The DC Universe Has Already Set Up Its Own Version Of The MCU's New Avengers Vs Avengers Conflict According To Explosive DC Theory

Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for Thunderbolts*It feels like a very real possibility that we may soon see a parallel superhero problem in both the MCU and the DCU. Currently playing in theaters, Thunderbolts* has debuted a new team of heroes ahead of the next two Avengers movies, and their name is already creating some in-universe controversy. However, I think something very similar could end up happening in the DCU following the release of James Gunn’s Superman.

It was revealed during the ending of Thunderbolts* that the team publicly becomes the New Avengers (explaining the movie тιтle’s asterisk). Furthermore, it was also confirmed that the team’s “New Avengers” name has created some growing tensions with Captain America and his own team of Avengers. Keeping that in mind, I’m realizing that we could end up seeing a mirrored conflict in the DCU thanks to Superman’s “Justice Gang” and their confirmed future beyond the universe’s first live-action movie.

Maxwell Lord’s Justice Gang Will Continue In The DCU’s Future After Superman

They’re Set To Appear in Peacemaker Season 2

Set to debut in Superman, the first DCU movie will debut the “Justice Gang” alongside David Corenswet’s тιтular Man of Steel. Founded and sponsored by LordTech CEO Maxwell Lord (Sean Gunn), the new superhero team will consist of Guy Gardner’s Green Lantern (Nathan Fillion), Hawkgirl (Isabela Merced), and Mister Terrific (Edi Gathegi). While that trio does seem on the smaller side compared to other live-action superhero teams, it’s already been confirmed that Lord is looking to grow and expand his corporately-backed team of superheroes.

Confirmed to be taking place after the events of Superman, the first trailer for Peacemaker season 2 features Maxwell Lord, Gardner, and Hawkgirl interviewing Christopher Smith aka Peacemaker (John Cena). While they ultimately aren’t interested in adding Chris to their ranks, it is confirmed that they’re actively looking to expand their roster. As such, more names on the team could also lead to a subsequent name change. After all, “Justice Gang” does seem like more of a prototype/placeholder name, especially considering DC Comics’ history.

The Justice Gang Could Become The Justice League International

(But What About The Justice League?)

It’s worth noting that before he became more of an outright villain to Wonder Woman and the Justice League, DC Comics’ Maxwell Lord created the Justice League International, an offshoot of the core Justice League team. Clearly, Lord’s “Justice Gang” in the DCU is inspired by this comics precedent with the JLI, so it wouldn’t be surprising if the team eventually evolves to become a “League” rather than a “Gang” as their numbers grow. However, one has to wonder if they’d instead become the Justice League outright, seeing how DC’s premier team of heroes doesn’t seem to have yet come together.

Conversely, it’s just as possible the Justice League could end up emerging alongside the Justice Gang, featuring all the expected and top-tier names like Superman, Wonder Woman, Batman, Flash, and more. If so, one can imagine that a business person like Maxwell Lord might be somewhat litigious when and if a new team of heroes suddenly emerges with “Justice” in their name. This would especially be true and even more likely if his superhero team was indeed created first in this new DCU timeline.

Theory: The DCU Will Likely Have Rival “Justice” Teams, Just Like The MCU’s Avengers & New Avengers

The Debut of the DCU’s Justice League May Create Some Conflict

Rival “Justice” teams do feel like a very real possibility in the new DCU, an idea that’s pretty funny considering Thunderbolts’ post-credits scene. In the final post-credits scene set 14 months after the events of the movie, the former Thunderbolts are operating out of the Watchtower/Avengers Tower as the New Avengers. It’s here that Yelena and Bucky reveal that Sam Wilson’s Captain America isn’t very happy with their “New Avengers” name.

Because Sam Wilson has brought together his own team of Avengers in the MCU, Bucky reveals that Captain America even had the “Avengers” name copyrighted. As such, this promises some humorous tension between the two Avengers teams in the next two Avengers movies. Naturally, that would certainly become even funnier if a similar conflict ends up emerging when and if opposing “Justice” teams are created in the DCU. That said, we’ll just have to see what the “Justice Gang” ultimately becomes following Superman and Peacemaker season 2.

Superman is set to release in theaters on July 11th. Thunderbolts*/The New Avengers is now playing.