While the DC Universe has mostly served as a reboot, James Gunn’s new franchise also carries over various elements from the DCEU. Throughout the DCU’s Chapter 1: “Gods and Monsters” slate, heroes and villains have been reimagined by DC Studios, even with actors from the previous era returning.

When speaking with ScreenRant for Cross season 2 at New York Comic-Con 2025, Aldis Hodge, who plays Hawkman in 2022’s Black Adam, spoke about the possibility of reprising the role in Gunn’s DCU. “That’s above my pay grade. You gonna have to talk to them,” the Prime Video star stressed.

“Obviously, if that was something that came back around, yeah,” Hodge added. The actor also explained that “for Hawkman, [they] definitely actually had plans for that, but plans changed, but it depends if the story is right, the timing right,” while also sharing his own pᴀssion for the genre:

Personally, I grew up a huge fan of graphic novel, superheroes, all that kind of stuff. 9B Collective, yes, we design superhero. So if it was something that came around that felt right, absolutely, but I’m also happy kicking it out here, being a fan. We stopped on the wrong floor, I saw a whole bunch of anime, and I was about to go, because we stopped on the wrong floor. I blame Samantha, because she was like, “Mmm, popcorn,” and we stopped on the floor to get popcorn. I saw the floor, I was like, “Oh, but do we have to work? Because I gotta go.”

Hodge, whose character is part of the Justice Society of America in Dwayne Johnson’s superhero entry, stated: “So I’m a fan, man, but yeah, if something came around that was right, sure, because it is fun.“ The context would be important, as he commented that “when you do it just right, and the fans hit you with that love that’s a different kind of relationship, that’s a different kind of experience, and it’s amazing.”

However, as of right now, there are no plans, with Hodge explaining: “But like I said, it ain’t up to me. You want to talk to a couple guys.” At this point, Hawkman hasn’t been mentioned in the DCU timeline.

So far, a handful of actors from the DCEU movie timeline have appeared Gunn’s comic book reboot in new roles. Nathan Fillion, who played T.D.K. in 2021’s The Suicide Squad, joined the franchise this summer as Guy Gardner, a.k.a. one of the Green Lanterns, in the Superman movie.

Sean Gunn not only reprised Weasel in DC Studios’ new continuity, but was also cast as G.I. Robot for Creature Commandos, and Maxwell Lord. Meanwhile, Jason Momoa, who previously played Aquaman in the DCEU, will make his DCU debut in 2026 as Lobo in the Supergirl movie.

Even though Carter Hall has yet to appear, 2025’s Superman introduces Hawkgirl, played by Isabela Merced, with the two characters having ties to one another in the comics. The film never specifies if she has any history with Hawkman in this setting.

As the franchise is still in its early days, Hodge could potentially be brought back as Hawkman or be cast in a new role altogether. Following the conclusion of Peacemaker season 2, the next entry in the DC Universe will be HBO’s Lanterns and the Supergirl film next year.