AceShowbiz - James Gunn is set to clarify the canonical relationship between the new DC Universe (DCU) and the previous Snyderverse, addressing lingering questions for fans. Though the DC Studios co-CEO largely started fresh with a soft reboot of the franchise, he acknowledges the need to explain how—or if—elements from the earlier Snyder-led DC Extended Universe (DCEU) fit into the new continuity.

James Gunn first joined the DCEU with 2021’s The Suicide Squad, which was a standalone project distinct from Zack Snyder’s vision. Later, as co-CEO of DC Studios since late 2023, Gunn has been spearheading a new era of the DC Universe, beginning with HBO Max’s animated series Creature Commandos as part of the first chapter titled "Gods and Monsters." Despite this fresh start, he has confirmed that some characters, like Xolo Maridueña’s Blue Beetle from the 2023 film, continue to be part of the DCU.

Further clarity came with the second season of Peacemaker, which provided a "Previously in the DCU" recap that helped distinguish the new canon. The season also altered Justice League cameos from the first season to a group called the Justice Gang, featuring new versions of heroes such as David Corenswet’s Superman, Edi Gathegi’s Mister Terrific, and Milly Alcock’s Supergirl, replacing Snyderverse versions and signaling a clear break from the previous continuity.

In a recent conversation on Threads, Gunn addressed fan questions about connections between The Suicide Squad, its standalone sequel, and Blue Beetle with the Snyderverse. He admitted that he has been "thinking about this a lot" and plans to rewatch the latter two movies carefully to identify any canonical ties, especially now that he has nearly three years of experience leading the new franchise and several years of scripts in development.

He revealed plans to create special podcast episodes after finishing production on his upcoming Superman sequel, Man of Tomorrow, which is scheduled for release in July 2027. These podcasts will feature discussions with stars Jennifer Holland and Steve Agee to explore and possibly clarify any lingering canonical questions. Gunn also invited fans to submit their thoughts on what they believe might or might not be canon from The Suicide Squad and Blue Beetle.

The Snyderverse concluded prematurely, with Zack Snyder’s planned Justice League sequels canceled, leaving his trilogy incomplete. Since then, Gunn has confirmed the previous franchise is effectively over, even as he maintains a professional relationship with Snyder. Projects like the animated Mister Miracle have recast key characters such as Darkseid to fit the new timeline.

The second season of Peacemaker helped clear some confusion by replacing Snyderverse cameos with new versions of characters. For example, only Nathan Fillion and Isabela Merced appeared visibly as Guy Gardner’s Green Lantern and Hawkgirl, respectively, with other silhouettes replaced by new DCU characters. However, some mysteries remain, such as the fate of Idris Elba’s Bloodsport, who was imprisoned for shooting Superman with a Kryptonite bullet—an event that could reference either David Corenswet’s or Henry Cavill’s Superman.

Additionally, Blue Beetle included a notable joke about Batman being a fascist, but it’s unclear which Batman the film referenced. Another inconsistency involves a shot of the LexCorp building instead of LutherCorp, which appears in other DCU properties. While this can be corrected with CGI, it highlights ongoing continuity challenges. The original Blue Beetle, Ted Kord’s story, remains unresolved but may be addressed in an upcoming animated series.

James Gunn’s commitment to addressing these canonical questions may bring mixed emotions to fans of the Snyderverse. If he confirms that elements from previous films remain part of his plans, it could keep alive hopes for future collaborations between Gunn and Snyder, possibly as an Elseworlds continuation or a related storyline within the new DCU framework. Conversely, there is a chance that the upcoming podcasts will definitively sever canonical ties to the Snyderverse, helping the new franchise distinguish itself fully.

Given that Gunn plans to record these discussions after the release of Man of Tomorrow, fans should expect clarity no earlier than Fall 2027. This timeline suggests a patient and deliberate approach to resolving lingering questions about continuity within the expanding DC Universe.

As the DC Universe continues to evolve under James Gunn and Peter Safran, fans eagerly await the definitive word on how much of the Snyderverse survives—or is permanently set aside—in the new continuity. The upcoming Man of Tomorrow movie and subsequent podcasts promise to deliver important insights into the future direction of the franchise and its complex canon.