James Gunn’s DC Universe will introduce a new major supervillain group in 2026, adding a third organized team of adversaries to the franchise’s evolving storyline. This announcement comes as fans anticipate the Justice Gang’s growth into the full Justice League, while the franchise simultaneously expands its villain roster, with several enemy teams already established and a new one debuting as early as this summer. The addition of these supervillain factions highlights the importance of formidable antagonists in shaping this rebooted universe.
The Emergence of The Brigands as Supergirl’s Main Foes
The Brigands, a ruthless group of space pirates and human traffickers, will headline the villain lineup in Craig Gillespie’s upcoming Supergirl film. This faction closely mirrors the villain team featured in Tom King’s comic book series Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, reflecting a clear intent to adhere to comic-accurate storytelling. Matthias Schoenaerts leads The Brigands as Krem of the Yellow Hills, portrayed with a distinct alien design, while Diarmaid Murtagh plays Drom Baxton, their second-in-command.
Kara Zor-El, played by Milly Alcock, stars in Supergirl alongside a smaller team that includes Ruthye (Eve Ridley) and her super-powered dog, Krypto. Unlike other DC Universe projects with broader ensemble casts, Supergirl’s story centers on this tight-knit group, providing a more intimate narrative focus despite the villainous forces arrayed against them.
Notably, Jason Momoa’s Lobo, another well-known villain, will not be part of The Brigands’ storyline. While he will feature in the shared universe, his narrative remains separate from this particular villain faction. The faithful adaptation of these comics signals that James Gunn’s approach aims for authenticity with the source material.
Previous Villain Teams in the James Gunn DC Universe
Prior to The Brigands’ introduction, the DC Universe reboot already established two significant supervillain groups. The first, seen in the Superman film, featured a core ensemble anchored by Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor. Alongside Luthor were the Engineer (Maria Gabriela de Faria), Ultraman, and Eve Teschmacher (Sara Sampaio). This team’s story arc involved intense conflicts culminating in their gradual dismantling, setting distinct paths for each character within the DCU’s broader narrative framework.
Lex Luthor emerged as the primary antagonist behind the Boravia and Jarhanpur conflict, motivated by envy of Superman before being arrested and exposed publicly. The Engineer was defeated in the climactic battle in Metropolis but survived, while Ultraman, revealed as a clone of Superman created by Luthor, disappeared into a black hole beneath the collapsing rift. Eve Teschmacher defied expectations by turning against Luthor after developing feelings for Skyler Gisondo’s Jimmy Olsen, leaking evidence of Luthor’s crimes, and later gaining freedom after her imprisonment in a pocket universe.
These developments leave room for potential alliances and new conflicts. Lex Luthor could attempt to recruit the Engineer in the future, although he remains confined in Belle Reve prison, complicating any immediate plans.
A Controversial Alliance Forms Between Lex Luthor and Rick Flag Sr.
A major turning point in the DC Universe is the newly formed alliance between Lex Luthor and Rick Flag Sr., played by Frank Grillo, revealed during Peacemaker Season 2. After Luthor’s arrest in Superman, he resurfaces in episode six of Peacemaker, initiating a partnership with Flag Sr. that persisted through the season finale and is expected to influence the 2027 film Man of Tomorrow.
This collaboration is particularly notable because Superman and Lex Luthor will temporarily ally in Man of Tomorrow to confront the threat of Brainiac, creating a rare scenario where Luthor operates on both sides of the moral divide. Meanwhile, Rick Flag Sr. serves as the ideological counterbalance to Lex. Originally introduced as a heroic figure in Creature Commandos, Flag Sr.’s grief over his son’s death and his quest for revenge against Peacemaker drove him into a more antagonistic role by the end of Peacemaker Season 2.
His harsh treatment of his own agents and secretive dealings with the alien organization QUC led certain allies, including Sasha Bordeaux (Sol Rodriguez) and Langston Fleury (Tim Meadows), to form the covert group Checkmate. This fracturing highlights growing tensions within the DC Universe’s power structures.
Implications of the Salvation Metahuman Prison
One of the most significant developments at the end of Peacemaker Season 2 is John Cena’s Peacemaker being incarcerated in Salvation, a metahuman prison conceived by Rick Flag Sr. Flag Sr. believes traditional detention facilities like Arkham Asylum and Belle Reve are inadequate for superpowered beings, advocating for a more secure and specialized containment approach. Lex Luthor is positioned as a crucial asset in Flag Sr.’s plans, likely providing resources to support Salvation’s operations.
This arrangement sets the stage for complex power dynamics within the DC Universe, potentially involving the imprisonment of Superman at Salvation in future storylines. The alliance between Luthor and Flag Sr. foreshadows escalating conflicts and morally ambiguous battles, raising the stakes for heroes and villains alike.
Expanding the DC Universe’s Supervillain Landscape
The addition of The Brigands as the third major villain team under James Gunn’s DC reboot adds depth and variety to the growing gallery of antagonists. Each group—whether Lex Luthor’s ensemble, the Luthor-Flag Sr. coalition, or The Brigands—contributes unique threats that challenge the heroes in different ways.
By integrating comic-accurate factions and complex character motivations, the DC Universe under Gunn is positioned to explore multifaceted conflicts with shades of moral complexity. As the franchise approaches 2026 and beyond, viewers and readers can expect further revelations about these villain teams’ roles, alliances, and the broader impact on iconic characters like Superman, Supergirl, and their allies.
