James Gunn’s DCU Timeline May Tease Gods & Monsters’ Big Bad (And It’s Not Darkseid)

James Gunn is lastly dropping nuggets about his DC Universe forward of the discharge of Superman, together with an vital date on the timeline that would reveal who the franchise’s heroes will face off in opposition to on the finish of Chapter One: Gods & Monsters.

Earlier than taking on the DCU, Gunn’s solely expertise with comedian ebook characters got here whereas taking part in within the Marvel Cinematic Universe sandbox. Marvel Studios had a particular plan from the beginning, kicking off its franchise with Iron Man, which noticed Tony Stark change into a hero after which be taught extra concerning the superb world he lived in (learn extra concerning the characters who wore the Iron Man armor within the MCU). 

To keep away from any comparisons, Gunn is taking a different approach. Earth’s residents in Superman have identified about metahumans for 300 years, viewing them extra like celebrities than terrifying beings that may do hurt to them. 

It’ll give Superman a really completely different really feel, with the Man of Metal having to seek out his place in a world that already has a formidable roster of heroes. Nonetheless, there could also be extra to it than that, as the concept of metahumans being within the public eye for tons of of years is a particular one.

Gunn is not saying that they confirmed up on Earth 300 years in the past, however that humanity grew to become conscious of them then. Meaning it is protected to imagine that they have been round for much longer than that, probably way back to prehistoric instances. 

That in all probability looks as if a stretch, however a serious DC villain gained unimaginable energy tens of 1000’s of years earlier than trendy instances and spent most of his life plotting and scheming behind the scenes. And if he is lively within the DCU, it isn’t going to imply good issues for Superman and Co. 

Vandal Savage Is Every part That Chapter One of many DCU Wants

After interacting with a meteorite, Vandal Savage grew to become immortal. He realized that, by buying abilities and data, he might affect occasions around the globe and profit himself. 

Savage wore many hats, together with being a pharaoh, a pirate, and a king. Regardless of the place he hung up his coat, although, he would go away devastation in his wake. 

By the Golden Age, heroes within the DC Universe have been getting clever to Savage’s schemes and challenged him. He battled the Justice Society of America within the Forties and later discovered himself at odds with the Justice League.

Whereas the villain did not possess Superman’s energy or Flash’s velocity, he had centuries of data that gave him an edge. It additionally did not harm that he was proficient in nearly each type of fight. 

That form of villain is precisely what the DCU wants to face out in opposition to its opponents. Gunn can mould Savage into anybody he desires and have him be a part of each main occasion within the franchise earlier than unleashing him totally.

Nonetheless, the factor Savage actually has going for him is that, not like Darkseid and Lex Luthor, there’s nearly no baggage. variety of DC villains have already been completed on the massive display screen, and usually, they didn’t hit the mark. 

Savage, however, solely has one main live-action look beneath his belt. He tormented the heroes of the Arrowverse through the “Heroes Be part of Forces” crossover earlier than making the leap to the primary season of Legends of Tomorrow, however that was practically a decade in the past, and it wasn’t like The CW’s model of the character was something to put in writing dwelling about. 

The villain’s story within the Arrowverse centered on his pursuit of Hawgirl and Hawkman, which began tons of of years previously. There wasn’t far more to it than that, although, which means there are many notable comedian ebook tales to attract inspiration from which have but to be touched in live-action.