The upcoming 2026 project in the James Gunn DCU flying superheroes lineup will feature a seventh character with the power of flight, marking a pivotal evolution in the franchise as DC Studios drives forward with big-screen releases. As James Gunn and Peter Safran lead the DC Universe into its next phase, notable Hollywood names and established heroes continue to expand the on-screen roster of characters who defy gravity in both classic and high-tech ways.
Expansion of Aerial Heroes in the DC Universe
2025 marks a landmark year for DC fans as the new era begins with David Corenswet starring in “Superman,” debuting a fresh slate of iconic characters from heroes to villains. DC lore has consistently spotlighted the ability to soar above cities and battlefields, a trait that has historically set Superman and Supergirl apart. This new direction, however, welcomes more characters with various backgrounds and reasons for flight, enriching the franchise’s action and narrative possibilities.
During HBO Max’s Upfront event in São Paolo, Brazil, November 2025, exclusive footage from the Lanterns trailer unveiled not just story elements but also confirmed Hal Jordan, portrayed by Kyle Chandler, as a new addition to the airborne DCU superheroes. Hal Jordan’s ability to fly doesn’t stem from innate powers but from his iconic power ring and indomitable will, a signature trait for any Green Lantern. This introduces Hal as the eighth character in the DCU capable of flight, further diversifying the sources of this formidable power.
Anticipation continues to mount for John Stewart’s expected entry into the Green Lantern Corps. Should Stewart join, he is poised to acquire this aerial capability the moment he dons his power ring, further strengthening the team of DCU’s airborne defenders.
Main DCU Characters with the Ability to Fly
The James Gunn DCU flying superheroes roster now boasts a complex blend of backgrounds, powers, and technologies. Each flier brings a distinct approach to flight—whether natural, technological, or alien—inspiring awe and raising the stakes for cinematic spectacle.
Superman: An Iconic Figure in Flight
Superman represents the epitome of a flying superhero, his powers a unique combination of Kryptonian genetics and the energy from Earth’s yellow sun. This blend allows him to defy gravity and speed through the skies, a defining visual and narrative element of his character. The 2025 adaptation intensifies this spectacle, with David Corenswet’s Superman mirroring a jet’s swift presence, echoing classic comic book tradition on the big screen.
Supergirl: Sharing Kryptonian Legacies
Supergirl possesses the same inborn flight as her cousin, Superman, courtesy of her Kryptonian origins. As the franchise delves into her character, questions regarding her powers under different solar conditions add intrigue. For instance, DC Comics tradition holds that Kara Zor-el loses her abilities, including flight, on planets with red suns. Thus, her need to remain under a yellow sun is a detail that both grounds and elevates her presence among the James Gunn DCU flying superheroes.
Guy Gardner: Ring-Fueled Human Flight
Guy Gardner joins the list of flying heroes thanks to his Green Lantern ring, a tool that leverages his will to grant not only flight but also a range of other powers. His appearance in James Gunn’s Superman film demonstrates both the ring’s capabilities and Gardner’s unique style within the League’s ranks.
Hawkgirl: Wings of an Alien Warrior
Hawkgirl stands apart with her innate ability to fly, a result of her unique physiology as a winged alien warrior. This defining trait is more than symbolic—her wings, as confirmed by James Gunn in early 2025, are organic, not mechanical, anchoring her firmly as a natural-born flyer among the DCU’s airborne elite.
Mr. Terrific: Engineering Flight through Innovation
Mr. Terrific approaches flight differently, utilizing his significant intellect to engineer technology that allows him to keep pace. His T-spheres, technological marvels in their own right, grant him propulsion and short-term levitation during combat, reflecting the expanding role of ingenuity among the franchise’s heroes.
Metamorpho: Elemental Flight through Shapeshifting
Metamorpho’s powers are based on his ability to manipulate his own chemical composition, granting him flexible propulsion methods. In Superman, his skills are showcased during a dramatic escape, where his transformations enable both himself and allies like baby Joey and Krypto to move quickly through otherwise impassable terrain, highlighting the creative breadth of flight-based superpowers in the current universe.
Alternate-Earth Heroes with the Power of Flight
The DCU, under James Gunn’s vision, explores parallel worlds and alternate counterparts, further enriching the flying superhero lineup. Peacemaker Season 2 introduces Blue Dragon, an alternate version of Auggie Smith from a Nazi Earth, revered as a hero. Blue Dragon’s flight relies on a technologically advanced armor with integrated jet and thruster systems, emphasizing the variety in how flight manifests across universes.
Similarly, an alternate Peacemaker from the same timeline dons a suit with the same technological enhancements, enabling him to soar and engage in aerial combat, marking a contrast to his Earth-prime counterpart who remains earthbound. Captain Triumph, presented as Christopher Smith’s brother, also benefits from a propulsion-integrated suit, showcased memorably in a scene dismantling a helicopter, illustrating expertise in using flight for both offense and defense.
The Significance and What Lies Ahead
As James Gunn DCU flying superheroes continue to multiply, the expansion of such characters enriches the visual and narrative tapestry of DC Studios’ film and television offerings. The franchise’s embrace of multiple origins—ranging from alien to human innovation—mirrors the diverse appeal of superhero mythos and guarantees that fans can expect high-flying action, emotional stakes, and evolving alliances as the DCU grows.
Looking ahead, the anticipated debut of John Stewart and further alternate-universe explorations are likely to introduce even more innovative takes on flight, ensuring the James Gunn DCU flying superheroes remain a key feature of each new chapter in the expanding saga.
