring actors Steve Agee and Jennifer Holland reprising their Peacemaker roles, Gunn emphasized their presence does not guarantee canonicity. He stated plainly,
“They’re not canon! I hate it!”
—James Gunn, filmmaker. According to Gunn, appearances of characters alone do not equal legitimacy within his vision for a unified DC Universe.
Peacemaker Season 2’s Role in Defining the DC Canon
Gunn explained that while some elements from the previous DC Universe remain referenced, these are more exceptions than the rule. He made a distinction for the Peacemaker show, highlighting,
“There are certain things from the old universe that we refer to in Peacemaker season 2, but until then, they’re not canon. Almost everything from season 1 is canon, but season 2 will explain everything that is or is not canon.”
—James Gunn, filmmaker.
Peacemaker, spinning off from Gunn’s The Suicide Squad, has developed a unique tone balancing humor and sincerity, particularly through John Cena’s emotional portrayal of Christopher Smith. The series now serves as a key vehicle for establishing which stories and characters belong to this new, interconnected DC timeline.
Gunn’s Approach to Managing DC’s Complex Canon
James Gunn described himself as a “balanced canon guy,” acknowledging the complexity of maintaining a cohesive story world in a franchise as sprawling as DC’s. He noted the importance of coherence, saying,
Image of: James Gunn
“On the one hand, people take it a little too far. Obviously, these are fictional stories… But at the same time, these stories are supposed to be in the same world, and you need to pay attention to the connection between things.”
—James Gunn, filmmaker.
For fans seeking clarity, Gunn offered a straightforward guideline:
“Nothing is canon before Creature Commandos, but you can think of those other things as vague memories of things that happened, going back even to the first Suicide Squad.”
—James Gunn, filmmaker. This establishes Creature Commandos and subsequent stories as the starting point of his official DC narrative.
By excluding Black Adam and Shazam! Fury of the Gods from the canon, Gunn creates a fresh slate from which the universe will be rebuilt, using Peacemaker Season 2 to set the new tone and direction.
Cast Insights and Reflections on the DC Universe Reset
John Cena, returning as Peacemaker, humorously reflected on Gunn’s commitment to this new continuity:
“James Gunn made a sacred oath that he’s not bringing characters back from the dead, and he already broke that by bringing Peacemaker back after he died in The Suicide Squad. So I can confidently say that the future of Peacemaker is one that will defy the odds.”
—John Cena, actor.
With the second season set to premiere on HBO, audiences can expect Gunn to further define the boundaries of what stories and characters will shape the new DC Universe going forward. This clarity offers a focused path for narrative development in the franchise’s next chapter.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Does James Gunn believe in God?
A. Gunn grew up in a Catholic household and has talked about the ongoing influence of prayer on his life. However, he has also described himself as being “in some ways, against religion.”
Q. Is James Gunn no longer with Marvel?
A. Gunn collaborated with Marvel Studios on the Guardians of the Galaxy movies. Later, he became co-CEO of DC Studios in 2022. Gunn directed The Suicide Squad for DC in 2021 after leaving Marvel but returned to Marvel for Guardians of the Galaxy 3.
Q. What is James Gunn’s religion?
A. Gunn’s 2025 Superman adaptation features a CGI-animated Krypto the Superdog, inspired by Ozu’s style. Although raised Catholic, Gunn often prays but describes himself as “somewhat anti-religion.”
