Director Zack Snyder crafted a striking vision for a live-action Justice League and the broader DC Extended Universe, which, although never fully realized, featured compelling storytelling and intense character arcs. As James Gunn’s new DC Universe gains momentum, especially post-2025’s Superman, many heroes and villains from the Snyderverse have the opportunity for renewal, with fresh narratives and actors breathing new life into them.
Revisiting Cyborg’s Untapped Potential
Ray Fisher’s portrayal of Cyborg was designed to be central to the Justice League narrative. However, studio interference and behind-the-scenes conflicts led to his story being severely reduced in the 2017 theatrical release. The full scope of Victor Stone’s journey, exploring grief and reluctant heroism, was finally revealed in the 2021 Zack Snyder’s Justice League, shedding light on the emotional depth intended for the character.
With James Gunn’s DCU, there is a promising chance to deepen Victor Stone’s exploration of identity and humanity. A possible return to Cyborg’s roots as a Teen Titan, rather than the permanent Justice League member depicted in the DCEU, aligns with recent comic developments where he has resumed this role. Fans may welcome this shift that highlights a different aspect of the character’s evolution.
A Fresh Start for The Flash
Ezra Miller’s Flash presented moments of sincerity and charm but suffered from negative publicity and underwhelming reception to 2023’s film, which struggled critically and commercially. These difficulties overshadowed the character’s inherent qualities, leaving Barry Allen’s Flash story incomplete within the DCEU.
The rebooted DCU stands to reinvent Barry Allen’s Flash while honoring the hopeful and uncertain hero Snyder initially portrayed — a speedster grappling with the weight of his powers and responsibilities. Taking cues from the widely beloved Barry Allen played by Grant Gustin in the CW’s nine-season Flash series could offer a successful foundation for this reinvention.
Martian Manhunter’s Lost Role and Future Promise
One of the most surprising moments in Zack Snyder’s Justice League was the reveal of Martian Manhunter. Completely omitted from the original 2017 theatrical cut, the character reappeared as a hidden guide disguised as Lieutenant General Calvin Swanwick and Martha Kent, played by Harry Lennix. His ultimate reveal to Batman set up potential storylines that never came to fruition due to the cancellation of Snyder’s planned sequels.
J’onn J’onzz’s absence from the climactic battle left much unexplored, yet James Gunn’s DCU can correct this by integrating Martian Manhunter fully. As a powerful shapeshifter and strategic mastermind, he could also expand the universe beyond Earth, ushering in interstellar conflicts and alliances that elevate future narratives.
Introducing Ryan Choi as The Atom
Ryan Choi’s character was restored in Zack Snyder’s Justice League after being trimmed from the 2017 version. Portrayed by Ryan Zheng, Choi is depicted as a scientist at STAR Labs collaborating with Victor Stone’s father, Silas, on the enigmatic Mother Box technology. By the film’s conclusion, Choi assumes control of the Kryptonian scout ship and is promoted to STAR’s Director of Nanotechnology, hinting at his eventual transformation into The Atom.
Although Ryan Choi never fully evolved into a superhero during the DCEU run, James Gunn’s DCU has the potential to explore his story in depth. A shrinking hero with advanced technology could offer a fresh and dynamic element to the new universe, reminiscent of the MCU’s successful Ant-Man character.
The Untapped Depth of Commissioner Gordon
J.K. Simmons brought a commanding presence to the role of Commissioner Gordon in Justice League, conveying a tough, loyal ally to Batman, despite receiving limited screen time. The character’s potential was curtailed after Warner Bros shifted focus from Ben Affleck’s DCEU Batman to Matt Reeves’ standalone Batman universe starring Robert Pattinson, with Jeffrey Wright cast as a younger Gordon.
The upcoming Brave and the Bold, part of James Gunn’s DCU, is the most likely platform to reintroduce Gordon. There is speculation that Simmons might reprise the role, following a precedent set by Marvel and Sony, where Simmons returned as J. Jonah Jameson in the MCU despite previous portrayals in earlier Spider-Man films.
Deathstroke’s Unfinished Storyline
Joe Manganiello’s Deathstroke was briefly seen in both Snyder’s and Whedon’s Justice League cuts, teasing a confrontation with Batman and potentially the Justice League, which never materialized. Equipped with formidable armor and weapons, Deathstroke would have served as a significant villain for the DCEU. Additionally, Slade Wilson appeared in the Knightmare sequence, positioned as an unexpected ally to a band of heroes and villains during a dystopian future ruled by Darkseid and a corrupted Superman.
James Gunn’s DCU has the chance to reintroduce Deathstroke with greater depth, perhaps even casting Manganiello once more, giving the character an opportunity his portrayal in the DCEU lacked. This could enrich the new universe’s roster of complex antagonists.
Reimagining the Joker
Jared Leto’s Joker stands as one of the most controversial comic adaptations, first appearing in 2016’s Suicide Squad. While his portrayal was chaotic, it often missed the layered complexity associated with the Clown Prince of Crime. However, his glimpses in Zack Snyder’s Justice League and the Knightmare sequence indicated potential for a more profound and intriguing connection, especially in his uneasy alliance with Batman.
James Gunn’s DCU offers a clean slate for a novel Joker portrayal, aiming for a more faithful and well-rounded interpretation that could resonate better with both critics and audiences.
Maxwell Lord’s Evolving Role
Pedro Pascal’s Maxwell Lord in Wonder Woman 1984 was defined by the film’s 1980s backdrop but left ample room for further development. His character as a charismatic businessman manipulating superhumans holds significant promise. The new DCU has already introduced a version of Maxwell Lord, portrayed by Sean Gunn, who appeared briefly in Superman and Peacemaker Season 2.
This groundwork suggests Lord will play a larger role as a financier behind the Justice Gang, the emerging superhero team that might evolve into the Justice League. Observers anticipate whether Maxwell Lord might take on a darker edge in this reimagined universe.
John Stewart and the Green Lantern Corps Debut
In the Snyderverse, Green Lantern was initially set to debut with Wayne T. Carr cast as John Stewart. Snyder released images portraying Stewart donning the iconic Green Lantern ring, but the character never appeared on screen. The upcoming Lanterns series in James Gunn’s DCU will finally introduce John Stewart in live-action, played by Aaron Pierre as a rookie partnering with veteran Hal Jordan, portrayed by Kyle Chandler.
This will represent a significant moment of redemption for the live-action John Stewart, fulfilling the long-awaited promise to bring this iconic hero to the big screen.
A New Chapter for Snyderverse Characters Under James Gunn
With James Gunn’s DC Universe reboot actively unfolding, many characters initially introduced or shaped by Zack Snyder’s vision are poised for a second chance. Whether it is deepening storylines like Cyborg’s emotional journey, revitalizing troubled portrayals such as Flash and Joker, or giving new life to untapped personalities like Martian Manhunter, The Atom, and Deathstroke, the creative reset promises intense and hopeful narratives.
This new direction could satisfy longtime fans while attracting fresh audiences by weaving together familiar heroes and villains in unexpected ways, ensuring that unresolved arcs and overlooked characters from the Snyderverse gain full realization in the years ahead.
