James Gunn is Rewatching THE SUICIDE SQUAD and BLUE BEETLE to Decide What Is DCU Canon
As the DC Universe is still in the early phase of being built, James Gunn is sorting out exactly how some of the old pieces from the DCEU fit into the bigger picture.
As the co-CEO of DC Studios continues shaping the evolving DCU, he’s circling back to two familiar titles, The Suicide Squad and Blue Beetle, to figure out what truly counts moving forward.
The DCU technically kicked off with Creature Commandos in late 2024, setting the tone for this rebooted universe. Still, Gunn has been clear that elements from The Suicide Squad and Blue Beetle haven’t been completely tossed aside. Instead, they exist in a bit of a gray area.
He’s previously described The Suicide Squad as an “imperfect memory,” while calling Blue Beetle the first official DCU character to carry forward.
Now, Gunn is looking to revisit both films with fresh perspective. He shared on Threads:
"I've been thinking about this a lot in regards to The Suicide Squad & Blue Beetle and I've been meaning to rewatch both with an eye towards that knowing what I know now almost three years into the DCU (with a couple more years of scripts being actively filmed or created).
“Maybe after MoT Jenn [Jennifer Holland] & Steve [Agee] & I can get together for a special couple podcasts to discuss. What do you guys think is potentially or definitely NOT canon from TSS & BB?"
Gunn revisiting his own work and openly questioning what sticks and what doesn’t adds a layer of unpredictability to the DCU.
One thing Gunn has already locked in, though, is Peacemaker. The character and series remain part of the DCU, and that decision came down to both logistics and genuine enthusiasm. Gunn explained:
"Peacemaker Season 2's deals were all in place when I became head of DC. It was either break everyone's contracts and pay out all that money and take away HBO Max's biggest show at the time or find a way to make it work. I chose the latter.
“Mostly tho because I love the character and the show and thought he/they could be an important part of the DCU."
So, while some corners of the old DCEU are still being sorted out, others have already found a solid footing in the new continuity.
Looking ahead, the next big chapter for DC arrives with Supergirl, hitting theaters June 26. According to Peter Safran, the goal isn’t just to keep making superhero movies, it’s to make them feel worth watching again. He said:
"I never felt that there was superhero fatigue. I felt it was mediocre movie fatigue. You gotta try something new. You have to change the game a little bit. The essential story on which Supergirl is based is something cool and original and we haven't seen before."
Between Gunn re-evaluating past films and Safran pushing for fresh storytelling, the DCU is still very much in flux. Nothing feels completely locked, which means anything could shift as this universe continues to take shape.