James Gunn Confirms Darkseid Absence in New DC Universe, Cites Thanos Similarities

DC Studios co-head James Gunn has confirmed a major villain will sit out the new DC Universe’s initial chapters. He stated Darkseid will not be the overarching antagonist in the franchise’s first saga. The filmmaker made the announcement during a recent interview. He explained the decision stems from key similarities with a famous Marvel foe.

The powerful Lord of Apokolips was a central figure in Zack Snyder’s previous DC Extended Universe films. Gunn now leads the creative reboot alongside Peter Safran. His reasoning points directly to the character’s parallels with the Mad Titan, Thanos, from the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Why The Cosmic Tyrant Is Being Shelved For Now

Gunn discussed his plans with the outlet New Rockstars. He was direct about the comparative issue. “Aspects of Darkseid and Thanos are obviously very similar,” Gunn stated. He noted their visual resemblance is a significant factor. The studio wants to avoid immediate comparisons for audiences.

“Using Darkseid as the big bad right now is not necessarily the thing, for a lot of reasons,” Gunn added. He acknowledged Zack Snyder’s prior handling of the character. He also pointed to the massive cultural footprint of the Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame villain. This creates a unique challenge for the new DCU’s storytelling.

The decision signals a clear desire to differentiate the new franchise. It aims to carve its own path separate from both the old DCEU and the rival MCU. This allows other antagonists to take center stage in upcoming projects.

Building A Cohesive “One Big Story” For The DCU

Gunn emphasized the long-term, connected plan for the DC Universe. He referred to it as “one big story.” Each film and series must serve this broader narrative. Yet, he also stressed that individual entries should stand on their own for casual viewers.

This approach mirrors successful shared universe models but with a focused vision. The first chapter, “Gods and Monsters,” will establish new versions of heroes like Superman. It will likely introduce its own original major threats. Gunn has previously confirmed he will direct the new Superman film, titled Superman: Legacy.

The move is a strategic recalibration. It leverages familiar characters while avoiding recent narrative fatigue. Fans can expect a fresh roadmap that builds new stakes over time.

The absence of Darkseid marks a definitive break from past DC cinematic efforts. James Gunn’s new DCU is prioritizing distinct villains to build its unique identity. This long-term strategy aims to establish a lasting and cohesive universe.

Info at your fingertips

Q1: Why is Darkseid not in the new DCU?

James Gunn cited strong similarities with Marvel’s Thanos. He also noted Zack Snyder’s recent use of the character. The new DCU wants a fresh start with different antagonists.

Q2: Will Darkseid ever appear in the DCU later?

Gunn’s comments suggest the character is shelved “for now.” He did not rule out a future appearance. It would likely happen much later in the franchise’s planned story.

Q3: Who will be the main villain of the new DCU instead?

Specific villains have not been officially named. The first phase, “Gods and Monsters,” may feature other threats from DC lore. Creators are focusing on new stories separate from the DCEU.

Q4: What did James Gunn say about Superman?

Gunn confirmed he is directing *Superman: Legacy*. He described it as part of a larger, interconnected plan. He wants the film to work both as a standalone story and a chapter in the bigger DCU saga.

Q5: Is the new DCU connected to the old DCEU movies?

No, the DC Universe reboot is a clean slate. It is not a continuation of films like *Justice League*. It will feature new actors and fresh storylines under Gunn and Safran’s leadership.