Credit: Marvel StudiosEven with the recent success of the Marvel universe’s Deadpool & Wolverine, is this the beginning of a new superhero era?
Related: DCU’s New Batman: Star Teases Taking Iconic Role
Following the Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) merger, the studio underwent significant restructuring, leading to the departure of Walter Hamada, the former head of WB’s DC film division.
James Gunn, acclaimed for directing the Guardians of the Galaxy series in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) for The Walt Disney Company and The Suicide Squad (2021) (different from the 2016 film Suicide Squad with Jared Leto as the Joker), has succeeded Hamada in this role, alongside co-CEO Peter Safran.
In the newest phase of the DC Universe (DCU), called “Chapter One – Gods and Monsters,” James Gunn and his newly formed DC Studios are set to revitalize the former DC Extended Universe (DCEU) for a fresh start.
The centerpiece of this reboot is the upcoming film Superman (formerly Superman: Legacy), featuring David Corenswet as Clark Kent/Superman, replacing Henry Cavill. This film, inspired by the DC Comics series of the same name, is designed to reset the continuity of Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel and Justice League, collectively known as the “Snyderverse.”
Related: Everything We Know About DCU’s New ‘Batman’ Reboot, ‘The Brave and the Bold’
The prior iteration of the DC Film Universe was the DC Extended Universe (DCEU), which prominently featured Zack Snyder’s Justice League. This version introduced audiences to Henry Cavill as Superman/Clark Kent, Ben Affleck as Bruce Wayne/Batman, Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman/Diana Prince, Ezra Miller as The Flash/Barry Allen, Jason Momoa as Aquaman/Arthur Curry, and Ray Fisher as Cyborg/Victor Stone.
Marvel Loses Another Star to DC
In a GalaxyCon roundup from Cosmic Circus, reporter Drew Reed met the actor for the former DCEU’s Blue Beetle/Jaime Reyes, Xolo Maridueña, who is also a member of the Cobra Kai television series, a spinoff of The Karate Kid (1984).
Maridueña has confirmed that the MCU’s Eternals star Kumail Nanjiani has been cast as a new DC Universe hero, Booster Gold. The star also hinted that his Blue Beetle hero might be teaming up with Nanjiani’s Booster Gold too, in the DCU near future.
This news is further corroborated by Nexus Point News’ report on comedian and Marvel star Nanjiani taking on the Booster Gold role.
Even with Deadpool & Wolverine’s success and the chatter surrounding San Diego Comic Con (SDCC) announcement bringing Robert Downey Jr. back into the MCU fold as Doctor Doom/Victor von Doom ahead of Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars, it might not be enough for some stars.
Perhaps due to the fact that Marvel President Kevin Feige himself has outrightly stated that the Eternals franchise has been more or less scrapped for the MCU’s near future, Najiani is likely more keen to jump ship to DC if Gunn can promise a bigger, more fulfilling role for the actor.
Seeing as the potential for the DCU to take the world by storm is rather high with the promising Superman reboot, combined with Gunn’s good reputation for taking obscure comic book heroes and turning them into household names, jumping over to DC could very well prove a smart move on Nanjiani’s part.
Dan Jurgens created Booster Gold/Michael Carter for DC Comics, debuting in 1986. A former football star from the 25th century, Booster Gold uses advanced technology and a time-traveling device to become a hero in the 20th century.
Known for his flashy personality and desire for fame, Booster Gold proves to be a genuine hero over time and is often accompanied by his robot sidekick, Skeets.
Do you think Kumail Nanjiani would make a good Booster Gold? Is moving from the MCU to the DCU the better idea? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!
More on Eternals
Directed by Chloé Zhao, the Eternals movie inspired by Marvel Comics delves into the epic journey of the Eternals, a group of godlike extraterrestrials created by the Celestials. Their mission is to guide planets toward evolution and development, while also (spoiler alert) leading to the birth of new Celestials through the demise of their host worlds.
The film boasts a stellar cast, featuring Gemma Chan as Sersi, Richard Madden as Ikaris, Angelina Jolie as Thena, Kumail Nanjiani as Kingo, Lia McHugh as Sprite, Brian Tyree Henry as Phastos, Lauren Ridloff as Makkari, Barry Keoghan as Druig, Don Lee as Gilgamesh, Salma Hayek as Ajak, and Kit Harington as Dane Whitman, who is set to become the Black Knight wielding the Ebony Blade.
Harry Styles also makes an appearance as Eros, another Eternal, alongside Patton Oswalt’s Pip the Troll in a post-credit scene, hinting at a potential storyline for a future sequel.