New updates have been shared concerning the DC Universe, and during those reveals, James Gunn spoke about ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool and the DC characters who could fill the same space, opening up a major potential for one figure who’s confirmed to soon appear in the DCU. ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool recently entered the Marvel Cinematic Universe, where the character’s popularity helped make ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool & Wolverine‘s box office a major success. I have no doubt DC hopes to find that same success with some of its characters, and Gunn recently spoke about one who is set to fulfill a similar role within the DC Universe timeline.

Speaking to the press in February 2025, James Gunn provided a range of major DC Universe updates about the franchise. Some projects are further into development than expected, while some others have stalled, but things seem to be going well for the studio. With a picture of what the universe looks like due to the release of Creature Commandos and the production statuses of both Superman and Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, things are beginning to come into focus. Some of DC’s Marvel analogs, too, have been discussed in some detail, raising exciting possibilities for DC’s upcoming releases.

ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool’s Almost $3 Billion Box Office Success Shows The Potential Of DC Taking A Similar Approach

ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool Rose From A Niche Hero To One Of The Most Popular In The World

Adapting Wade Wilson worked out incredibly well for both Fox and Marvel, with the ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool trilogy making way more than they cost. With this in mind, it makes sense that DC would look to make movies based on slightly-less well-known characters in a way that would bring them to the forefront of the cultural consciousness. ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool was not as well-known as other Marvel comic book heroes like Captain America and the Hulk, but the character’s humor and heart translated well on the big-screen, launching his popularity into the stratosphere.

James Gunn has shown an apтιтude in taking other fan-favorite but slightly less well-known characters and turning them into beloved icons. Balancing popular and obscure characters in the DCU seems to be the priority for the franchise, as is exemplified by both Creature Commandos and Superman launching so close together as the DC Universe’s releases. I believe this is the right move, and with the right characters, DC can surely have some characters break through in a similar way to ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool. One character in particular seems perfect to fit this bill.

James Gunn’s 2025 Comments Explain How Lobo Is Like ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool

Gunn Opened Up About Lobo At A Recent Event

Lobo will be entering the DC Universe in Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, with Jason Momoa playing his dream DC role. Based on the source material, and recent comments from James Gunn, it seems that Lobo has the potential to fulfill a similar role to ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool’s in the DC Universe. This is promising, especially as it shows a genuine appreciation for the Lobo character, and expresses big plans to see him in the future. Lobo is brash, comedic, violent, and even scary in ways that could be very refreshing.

When asked if Momoa’s clear pᴀssion for Lobo influenced the powerful DC character’s inclusion in the DCU at the recent February 2025 DC press event, Gunn answered: “No, I always wanted it,” before comparing the character to ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool. He explained that most audiences had no idea who ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool was before his first тιтular film was made, but comic book fans knew how significant he was, and knew what great success the character could have in a movie. Gunn went on about how not just Lobo, but other DC characters could fulfill similar roles in the DCU:

Lobo’s one of those characters. Deathstroke is one of those characters. Those are characters that have a lot of people behind them who love them but aren’t known by the general public in the way Wonder Woman or Superman or Batman is. So, Lobo is always something I wanted to play with in the DCU.

Jason Momoa’s Lobo Has Real Potential To Work As The DCU’s Equivalent Of The MCU’s ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool

Lobo Could Fulfill A Unique Role In The DCU

Bringing in underappreciated characters to the DCU is important both for fans of the comics, and for the longevity of the universe. While audiences still have great affection for heroes like Batman and Superman, it is important that the franchise expand that roster with other notable heroes and villains. Especially with Jason Momoa playing the DC antihero, Lobo has the potential to steal the show in Supergirl: Woman Of Tomorrow, using the actor’s natural charm and charisma combined with the long-running lore of DC Comics.

Lobo, like ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool, satirized ultraviolence in comics. The character was designed to be visually unsettling, and his disposition is ridiculous and outsized, just like ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool. Lobo has the opportunity to crack jokes, all while remaining a distinct and scary threat. As a bounty hunter who also has trouble keeping his mouth shut, there is much of Lobo that seems to resemble ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool in space – a proposition that could be a lot of fun for the future of the DCU.

I’m excited to see the new DCU take on more obscure characters. There are so many figures from the comics that have not been seen as big enough to handle their own tentpole films, but that has slowly changed in recent years. With so much source material to draw from, and so many incredible heroes and villains to populate this new world, I can’t wait to see Lobo in Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow. Alongside characters like Deathstroke and obscure teams like The Authority, Lobo could be a genuine highlight in establishing the new DC Universe.

Upcoming DC Movie Releases

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  Superman

  Release Date

  
  July 11, 2025
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

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  Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow

  Release Date

  
  June 26, 2026
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

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  The Batman Part II

  Release Date

  
  October 1, 2027
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

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