In July, when Superman graces the big screen, it marks the genuine start of the cinematic DC Universe. What makes the DCU unique compared to the MCU is that ordinary people have been aware of super-powered beings for a significant amount of time. Unlike in the MCU where Captain America was the first publicly acknowledged “enhanced” individual and the Eternals lived in secrecy, or in the X-Men timeline where mutants remained hidden until mid-20th century, the DC Universe, as per Gunn, has had super beings known to common folk for 300 years! According to Gunn’s interview with Entertainment Weekly, this is how it unfolds.
If you encountered a shark-man walking down the street, you’d likely feel so surprised and scared that you might become ill or extremely frightened to the point of shock. However, for an average citizen of the DCU, seeing one would be similar to spotting Paul McCartney strolling on the sidewalk in New York City – a fascinating and exhilarating experience rather than a terrifying one.
In this fictional universe I’m captivated by, humans have been aware of the presence of extraordinary beings with superhuman abilities, or metahumans, for a staggering 300 years under the leadership of DCU.
In James Gunn’s DC Universe, superheroes or metahumans have been a part of society for such an extended period that their existence is no longer surprising, even though they are relatively scarce. This situation could be likened to how ordinary citizens in the Star Wars galaxy perceive Jedi during the prequel era – a rarity, but universally acknowledged.
The notion that superheroes have been around for so long opens up possibilities for DCU films and series set across various periods. For instance, we might see stories about the Justice Society during World War II, or tales of the demon Etrgian in the 19th century. This diversity allows for compelling narratives to unfold, including speculation on whether the presence of metahumans influenced history significantly, as depicted in DC Comics’ Watchmen.
On another discussion in Threads, Gunn further explained that the term “metahuman” in DC comics is used for any character with powers, essentially referring to both heroes and villains. Unlike Marvel where there are distinct categories such as ancient Eternals, artificial beings like Vision, and divine aliens like Thor, along with mutants (X-Men) and enhanced humans (Fantastic Four), DC’s “metahuman” concept is more universal and encompassing. This is how Gunn sees metahumans in his DC Universe.
In the world of DC Comics, a metahuman refers to a being that resembles a human and possesses extraordinary, sometimes supernatural abilities. These powers can stem from various origins such as scientific experiments, magical influences, extraterrestrial origins, genetic mutations, divine interventions, skill development, or advanced technology. Consequently, while Superman’s robot (4) might not be considered a metahuman, characters like Terrific could potentially fit the description. As for Krypto, since he might read this, let’s just say he’s meta without labeling him as non-human.
If James Gunn’s interpretation of Superman proves to be a hit, it could pave the way for a DC Universe that surpasses any other superhero film series in terms of wildness and unpredictability. We’re excited to embark on this fresh, more eccentric comic book journey, as Superman is set to premiere in cinemas nationwide on July 11.
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2025-06-11 17:04