DC’s Justice League Movie May Copy This Iconic Roster

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After the triumphant success of Superman, DC Studios can finally let out a sigh of relief. With James Gunn and Peter Safran now officially at the helm, they can start mapping out future plans. Already, rumors are swirling about the potential acceleration of Wonder Woman and Batman: The Brave and the Bold movie projects. Supergirl has already wrapped up filming, but only once Gunn is pleased with the scripts will things move forward. All these developments are leading towards the grand finale – a Justice League film that brings together the main heroes. This time around, they aim to create a Justice League movie worthy of the name, giving due credit to this legendary team. The secret to achieving this might be hidden in the classic Justice League animated series.

I must admit, despite any criticisms levied towards the Zack Snyder’s Justice League team in the DCEU, they assembled quite an impressive cast. Regrettably, Green Lantern and Martian Manhunter were missing from their ranks, likely due to the 2011 Green Lantern film’s poor performance and a brief cameo of Martian Manhunter in Zack Snyder’s Justice League. Typically, the ideal team lineup is referred to as the “Big 7,” but the DCEU only presented six members at first, which could be seen as a misstep.

James Gunn, known for his love of DC Animated Universe, has expressed this affection publicly. The DC Animated Universe includes Batman: The Animated Series, Superman: The Animated Series, Batman Beyond, and Justice League (later, Justice League Unlimited). Given this affinity, it wouldn’t surprise me if the roster from the animated Justice League made its way onto our big screen.

In essence, who are the probable DCAU (DC Animated Universe) characters leading the new DC Universe’s Justice League? At present, our main hints are the cast of Superman and heroes set to appear in upcoming projects. We can certainly expect Superman in this new universe, while Batman and Wonder Woman will join later. The series Superman introduced Hawkgirl, and the Green Lantern on HBO Max’s Lanterns will feature John Stewart. As for the Martian Manhunter and the Wally West version of the Flash from the animated JLU (Justice League Unlimited), their inclusion could signal that the animated team might soon become our live-action Justice League.

Regardless of multiple Justice League teams in comics spanning over 65 years, it’s often the animated version that is best recognized by the general public. This is because more people tend to watch a TV series or movie compared to reading a comic book. For many, the nostalgia of seeing their cherished superhero lineup, which they grew up watching as children, might be irresistible. The show demonstrated that this particular team dynamic functions effectively.

James Gunn (if he takes on this project) might draw inspiration from the later animated series, “Justice League Unlimited.” This show featured an extensive roster of characters, with the seven original members serving as the main team and key decision-makers. So, we might see characters like Mister Terrific, Guy Gardner, Metamorpho, and Supergirl make appearances, even if they’re not the central figures. Blue Beetle, who seems to be a potential character in the new DCU following DC’s planned retcon, could also potentially be part of it.

It appears that the number of characters might seem excessive, perhaps even overwhelming. However, Gunn demonstrated his ability to manage a substantial ensemble cast with Superman, boasting more than a dozen main roles. This doesn’t necessarily mean that Gunn’s Justice League needs to be as extensive in size. But what Gunn has shown is that he can handle a significant number of actors and ensure most have meaningful roles. Regardless, we are still years away from seeing a Justice League film on the big screen. Unlike the old DCEU, it seems unlikely that Gunn and Peter Safran will rush this project. Instead, they understand that there’s already a successful blueprint for how the League can be portrayed on screen. The challenge now is to adapt this model into live-action effectively.

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2025-07-18 22:03