The most significant villain in the DC Universe (DCU) may not be the familiar Brainiac, but rather an ancient cosmic entity known as The Centre. This theory has gained traction following recent developments in James Gunn’s DC projects, including the Lanterns series, Superman: Man of Tomorrow, and Peacemaker Season 2. The Centre, originating from DC’s New Frontier comics, is emerging as a possible central threat tying together these narratives.
The Ancient Cosmic Entity Known as The Centre
The Centre, introduced by Darwyn Cooke in DC: The New Frontier, is a living landmass older than humanity itself. Having observed civilization’s violent tendencies over millions of years, The Centre reached a conclusion to annihilate humanity altogether. This entity can manipulate minds through psychic hallucinations, drive beings to insanity, and create monstrous creatures, including flying dinosaurs. Within the storyline, heroes including Superman and Hal Jordan’s Green Lantern unite to stop it, with Green Lantern ultimately launching The Centre into space. This event sets the stage for the Justice League’s formation, a plotline that aligns closely with what James Gunn appears to be constructing within his DCU.
Clues in Gunn’s Recent Work Point Toward The Centre
James Gunn has recently shared hints that have led fans to believe The Centre may be the true villain in his DCU. For instance, a revealed script for Superman: Man of Tomorrow showcased an anatomical illustration focusing on the human brain’s center, which some initially interpreted as a Brainiac reference but could symbolize The Centre. Gunn himself mentioned that the story involves an uneasy alliance between Lex Luthor and Superman to combat a greater threat, suggesting a powerful adversary capable of forcing such cooperation—consistent with The Centre’s description.
a story about Lex Luthor and Superman having to work together to a certain degree against a much, much bigger threat.
— James Gunn, Filmmaker
Lanterns Series Could Unveil the Cosmos’ Dark Secret
Gunn described the Lanterns show as a mystery series, akin to True Detective, starring Hal Jordan and John Stewart as they delve into a terrifying secret on Earth. This mystery is reportedly tied to the broader DCU storyline, possibly revealing The Centre as the ancient malevolent force beneath the planet’s surface. Rumors connect Lanterns to this huge cosmic entity, which may link narratives across Supergirl, Superman, and beyond, establishing a looming threat well before the anticipated DCU Justice League film.
ties into the larger story of the DCU.
— James Gunn, Filmmaker
The Connection Between Peacemaker and The Centre
The conclusion of Peacemaker Season 2 introduces Salvation, an alien prison planet for metahumans. Fans speculate that Salvation could be a hybrid concept combining Dinosaur Island, from New Frontier, and The Centre itself. The Centre’s ability to alter geography, imprison beings, and create illusions echoes the island’s comic qualities. The season’s finale also features dinosaur sounds, reinforcing the possible link to this ancient, monstrous cosmic entity.
Supergirl’s Role in Unfolding the Threat
Despite Supergirl’s storyline being primarily set in space, it could still intersect with The Centre’s narrative. Her journey might mark the beginning of her awareness of this existential danger upon arriving on Earth. This could create a foundation for her alliance with Superman and Lex Luthor against the looming cosmic menace, integrating her into the broader DCU narrative surrounded by James Gunn’s vision.
The Centre as a Symbol of Social and Political Critique
If confirmed as the main DCU villain, The Centre neatly aligns with Gunn’s penchant for embedding political and moral commentary into his stories. The being’s judgment of humanity’s violence, arrogance, and decay mirrors themes Gunn has explored in films like Superman: Man of Tomorrow, Creature Commandos, and Peacemaker. Through this cosmic antagonist, Gunn could advance his critique of human failings on a grand, allegorical scale—contrasting The Centre’s condemnation with Superman’s role as a symbol of hope and resilience.
The Centre’s godlike presence castigating mankind while the heroes struggle to protect humanity encapsulates a moral paradox that fits comfortably within Gunn’s narrative style, emphasizing an uneasy balance between condemnation and defense.
How Multiple Threads Lead Back to The Centre
If this theory holds, The Centre is positioned as the DCU’s ultimate existential threat—an ancient, unseen force residing beneath the Earth, manipulating minds and events covertly. James Gunn’s approach to world-building rather than traditional story arcs supports a slow reveal of this cosmic mystery across multiple projects, rather than a single climactic showdown similar to other cinematic universes.
From Lanterns to Supergirl to Superman: Man of Tomorrow, the evidence increasingly points to a long-hidden, powerful presence. The villain may be concealed in plain sight, residing literally at the center of the narrative, a more unsettling and complex menace than expected.
Fans will see Lanterns debut in 2026, followed by Supergirl’s film release on June 26, 2026, and Superman: Man of Tomorrow hitting theaters July 9, 2027, all potentially setting the stage for confronting this ominous force.
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