James Gunn Explains Why Darkseid Won’t Be the DCU’s Ultimate Villain – and What Might Come Next

James Gunn, the creative mind now shaping the future of DC Studios, has made it clear that his cinematic universe won’t be building toward Darkseid as its ultimate villain. In a candid interview with popular YouTube channels known for dissecting superhero lore – including New Rockstars and ScreenCrush – Gunn explained that Darkseid has already had his moment under Zack Snyder’s vision, and repeating that arc would neither feel fresh nor distinct, especially after Marvel’s own cosmic tyrant, Thanos, dominated the superhero landscape for a decade.

For years, fans speculated that Darkseid – ruler of Apokolips, seeker of the Anti-Life Equation, and one of DC’s most iconic antagonists – would be the natural endgame threat in Gunn’s newly established DC Universe (DCU). That speculation only grew louder after Peacemaker Season 2 ended with its titular antihero trapped on the mysterious Planet Salvation, a world that in the comics has connections to Darkseid’s Parademons. However, Gunn swiftly dismissed this theory, stating that the narrative direction for the DCU is veering elsewhere.

“Using Darkseid as the big bad right now is not necessarily the thing,” Gunn said, elaborating that both creative legacy and audience fatigue influenced this decision. “Zack did it so cool in his way, and Thanos already covered that ground for Marvel. So, we’re focusing on new mythologies.”

Gunn’s comments underscore a larger shift in approach: he’s less interested in repeating old conflicts and more focused on expanding the DC cosmic lore in unexpected directions. He praised Jack Kirby’s expansive “Fourth World” mythology – the universe that birthed Darkseid and the New Gods – but emphasized that his interest now lies in exploring characters like Mister Miracle rather than resurrecting past battles. “The New Gods are fascinating,” Gunn said, “and I’ve got a Mister Miracle screenplay on my shelf right now. That’s the kind of storytelling space that excites me – something rich, weird, and character-driven.”

Fans wondering who the next major DCU villain might be will need patience. Gunn hinted that answers will emerge gradually, suggesting that Superman: Man of Tomorrow, the 2027 sequel to his upcoming Superman film, could introduce Brainiac as the central antagonist. That would align with long-standing fan hopes of seeing Superman face a cerebral, technologically advanced nemesis rather than another godlike bruiser. Gunn teased that Superman and Lex Luthor might even join forces temporarily to combat Brainiac’s threat – a dynamic that could redefine the moral tension at the heart of DC’s flagship hero.

As for Peacemaker, Gunn confirmed there are no current plans for a third season. “Right now, it’s about the wider DCU,” he said during a press roundtable. “This is the point where stories start overlapping. Peacemaker’s role evolves beyond his own show – he’s stepping into the larger universe.” John Cena’s Peacemaker, who began as a violent parody of patriotism, has grown into one of Gunn’s cornerstone characters. “He’s important to me,” Gunn added. “We want to elevate the big icons – Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman – but also create new diamond-level characters out of the smaller ones, like Peacemaker.”

Peacemaker’s journey, according to Gunn, will continue through future DCU films and series, even if not in his own show. Fans can expect him to cross paths with established heroes and new faces alike as the DCU expands. When asked if Peacemaker would appear in the upcoming Supergirl film (set for 2026) or Man of Tomorrow, Gunn laughed and offered a coy, “That’s a secret!”

Beyond Peacemaker, DC Studios’ roadmap appears ambitious. 2026 will bring Supergirl and a Clayface feature, alongside the long-awaited Lanterns TV series focusing on Hal Jordan and John Stewart. 2027 follows with Man of Tomorrow, and on a separate track, Matt Reeves’ The Batman Part II – which exists outside Gunn’s DCU continuity – is slated for release that same year. Meanwhile, DC Animation continues to expand with Creature Commandos, Mister Miracle, and new series centered on Starfire and Green Lantern.

Gunn’s decision not to revisit Darkseid may frustrate some fans who consider the villain a necessary pillar of DC’s mythology. Many remember Snyder’s Darkseid as a chilling, operatic presence whose mere shadow defined the DCEU’s cosmic scale. But Gunn’s vision isn’t about nostalgia – it’s about reconstruction. By moving away from gods and anti-life equations, he’s carving room for new arcs and emotional stakes that may resonate more deeply with modern audiences weary of end-of-the-universe plots.

Still, this strategy isn’t without risk. Some fans fear Gunn’s humor-heavy tone could undercut the gravitas of DC’s icons, especially Superman. While Snyder’s interpretation was often criticized as too somber, it gave Superman mythic weight – something that, for certain audiences, Gunn’s playful tone has yet to achieve. However, as Gunn reminds viewers, his Superman is still young, still finding his identity. “This isn’t the finished version of Superman,” one fan speculated. “He’ll grow into the symbol everyone admires.” That sentiment captures both skepticism and hope – the emotional balancing act Gunn’s DCU now faces.

For now, Gunn’s greatest challenge lies in redefining what the DCU stands for: less about retelling old epics, more about inventing new ones. Whether that gamble pays off will depend not on gods or titans, but on how deeply audiences connect with the humanity beneath the capes.