DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn was recently photographed with actor Kumail Nanjiani, best known for his role in Eternals, reigniting speculation that Nanjiani may have been cast as Booster Gold. Gunn had announced Booster Gold as an HBO Max live-action comedy series as part of DCU’s original Chapter 1 slate. The show centers on Michael Carter, a disillusioned figure from the far future who uses advanced technology to travel back in time and become a superhero. Despite the announcement being over two years old, Booster Gold has seen little progress until recent reports suggested Nanjiani secured the leading role. In a recent development, Our Flag Means Death creator David Jenkins was hired to write the pilot episode, signaling renewed momentum for the project.
The rumors surrounding Kumail Nanjiani’s casting have triggered debate, mainly because of the significant change in the character’s background. Michael Carter is typically portrayed as a white American, but Nanjiani is of Pakistani descent. Additionally, some fans question whether a 47-year-old actor is suitable for a hero usually depicted in his mid-30s, especially since DC has already cast a 59-year-old as Hal Jordan for HBO’s Lanterns series, hinting at an older hero approaching retirement.
Renewed Buzz After Peacemaker Premiere Appearance
Talk about Nanjiani’s connection to Booster Gold had quieted for some time, but it picked up again when the actor appeared alongside James Gunn at the Peacemaker Season 2 premiere. His attendance at this DCU event has raised hopes among fans that he might debut as Booster Gold soon, possibly even within Peacemaker’s upcoming season. Previously, Nexus Point News broke an exclusive in July 2024 stating that Nanjiani would play the character. When the photo surfaced, the outlet’s journalist Apocalyptic Horseman reaffirmed the old report on social media, declaring, “Oh, it’s happening.”
James Gunn has repeatedly stated that casting announcements for the DCU won’t happen until scripts are finalized, and with Booster Gold’s pilot only recently in the writing stage, the actor’s involvement ahead of the series remains uncertain. However, Gunn hinted in an interview that Peacemaker Season 2 will feature a “really, really, really big cameo,” speculated by fans to be a Justice League member, but could also be Booster Gold preparing for the wider DCU launch.
In addition, there is an animated Blue Beetle sequel scheduled for release in 2026. Given Booster Gold’s well-known friendship with Ted Kord, the Blue Beetle, it is possible that the character could appear in that series. Still, if these early appearances do not happen, the earliest introduction for Booster Gold to the DC fanbase may be through his HBO Max show, which currently lacks a confirmed release date.
Strong Indicators Point to Nanjiani Playing Booster Gold
Although James Gunn has publicly debunked some viral rumors related to the Booster Gold show, he has not commented on the persistent reports about Kumail Nanjiani’s casting. This silence has only fueled further belief that Nanjiani may be the chosen actor. At GalaxyCon Raleigh 2024, Blue Beetle star Xolo Maridueña seemed to confirm the rumor in an interview with The Cosmic Circus, adding weight to the speculation.
Notably, Nexus Point News was the first to report on key personnel joining the project, including writers Danny McBride, John Carcieri, and Jeff Fradley. When David Jenkins took over the pilot, he acknowledged on Instagram that he had
“
[inherited] this project from Danny McBride,
”
lending credibility to these insider updates. Despite the mounting signs, Nanjiani’s presence at the Peacemaker premiere should not be seen as definitive proof on its own. He has attended James Gunn’s premieres before, such as for The Suicide Squad, and Gunn had previously
written a cameo for [his] friend
Nanjiani in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, which was later cut due to Nanjiani’s commitment to Eternals.
James Gunn has a pattern of casting close friends in roles or cameos when they fit a part, which could increase Nanjiani’s chances for Booster Gold. Conversely, this connection could simply explain his appearance at the event as a gesture of support rather than confirmation of a new role within the DCU.
Future Implications and What Fans Can Expect
The potential casting of Kumail Nanjiani as Booster Gold marks an important step in defining the new direction for the DC Universe under James Gunn’s leadership. If Nanjiani does take on the role, Booster Gold could emerge as a key figure bringing humor and time-travel elements to the franchise, setting him apart from other traditional superheroes.
With David Jenkins involved in writing the pilot, known for blending comedy and drama in Our Flag Means Death, the Booster Gold series could carve a unique niche within the DCU slate, expanding its tonal range. Meanwhile, Booster Gold’s possible early appearances in shows like Peacemaker or the upcoming Blue Beetle sequel could introduce audiences to the character slowly while building anticipation for the full series.
As of now, no official release window for Booster Gold has been announced, keeping fans eagerly awaiting formal updates regarding the show’s development, casting confirmations, and how this new hero will fit within the larger DCU landscape.
