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DCU: Which actors are coming back to DC? James Gunn told us three of them

The Superman: Legacy director took to Threads recently to quash some speculation as to which familiar faces we'll see in the DCU.

Features by Grant DeArmitt, Staff Writer

Published on Wed Sep 27 2023

We're just a little less than a year away from the official beginning of the DCU with the animated Creature Commandos streaming series on Max. However, that hasn't stopped rampant speculation from fans about what we're getting with the DCU.

James Gunn, co-architect of the DCU along with Peter Safran, has waded into those conversations more than a few times, usually just to shut down rumors about the upcoming cinematic universe. But today, Gunn took a different tactic. Rather than telling us what won't be in the DCU, he confirmed what will. Or rather, who will.

Yes, James Gunn has confirmed not one, but THREE previous DC actors that will return to their characters in the DCU.

The announcement came from Gunn's personal Threads account, and began with some discussion on continuity. If you're wondering, Gunn started off the thread by informing fans that nothing was canon in the DCU until Creature Commandos drops next year. Then, after a question about Blue Beetle came up, Gunn decided to let us in on a little secret:

"Xolo Maridueña will continue playing Blue Beetle in the DCU, as Viola Davis will Amanda Waller, and John Cena will Peacemaker."

Now, this information isn't 100% new. Gunn had already confirmed Maridueña's return as Jaime Reyes/Blue Beetle, which we reported on in July.

Via Twitter, Gunn also confirmed a second season of Peacemaker and tentative plans for a Waller spinoff, though this is our first time hearing that those actors will play those will belong in the DCU, whether their series are or not.

Perhaps most surprising about this list is just how short it is. Do you see Margot Robbie's name on there? What about Zachary Levi? Of course, there's always the possibility that Gunn's list just isn't complete, but it does make you wonder if this was as much an announcement of who will be returning as it was of who won't.

And by the way, if you're wondering why you don't see either Robert Pattinson or Joaquin Phoenix on this list, despite knowing that they'll be returning as Batman and Joker respectively, remember that Gunn has clarified that these movies will exist as "Elseworlds."

Creature Commandos is set to begin the DCU, officially, when it streams on Max in 2024.

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Grant DeArmitt: Grant DeArmitt (he/him) likes horror, comics, and the unholy union of the two. As Popverse's Staff Writer, he criss-crosses the pop culture landscape bringing you the news and opinions about the big things (and the next big things). In the past, and despite their better judgment, he has written for Nightmare on Film Street and Newsarama. He lives in Brooklyn with his partner, Kingsley, and corgi, Legs.