Jason Momoa has been cast in a newDC Universerole, and that increases the chances that other DCEU stars could come back to the franchise in exciting new roles. Momoa led DC’s highest-grossing film of all time, 2018’sAquaman. Due to that, it was always expected that the actor would play one of theDCU’s canon characters. As such, his return was not a surprise, but the fact thathe ditched Aquaman to play Lobowas the interesting part of the announcement.
DCEU stars had already returnedinJames Gunn’s DC Universe. However, John Cena as Peacemaker, Viola Davis as Amanda Waller, and most of the other returning stars reprised their characters. Momoa’s high-profile recast as Lobo sparks more possibilities forupcoming DC movies, as Gunn’s DCU could bring back some major DCEU stars in new roles, and the director has even talked to a few actors about such an idea.
10Asher Angel As Nightwing
Played Billy Batson In The DCEU
AfterShazam! Fury of the Godsbombed at the box office, and star Zachary Levi’s performance was criticized, it is likely that the characters in the franchise will sit out of the DCU for some time. This could free stars like Asher Angel to play new DCU roles. WhileLevi’s performance inShazam! Fury of the Godsfaced criticism, Angel’s was the movie’s most positive aspect.
The young actor can bring a lot of emotion to his roles. Angel also made Billy Batson one of the DCEU’s most charismatic characters, and that is a key trait of DC Comics' Dick Grayson. Since the Batfamily will appear in the DCU, Angel could play Nightwing, graduating to a superhero now and not just his regular counterpart. It also helps thatAsher Angel has teased playing Nightwingandhas bulked up considerably since hisShazam!days.
9Ben Affleck As James Gordon
Played Batman In The DCEU
This one might be a controversial choice. Having Ben Affleck go from Batman, arguably DC’s most popular hero, to Jim Gordon, one of the Dark Knight’s most important supporting characters, might not land well with some fans. However, it isthe kind of legacy casting that DC has done in the past, and Affleck would excel as Jim Gordon. If the DCU’s Batman was around Superman actor David Corenswet’s age — 31 — then Affleck’s Gordon would be around 20 years older than him.
The DC Universe Just Revealed Its New Batman
After Ben Affleck left DC for a new Batman to be cast, James Gunn’s DC Universe has just released the first look at its new Dark Knight.
James Gunn previously revealed thathe hoped Affleck would join the DCU as a director. While Affleck later said he had no interest in that, a return as Jim Gordon would allow the star to tap into his past Batman experience without the drama of the previous DC regime. Affleck loves noir stories, as seen by his passion projectLive By Night, and as the gruff Gordon, he could have that with the GCPD.
8Jesse Eisenberg As The Riddler
Played Lex Luthor In The DCEU
Recently, Jesse Eisenberg revealed that he felt his criticized version ofLex Luthor in the DCEU hurt his careerin a real way. Eisenberg is a very talented actor, as his work in movies likeThe Social Networkshow, he was just not a good fit for Lex Luthor. However, the way the actor portrayed Superman’s nemesis inBatman v Superman: Dawn of Justicewould make him the perfect pick for a Batman villain.
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Based on the projects announced for James Gunn’s new DC Universe, there are exciting options for the DCU’s endgame with major characters involved.
While Lex Luthor is a cold, calculating character,the Riddler can be more outlandishin how he displays his intelligence. The manic energy that Eisenberg brought to his Lex would make him perfect for the Riddler in Gunn’s DCU. Since the franchise is said to be closer to the comics, the actor could fully delve into that stylized approach instead of the realistic Riddler fromThe Batmanuniverse.
7Grace Caroline Currey As Wonder Woman
Played Mary Bromfield/Marvel In The DCEU
If James Gunn’s DC Universe has no problem going back to DCEU stars for new roles, then one of those could be for one of the DCU’s biggest players. Wonder Woman has only appeared in the DCU so farin aCreature Commandoscameo, where she was dead in a vision of a bleak future alongside Batman, Superman, and many other heroes.
That was enough to confirm DC’s concrete plans to have the Trinity together again in the Justice League. Since Gunn previously said that Batman could be a couple of years older than Superman star David Corenswet, who is 31,the 28-year-old Grace Caroline Currey would be the perfect age for Wonder Woman. InShazam! Fury of the Gods, Currey showed she could nail a fierce and confident hero and make her extremely charismatic, which is perfect for Wonder Woman.
6Gal Gadot As Talia Al Ghul
Played Wonder Woman In The DCEU
Another member of the DCEU’s Trinity that could return to DC in Gunn’s franchise is Gal Gadot. The actresshad talks with DC Studios co-CEOs James Gunn and Peter Safran. Gadot even claimed at one point that she was going to work onWonder Woman 3with them before reports said there was no truth to that. Since she is out as Wonder Woman, Gadot could play a role guaranteed for the DCU.
Batman’sThe Brave and the Boldmovie will feature the live-action debut of Damian Wayne. The character is the fourth male Robin in DC Comics andthe son of Bruce Wayne and Talia al Ghul. Like Gadot’s Wonder Woman, Talia possesses a fierce spirit and skilled fighting ability, which would make the transition easy. Gadot also had great chemistry with Ben Affleck’s Bruce Wayne, something she could emulate for the new Batman as Talia.
5Jeffrey Dean Morgan As Deathstroke
Played Thomas Wayne In The DCEU
Jeffrey Dean Morgan is one of the actors the DCEU really underutilized. As Negan inThe Walking Dead, Morgan has shown his ability to play a frightening villain who steals every scene he is in. Throughout his career, the actor’s physicality and ability playing brawlers, likeWatchmen’s Comedian orSupernatural’s John Winchester, cemented his skills for superhero fare. In the DCEU, Morgan was Batman’s father,not used as Thomas Wayne’s Batman inThe Flash’s take on Flashpoint.
The DCU’s Violent New Release Has Me Excited To See What Its R-Rated Movies Will Be Like
James Gunn’s new DC Universe has only just started, but the latest violent entry in the franchise shows the potential for DC’s planned R-rated movies.
James Gunn’s DC Universe could treat him a lot better. At 58, Jeffrey Dean Morgan would make for a pitch-perfect Deathstroke. Slade Wilson has gray hair and a beard, many years of combat experience, and is a threat to pretty much every hero in the DCU.Morgan could make Deathstroke an imposing character in the DCUwith the potential to become a fan favorite in no time.
4Lauren Cohan As Queen Hippolyta
Played Martha Wayne In The DCEU
Accompanying Jeffrey Dean Morgan in the DCU could be hisThe Walking Deadand DCEU co-star Lauren Cohan. The actress played Martha Wayne, aka Bruce’s mother, in the DCEU. SinceThe Flashopted to do a new take on Flashpoint with Michael Keaton’s Batman coming back,Cohan was also relegated to just a cameo in the franchise, never playing the deranged Joker version of Martha from the classic DC Comics story.
As Maggie inThe Walking Deaduniverse, Cohan has shown that she would beperfect for a position of leadership in the DCU. If she were a decade younger, the actress would be the DCU’s ideal Wonder Woman. Still, Cohan could be involved with that part of the franchise by playing Queen Hippolyta. Wonder Woman’s mother could be a key part of the DCU through theParadise Lostseries, and Cohan has the dramatic skills and action experience necessary for theGame of Thrones-like show focused on the Amazons of Themyscira.
3Sasha Calle As Raven
Played Supergirl In The DCEU
Sasha Calle was originally meant to continue in the DCEU as Supergirl. However, when Gunn took over DC, those plans were scrapped. SinceHouse of the Dragon’s Milly Alcock will play Kara inSupergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, the DCU could bring back Calle into the fray in a new role. The actress played an alternate universe version of Supergirl, who was darker than the character normally is.
Calle showed potential as that type of hero, which makes her an interesting pick for Raven in the DCU. Since Dick Grayson is the first Robin of the Teen Titans and Damian Wayne, the fourth male Robin, is the most likely to be part of the team inthe DCU’s Teen Titans movie, the 29-year-old Calle could pass for an early 20s Raven. The actress has the skills to bring Raven’s tortured persona and dark backstory to life.
2Bruna Marquezine As Batgirl
Played Jenny Kord In The DCEU
Blue Beetledid not leave a mark at the box office. Due to that, the DCU has likely had to reevaluate plans for the character, who will no longer lead a movie series. Instead, Jaime Reyes should next be seen in theBlue Beetleanimated show that is in development. Since it has been said that the movie is not DCU canon, perhaps Bruna Marquezine’s Jenny Kord will not make the jump.
Bruna Marquezine almost played Supergirl in the DCEU’s The Flash, ending the casting process as the runner-up for the role.
This way, Ted Kord could be explored in the live-actionBooster Goldseries whileMarquezine takes on a bigger DCU role that allows her to truly shine. The actress would be a great name for Batgirl. Marquezine recently turned in a magnetic performance inBia & Victor: Love of My Life. Coupled with her charismatic and daring turn inBlue Beetle, the actress would make Barbara Gordon’s Batgirl one of the DCU’s most engaging heroes, with her intelligence, charisma, and sense of humor on display.
1Henry Cavill As The Human Target
Played Superman In The DCEU
Finally, former Superman actor Henry Cavill closes the list. The star had just returned to his role as the Man of Steel a few months before Gunn and Safran took over DC and chose to recast Superman. Despite that decision, Cavill could still work with the duo in the DCU, asGunn revealed they had talks with Cavill about a few available DCU rolesfor him down the line.
Cameo
June 17, 2025
While there are a few characters Cavill could be great as, the lead role in a possibleThe Human Targetlimited series would be the best. Cavill’s past in projects likeThe Man from U.N.C.L.E.shows he would nail the suave persona of P.I. Christopher Chancein this noir tale. Since DC Comics writer Tom King is one of the DCU’s masterminds, an adaptation of his epicThe Human Targetwith Cavill in theDCUcould happen.
DC Universe
The DC Universe is one of the biggest comic book franchises and often competes with Marvel. DC Comics started as National Allied Publications, founded by Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson in 1935. Since then, the franchise has exploded with thousands of comic books, movies, TV shows, and video games. 2013 marked the beginning of the most recent iteration of the superheroes, with Zack Snyder introducing Henry Cavill as Superman. After several movies with mixed reviews, DC underwent a soft reboot under the helm of James Gunn and Peter Safran.
