James Gunn recently revealed that the DC Universe will be moving away from the villain plans originally set by Zack Snyder for the DCEU, taking a safer and more compelling direction. Snyder had intended to build his franchise toward a climactic battle involving the Justice League and Darkseid, a storyline which began with Man of Steel in 2013 but was never fully realized.
Though Darkseid appeared briefly in Zack Snyder’s Justice League, the primary antagonist was Steppenwolf, positioning Darkseid as a looming threat for future installments. Following negative reception of certain early DCEU films and changes within the studio, Snyder left the project, and his vision for Darkseid’s major role was abandoned. The fresh DC Universe timeline, which started this summer with Gunn’s Superman movie, is crafting a new overarching story, noticeably distinct from Snyder’s approach.
In the latest installment, Peacemaker season 2, a new dimension called Salvation was introduced, inspired by DC Comics lore. Because Salvation is linked to Darkseid in the comics, many fans speculated that Darkseid would soon emerge as the primary villain in the DC Universe. However, Gunn recently dismissed these theories, explaining the franchise will not feature Darkseid in the near future, partly due to Snyder’s previous use of the character. Gunn stated,
“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.”
— James Gunn, filmmaker
The Benefits of Steering Clear from Darkseid in the New DC Universe
Opting to avoid Darkseid allows the new DC Universe to clearly separate itself from Zack Snyder’s darker and more polarizing DCEU era. While Snyder’s films garnered a loyal fanbase, they did not appeal widely, especially compared to the brighter and more uplifting tone of this summer’s Superman. Since Darkseid is strongly tied to Snyder’s version of the DC world, removing this villain helps prevent confusion among audiences experiencing the reboot.
Moreover, Gunn’s choice supports the goal of delivering something fresh and innovative for viewers. The success of Superman was partly due to its originality in a crowded genre filled with superhero films. Introducing a villain who recently appeared and shares many traits with Marvel’s Thanos would make it difficult for the DC Universe to carve out a new identity or surprise audiences.
James Gunn’s understanding of superhero audiences—from passionate comic book fans to casual moviegoers—guides his effort to create a franchise that resonates broadly. Balancing proven elements, like the appeal of villains such as Thanos, with new storytelling approaches is crucial for this evolution.
Future Directions for the DC Universe’s Villain Landscape
Currently, it remains uncertain who will emerge as the DC Universe’s primary antagonist, or whether a singular villainous threat will unite the heroes at all. Gunn might pursue an entirely new path, introducing a villain or conflict unlike those seen before. This fresh approach may be what the superhero genre needs to evolve and regain momentum.
As the DC Universe builds its foundation without Darkseid, this strategy reflects a commitment to redefining the franchise and steering it away from the shadow of past plans. Gunn’s decision highlights the network’s efforts to appeal to a broader audience and create a more inclusive and innovative cinematic experience.
