James Gunn’s DC Universe (DCU) is reintroducing a prominent figure from the Snyderverse in the upcoming Supergirl film, marking their first appearance since Zack Snyder’s Justice League. Despite rebooting the original DCEU crafted by Snyder, DC Studios and Gunn are embracing familiar faces from that era, blending legacy characters into the evolving franchise.
Several key actors from the Snyder era have already returned to DCU, including John Cena, Jason Momoa, Viola Davis, and Joel Kinnaman. Gunn has expressed openness to bringing back more Snyderverse talent as he shapes the future of the blue brand’s storytelling.
Composer Tom Holkenborg Joins Supergirl’s Team
The official Supergirl website confirmed that Dutch composer Tom Holkenborg, widely known as Junkie XL, will handle the score for this year’s DCU release. This marks Holkenborg’s third scoring credit for DC projects and his first since Zack Snyder’s Justice League in 2021. His musical style, which combines dramatic and intense rock opera elements, has long been associated with the mythic atmosphere of Snyder’s cinematic vision.
Previously, Holkenborg collaborated with Hans Zimmer on Man of Steel and co-composed Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. He originally composed Justice League’s score solo, but after Zack Snyder’s departure, his work was replaced by Danny Elfman’s. Still, Holkenborg’s music returned for Snyder’s director’s cut of Justice League, released on HBO Max.
Interestingly, Supergirl’s music credits recently shifted from Ramin Djawadi, known for his work on Iron Man and Game of Thrones, who was named in the teaser trailer just two months ago. DC Studios has a history of late-stage composer changes, as seen when David Fleming joined John Murphy for the score of the upcoming Superman film slated for 2025.
Returning Snyderverse Cast: Jason Momoa as Lobo
Junkie XL is not the only Snyderverse figure returning for Supergirl. Jason Momoa, formerly Aquaman, is reprising a new character role as the anti-hero Lobo in the film. The cast also features Milly Alcock as Supergirl, Eve Ridley as Ruthye Marye Knoll, Matthias Schoenaerts portraying Krem of the Yellow Hills, and David Corenswet as Superman.
Junkie XL’s high-energy, emotionally charged scores are among the most admired components of Snyder’s DC trilogy, contributing significantly to its epic and mythic tone. His return alongside Momoa reflects DC Studios’ intent to bridge beloved elements of the past with their expanding cinematic universe.
Potential for Zack Snyder’s Return to DC Projects
There remains a vocal fan base who hope Zack Snyder might someday return to DC, even as James Gunn leads the creative direction of the DCU. Surprisingly, Gunn and Snyder share a friendly relationship, with Gunn having written the script for Snyder’s 2004 film Dawn of the Dead.
Considering the return of several Snyderverse contributors, speculation persists about whether Snyder himself might rejoin DC in some capacity. The DCU has projects like The Authority, which could offer an ideal platform for Snyder’s distinctive style, or the Snyderverse might continue through Elseworlds animated projects.
Currently, Snyder is focused on post-production for his war drama, The Last Photograph, while DC Studios gears up for its 2026 lineup featuring Supergirl, Lanterns, and Clayface. Despite uncertainties, the possibility of future collaborations between Snyder and Gunn remains a hopeful prospect for fans and the studio alike.
