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James Gunn's DCU Slate Won't Stop Those Snyderverse Calls - Yet
While James Gunn has laid out bold plans for the future of the DCU, the calls to just revive the dead Snyderverse won’t stop just yet. The DC Extended Universe has now been rebranded simply as the DCU under the new leadership of James Gunn and Peter Safran, who recently revealed the franchise's exciting new slate of projects in development. The DCU has been in shambles for years, and both Gunn and Safran have been blunt about that online and in interviews. One of the most pervasive and toxic problems plaguing the DCU has centered on the Snyderverse, born out of a desire to see Zack Snyder’s vision continue.
The Snyderverse effectively got its one and only hurrah with 2021’s Zack Snyder’s Justice League. The DCU moved on. Even Zack Snyder moved on to his next “Snyderverse” with Rebel Moon, his space opera epic that could be looking at a 2023 debut on Netflix. However, a vocal community in the fanbase still isn’t ready to move on. Nevertheless, while the memory of the Snyderverse will continue to live on, Gunn and Safran show no signs of looking back and are dedicated and eager to forge a bright new future in the DCU.
The DCU Is Still Connected To Snyder's Continuity
Significantly, James Gunn revealed 10 new and exciting projects as part of Chapter 1 of the DCU, including, finally, a Superman movie, a Green Lantern TV show, and even a film for The Authority. Overall, he painted a good picture for the future, showcasing a broad yet cohesive approach focused on establishing strong foundations and featuring unexpected perspectives. He also laid out in some terms what parts of the old DCU will carry on, all thanks to The Flash presumably resetting the franchise. As such, the Snyderverse will continue to live on in a sense following this transition.
This most connects to The Flash and Aquaman 2, both featuring important characters that Zack Snyder first introduced to the DCU in Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice. While Ezra Miller’s fate is still ambiguous - as they can’t really say anything that wouldn’t affect The Flash’s box office - Jason Momoa is staying on as Aquaman. Safran has further stated that they are already planning on completing the Aquaman trilogy with Momoa, so there’ll still be at least one vestige of the Snyderverse. Interestingly, though Shazam! Fury of the Gods precedes The Flash, Gunn has stated that Shazam will stay in the DCU, too, thanks to its insular narrative.
Gunn's DCU Announcement Won't Stop The Snyderverse Demands
Unfortunately, despite the optimistic cohesion Gunn and Safran have relayed thus far and the exciting prospects each project presents, they’ll still be met with relentless demands that the Snyderverse is just brought back. At this point, it's not clear if anything with end demands to restore the Snyderverse. No matter how great it is that a hopeful Superman is coming or the fact that Batman will be with Robin, these projects still aren’t strong enough to banish the haunting specter that is the incomplete previous universe.
These complaints won’t be volleyed solely at Gunn and Safran but at other executives at DC Studios, Warner Brothers-Discovery, and maybe even other companies, too. In fact, some people want Netflix to save the Snyderverse, but that surely can’t happen as it would conflict with Warner Brothers-Discovery’s interests in DC Comic’s characters and their own streaming platform, HBO Max. Perhaps as the various films and tv shows come to fruition and people see the clear path ahead, these demands will dissipate, but only time will tell.
Only Superman: Legacy Can Stop The Snyderverse Calls For Good
Thankfully, the project that can officially hit the final nail in the coffin and silence these calls is among the first in the new DCU’s slate. Superman: Legacy is currently being written by Gunn, and it is already scheduled to release on July 11th, 2025. Drawing from various comics, but especially All-Star Superman by Grant Morrison, Superman: Legacy will feature a new and younger Superman as he juggles his Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing. As such, Henry Cavill is out as Superman. His return was among the truest links to the Snyderverse - so Black Adam exacerbated the problem - but now that he’s officially done, people can move on.
Seeing someone besides Henry Cavill in the legendary red and blue will fully show that the Snyderverse, while still somewhat connected, has no place in the new DCU. They’re going with an entirely new version of the character, and unfortunately, that means Cavill and his Superman just don’t fit anymore. While it might be difficult to say goodbye to Snyder’s creative vision or Cavill as the Man of Steel, it's truly time to put the Snyderverse to rest and let the new DCU shine on its own.
