Superman has change into one of many greatest hits of the summer time film season, kicking off the DCU in earnest after Creature Commandos supplied a comfortable launch on the finish of 2024. Following the field workplace and important response of Superman, adopted by Peacemaker Season 2 and the hype for each Supergirl and Lanterns, that is most likely one of the best time to be a DC fan in over a decade. Followers will not have to attend lengthy to see extra Superman, as James Gunn is engaged on a follow-up movie, one he says will not be a conventional sequel however will probably be a part of what he sees as a four-film saga.
The one feedback Gunn has made concerning the film are that it is without doubt one of the subsequent movies within the manufacturing pipeline, one that might arrive as quickly as 2027. It’ll additionally give attention to a couple of characters launched in Superman. With the DCU being new, there are many instructions to take the upcoming Superman movie and the way it may develop the DCU.
Listed below are 10 characters that we expect may match into a variety of totally different instructions Gunn may take the Superman sequel, together with fan-favorite supporting characters, iconic villains, and a few further heroes from throughout the DC Universe.
Bloodsport
Created by John Bryne
First Look: Superman vol. 2 #4 (April 1987)
Bloodsport was launched in James Gunn’s The Suicide Squad and performed by Idris Elba. The character was a world-class murderer, one of many deadliest folks on the planet, who discovered himself recruited into Process Drive X and reluctantly grew to become the workforce’s chief, even stopping Starro the Conqueror. Although Bloodsport taking pictures Superman with a Kryptonite bullet has been retconned out of the DCU, it could be nice to see the character return and face off in opposition to the Man of Metal, even when just for a quick scene.
It could be a pleasant reunion between Elba and director James Gunn, but additionally additional connects the occasions of The Suicide Squad with the DCU and permits audiences to observe up with the character. What’s much more fascinating is the prospect of seeing him as an antagonist. After a film the place the viewers rooted for and empathized with Bloodsport, that includes him in a Superman sequel as a contract killer doing his job and placing him in a struggle with Superman, it could present that the DCU is not afraid to modify up how audiences see sure characters.
Renee Montoya/The Query
Created by Bruce Timm, Paul Dini, and Mitch Brian
First Look: Batman: The Animated Collection Season 1 Episode 9 “Fairly Poison” (September 14, 1992)
Superman demonstrated that DCU initiatives may function heroes and villains from throughout the comics’ historical past, not simply these generally related to the title hero. After Superman launched the likes of Mister Terrific and Metamorpho, a Superman sequel ought to observe swimsuit, and one welcome addition to the forged can be Renee Montoya/The Query. Initially launched in Batman: The Animated Collection, Renee Montoya shortly discovered her manner into the comics. In 2007, the character adopted the persona of The Query, beforehand a hero from Charlton Comics like Peacemaker and Blue Beetle, who was even the inspiration for Rorschach in Watchmen.
Regardless of Montaya usually being related to the Gotham Metropolis a part of the DC Universe, she has discovered herself touring all around the world. Renee Montoya’s Query performs an enormous function in Greg Rucka’s Lois Lane: Enemy of the Folks, working with Lois Lane to uncover info for an investigation. Pairing The Query with Lois Lane is likely to be one of the best avenue for a Superman sequel, because it helps set up that Lois Lane has her personal superhero connections exterior of Superman. The involvement of The Query additionally opens the door for a conspiracy-coded Superman movie, one that might even steer into Clark and Lois’s roles as journalists. All of the President’s Males and Highlight meet Superman is a powerful pitch. Rosie Perez performed Renee Montoya in Birds of Prey, so her function could possibly be folded into the DCU’s continuity, or they may function a brand new model of the character.
Captain Atom (Nathanial Adam)
Created by Cary Bates, Greg Weisman, and Pat Broderick
First Look: Captain Atom vol. 3 #1 (March 1987)
Just like the Query and Peacemaker, Captain Atom is one other character that DC acquired from Charlton Comics and have become an inspiration for a Watchmen character. On this case, Physician Manhattan. Essentially the most well-known model of Captain Atom is Christopher Adam, a United States Air Drive officer who’s experimented on and remodeled right into a superhero with huge management of nuclear power. Captain Atom is without doubt one of the strongest characters within the DC Universe, and the proper ally and foe for Superman.
Given Superman’s distinction as a hero who transcends nationwide boundaries and disregards border guidelines, it logically follows that the sequel may introduce a superhero underneath the management of the US authorities. Captain Atom is a navy man, one loyal to his nation. Even when he would not wish to struggle Superman, he’ll, as seen within the wonderful Cadmus storyline from the Justice League Limitless sequence. Captain Atom shouldn’t be solely an excellent bodily antagonist for Superman, however one whose existence is what many individuals mistake Superman’s to be: somebody who solutions to the whims of the US authorities.
Black Lightning
Created by Jenny Blake Isabella with Trevor Von Eeden
First Look: Black Lightning #1 (April 1977)
Superman is not the one hero of Metropolis, as town can also be dwelling to Jefferson Pierce/Black Lightning. Typically depicted as a college instructor in one in every of Metropolis’ lower-income areas, the Suicide Slums, Black Lightning has the flexibility to manage and manipulate electrical energy. He additionally has two daughters who possess his comparable electrical powers, Anissa/Thunder and Jennifer/Lightning.
Metropolis is without doubt one of the most vital areas in Superman’s historical past, but the movies usually do not discover town in nice element. Black Lightning affords the opportunity of a Superman sequel offering a brand new perspective on Metropolis with a hero who appears to be like out for the little man and offers with systemic points within the classroom whereas Superman tackles bigger threats that put the world at stake. Black Lightning may even be depicted as an older, extra seasoned superhero, one near retirement, and his two daughters coming into their very own as heroes in varied different DCU initiatives.
Mister Mxyzptlk
Created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster
First Look: Superman #30 (September / October 1944)
The villain with the identify that’s seemingly unattainable to pronounce, Mister Mxyzptlk, is one in every of Superman’s oldest and strongest foes. He was even created by Superman creators Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. A fifth-dimensional imp that may management actuality, Mister Mxyzptlk can vary from a easy nuisance for Superman to a full-blown menace. Whereas we do not anticipate him to be the headlining villain (although that will be superior), it appears like, in spite of everything this time, he ought to make an look.
The presence of imps has already been teased in each Superman and Peacemaker. Superman options the Justice Gang battling an interdimensional imp within the background whereas Superman and Lois Lane have a heart-to-heart, however James Gunn has confirmed that it was not Mister Mxyzptlk. Then, in Peacemaker Season 2’s opening episode, a reference to an imp dimension is made. It appears like James Gunn has a fascination with DC’s imp characters like Mister Mxyzptlk and Bat-Mite (who was name-dropped in Peacemaker Season 1). An look by Mister Mxyzptlk can be an excellent payoff to those seemingly throwaway traces.
Common Sam Lane
Created by Robert Bernstein and Kurt Schaffenberger
First Look: Superman’s Lady Good friend, Lois Lane #13 (November 1959)
Regardless of there being quite a few Superman movies, none have explored Lois Lane’s household. It is a story improvement that tv sequence like Smallville, Superman & Lois, and My Adventures with Superman have usually explored in additional element. But Lois’s relationship along with her father, Sam Lane, is a vital a part of her character that the DCU ought to dive into. Whereas on the floor, Lois Lane’s father being a disapproving navy man of her superpowered boyfriend appears similar to the Thaddeus Ross/Betty Ross/Bruce Banner dynamic of Hulk comics, Sam Lane truly may serve an important function within the DCU.
The romantic relationship between Superman and Lois was a spotlight of the 2025 movie, and the sequel ought to develop on that by delving deeper into each’s previous and household. Superman noticed Lois Lane assembly Clark’s adopted dad and mom, and now, for the following step of their relationship, Lois must introduce her boyfriend to her father. The query is, does she introduce Superman or Clark Kent? Sam Lane wouldn’t solely give the viewer a brand new aspect to Lois Lane to see and discover her historical past, but additionally present for a enjoyable Meet the Mother and father dynamic within the sequel.
Lana Lang
Created by Invoice Finger and John Sikela
First Look: Superboy #10 (September/October 1950)
Constructing on the concept that a Superman sequel ought to develop Clark and Lois’ relationship, what higher strategy to construct on that than by bringing in Lana Lang, Clark Kent’s highschool sweetheart and the primary love of his life? Lana’s introduction not solely permits for a brand new examination of Lois and Clark’s dynamic, but additionally for James Gunn to additional discover what Clark’s life was like in Smallville earlier than turning into Superman. Current comics and the tv present Superman & Lois made Lana Lang a love curiosity to John Henry Irons/Metal, one other Superman supporting character we want to see launched within the DCU sooner or later.
Lana Lang’s introduction additionally opens the door for a few of her superpowered personas. She has taken on the moniker of the character Insect Queen and later Superwoman, gaining powers just like Superman. Whereas her Insect Queen persona was heroic, Gunn may create a hybrid of her and the second, which was an alien villain, and have Lana Lang change into contaminated with an alien parasite and change into a menace that Superman must take care of, one with a private attachment to him. In the meantime, adapting the Superwoman persona would give Gunn the prospect to discover what occurs when a standard particular person is given the powers of Superman.
Brainiac
Created by Otto Binder and Al Plastino
First Look: Motion Comics #242 (1958)
Subsequent to Lex Luthor, Brainiac is Superman’s archenemy. But the character has by no means appeared on the large display, however not for lack of making an attempt. James Gunn even stated he thought-about Brainiac because the villain for Superman, earlier than shifting to a extra easy Lex Luthor story (although a sketch of a Brainiac storyboard will be seen in Superman’s bonus options). Brainiac has had many various origins through the years, however the one commonality throughout the variations is a quest for information, and to make it extra beneficial, he tends to destroy a civilization however depart one metropolis intact, preserved and minaturized in a bottle.
He’s usually chargeable for shrinking the Kryptonian capital of Kandor, dwelling of Supergirl. Brainiac can tie into Superman’s quest to grasp his tradition extra, following the darkish revelation within the 2025 movie, but additionally Supergirl, who seemingly desires revenge on the villain who was chargeable for destroying her dwelling. Brainiac is the proper villain to unite Superman and Supergirl in a team-up movie. The most important argument in opposition to together with Brainiac in a direct Superman follow-up is that he’s a strong sufficient villain to unite the Justice League.
Mongul
Created by Len Wein and Jim Starlin
First Look: DC Comics Presents #27 (November 1980)
In the case of DC alien conquerors which might be just like Marvel’s Thanos, Darkseid is commonly the one which followers latch onto. But the DCU is likely to be higher off going with the opposite possibility, Mongul. Mongul is an alien warlord who controls a large house station the scale of the planet known as Warworld. he’s one in every of Superman’s most iconic foes, posing each a bodily menace and an emotional one, as seen within the landmark story “For the Man Who Has Every part,” the place Mongul traps Superman in a dream-like coma, mirroring his imagined dream life.
Mongul’s presence was truly teased in 2021’s The Suicide Squad, together with his daughter Mongal being a part of the primary Process Drive X workforce that died within the film’s opening act. What seems to be a throwaway character could possibly be a serious plot level for a future Superman film, as Mongul may assault Earth for what occurred to his daughter. As an alien warlord with a Loss of life Star-like battle station, he’s additionally a menace that will seemingly warrant extra than simply Superman, setting the stage for the Justice League and even one other superhero workforce, one whose solo movie has gotten caught in improvement hell at DC Studios.
The Authority
Created by Warren Ellis and Bryan Hitch
First Look: The Authority #1 (Might 1999)
The Authority was one of many huge titles that James Gunn teased for the DCU again in January 2023, however Warner Bros. has struggled to get the function movie off the bottom. The Authority is a superhero workforce that takes a extra proactive strategy, as they’ve been identified to kill and take management of world governments. The seeds of The Authority have been seemingly planted in Superman, because the film featured María Gabriela de Faría as Angela Spica/Engineer, a founding member of the workforce within the comics. What in the event that they merged an easy Authority film with the deliberate Superman follow-up?
We have already talked about how the Superman sequel may function him taking up The Authority. Superman’s motion interfering with world affairs seemingly may have long-term ramifications on the DCU, setting the stage for a gaggle like The Authority to implement their will on the planet, all within the identify of security and safety, forcing Superman to comprehend that even his good intentions can have damaging repercussions, but additionally if these repercussions are sufficient to negate the unique good motion. The membership of The Authority could possibly be anybody’s sport, because the movie may pull from the unique Authority lineup, their predecessors in Stormwatch, the DC Comics stand-in for the workforce, The Elite, and even the brand new incarnation launched within the 2021 line-up. Both manner, The Authority appears like a pure subsequent step for Superman’s DCU journey.
Superman
- Launch Date
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July 11, 2025
- Runtime
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130 minutes
- Director
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James Gunn
- Producers
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Peter Safran