Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for James Gunn’s Superman
Thanks toSuperman, James Gunn has confirmed that the best hero from one of the DCEU’s biggest flops is confirmed for the newDCU. By 2022, the DCEU was on its last legs despite attempts to revive the franchise withBlack Adam. However, the critically panned movie did give one hero an exciting live-action debut, whom we’ll hopefully see more of now that the DCU has officially begun.
In James Gunn’sSuperman, Lois Lane meets with theJustice Gang inside the Hall of Justice. As they talk, an impressive mural filled with classic DC heroes from across the ages can be seen, and fans have been trying to identify them all since the movie’s release.However, James Gunn recently confirmed on theHappy Sad Confusedpodcast one hero in particular: Doctor Fate.
James Gunn Confirms Doctor Fate Exists In The DCU
Will Pierce Brosnan Still Play Kent Nelson?
Seen on the far right of the mural in James Gunn’sSuperman, it certainly looks as though Kent Nelson’s Doctor Fate is indeed among the various heroes, shown holding his helmet in his arm.
It’s also worth noting that podcasterNeill Vagg revealed onTwitter/Xthat Gunn had teased one of the mural’s characters as being modeled after a famous actor during one of theSupermanpress tour’s UK events. While Gunn neglected to say which hero and actor, the mural’s Doctor Fate does resembleBlack Adam’sdepiction of Kent Nelson, having been played by actor Pierce Brosnan.
Keeping that in mind, it’s certainly possible thatPierce Brosnan’s Doctor Fatecould be a part of this new DCU Universe in the future. Without a doubt, Kent Nelson was one of the best characters inBlack Adam.As a founding member of the JSA, Brosnan was the perfect elder statesman, wielding extraordinary magical powers as an agent of the Lords of Order.
As far as DCU continuity is concerned, James Gunn has made it clear that when a character or past event from the DCEU is referenced by a DCU project,it then becomes DCU canon. As such, the bulk of James Gunn’sTheSuicide SquadandPeacemakerseason 1 are part of the DCU, and most of its characters (with notable exceptions).
While it would be very exciting to see Brosnan’s return as Doctor Fate at some point, it would also be great to see any version of Kent Nelson at some point in the DCU’s future.
Superman
Cast
Superman (2025): Superman follows the dual life of Clark Kent, a journalist in Metropolis, as he endeavors to reconcile his Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing. Set against a backdrop of personal discovery, the film explores his journey of identity as he navigates his existence in a complex world.
Black Adam
Black Adam is a feature film centered around the DC Comics antihero Black Adam, portrayed by Dwayne Johnson. The story follows the titular character as he emerges in the modern world, freed after millennia of imprisonment, to deliver his own form of justice.
