The continuity of theDCUis…flexible, to put it as simply as possible. The rebooted DCU has now officially begun thanks to bothCreature CommandosandSuperman, with writer, director, and DC Studios bossJames Gunnhaving already worked within the DC cinematic universe back when it was known as the DCEU. Because of this, Gunn has carried over a few things from his prior efforts into the new universe – and he wants to bring more fan-favorite characters and their respective actors into the newly emerging franchise.
Gunn has, of course, already carried over one of the most popular iterations of a DC character from his 2021 superhero outingThe Suicide Squad, John Cena’s Christopher Smith, aka Peacemaker, who now leads his own spin-off series. Not only that,but this month’sPeacemakerSeason 2is all set to make the DCEU movie DCU canon, withCreature Commandos’ Frank Grillo returning as Rick Flag Sr. and seeking revenge on Smith for killing his son, Joel Kinnaman’s Rick Flag Jr., inThe Suicide Squad.
With this in mind,EWasked Gunn whether any other iterations of characters fromThe Suicide Squadcould follow in Cena’s footsteps and be folded into the DCU. Namely,Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn andIdris Elba’s Robert DuBois, aka Bloodsport. Regarding Robbie, theSupermandirector responded, “That will be revealed down the line.” Which, while cryptic, at least suggests that there are plans for Harley Quinn’s return.Whether she’ll be played by Robbie againor not, we’ll have to wait and see.
As for Elba’s Bloodsport, a characterwho has canonically shot Supermanwith a bullet made of Kryptonite, Gunn said, “I definitely am always looking for a place to put Bloodsport and figuring that out. So we’ll see what happens.”
How This Could Further Divide DC Fans
The likes of Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn, Idris Elba’s Bloodsport, andJohn Cena’s Peacemaker proved to be popularfollowing the release ofThe Suicide Squad. Meaning many won’t object to the idea of them returning and being added to the DCU. However, what could divide fans is James Gunn’s decision to use versions of characters he himself either created or used previously as part of the DCEU while leaving everything else to wither and die.
There still remains a faction of DCEU fans who long for what came before, most notablyas part of the Snyderverse, and no doubt Gunn simply focussing, and even reusing, his own elements from the DCU is sure to cause even more anger and division among this section of the fanbase.
While we wait and see when and how James Gunn plans to proceed with the possible return of Harley Quinn and Bloodsport, the DCU isall set to continue withPeacemakerSeason 2. Starring John Cena, Danielle Brooks, Freddie Stroma, and Jennifer Holland, the second season is due to debut on HBO Max on August 21, and follows Christopher Smith as he discovers an alternate world in which everything is perfect and Peacemaker is America’s favorite superhero.
Peacemaker
