James Gunn’s vision for the DC Universe is only beginning to take shape, but fans should not expect Darkseid to appear as the primary villain anytime soon. Although the franchise advanced significantly in 2025 with the release of Superman and the second season of Peacemaker, DC Studios is gearing up for a 2026 continuation that does not position Darkseid as the main antagonist. The focus on James Gunn DC Universe villains remains distinct from the well-known Apokolips tyrant, signaling a fresh approach to future threats.
Reasons Behind Darkseid Not Being the Central Threat
In a recent interview with New Rockstars, James Gunn, co-CEO of DC Studios, addressed questions about the possibility of Darkseid serving as the big bad for the current DCU. Gunn explained,
Using Darkseid as the big bad now is not necessarily the thing… because for a lot of reasons. Zack [Snyder] did it so cool in his way and because of Thanos and Marvel.
This statement highlights how Zack Snyder’s prior portrayal and Marvel’s villain landscape influence the decision to hold off on Darkseid’s return as the leading menace.
Darkseid’s History in Live-Action and Television
Darkseid was introduced in live-action through Zack Snyder’s Justice League, which presented a four-hour cut reflecting Snyder’s original vision from 2017. However, Darkseid’s role was scaled back when Joss Whedon took over post-production after Snyder’s departure, following the tragic loss of Snyder’s daughter. Warner Bros. aimed to lighten the tone of the Justice League film, which ultimately earned $661.3 million worldwide, a figure lower than expected. This response inspired the #ReleaseTheSnyderCut campaign, leading to the official HBO Max release featuring Ray Porter as Darkseid.
Before Snyder’s portrayal, Darkseid made his live-action debut on television during the final season of Smallville. The villain appeared as the ultimate antagonist in season 10, with multiple actors involved, including John Glover’s Lionel Luthor from Earth-2 after the character was possessed by Darkseid. This earlier depiction deepened the connection between the tyrant and the DC television universe but did not cement him as a recurring major threat in succeeding projects.
Potential for Darkseid’s Future Appearances in the DCU
Though not the franchise’s central villain, Darkseid’s ties to many DC heroes keep open the possibility of his return in upcoming works, such as the planned Mister Miracle TV show. The series will focus on the titular character, who is Darkseid’s adoptive son, yet it remains uncertain whether this show fits within James Gunn’s main continuity or exists as a standalone project.
Upcoming DCU Releases and Expanding the Universe
Looking ahead to 2026, DC Studios is preparing to release two major films: Supergirl on June 26 and Clayface on September 11. Additionally, the HBO series Lanterns will launch, introducing John Stewart, portrayed by Aaron Pierre, and Hal Jordan, played by Kyle Chandler, further expanding the roster of characters in the DC Universe. These projects underline DC Studios’ strategy to explore varied storylines and characters rather than relying immediately on iconic villains like Darkseid.
