James Gunn's DCU has officially launched, but it hasn’t exactly captured the kind of excitement Warner Bros. and fans had hoped for.
The New DCU's Challenges
Superman (2025), the first major release under Gunn and Peter Safran’s new DC Universe, received a mixed reaction — grossing $618.7 million worldwide against a $225 million budget, but leaving audiences divided on overall tone and execution.
Supergirl (2026), the DCU's next theatrical release, has so far generated surprisingly little buzz following its official trailer, while the continuity decisions in Gunn’s DCU — retaining characters like John Cena’s Peacemaker, Viola Davis’ Amanda Waller, and Xolo Maridueña’s Blue Beetle — have left fans expecting a clean slate frustrated and confused.
Then came the trailer for HBO’s Lanterns (2026), which sparked backlash for its muted costumes and TV detective-show aesthetic, further fueling the perception that the new DCU may be struggling to connect with audiences.
The Snyderverse Might Return
Amid these frustrations, Zack Snyder has quietly reignited fan interest in the Snyderverse (Man of Steel, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, and 2021's Justice League )
Last year, Snyder shared an image of Henry Cavill as Superman to his then-newly launched Instagram, with the caption, “Henry Cavill is Superman.” The post quickly reignited speculation about the beloved actor's potential return to the Snyderverse.
While nothing came to pass, now, ahead of the upcoming five-year anniversary of Justice League (2021), which was released on March 18 in 2021, the director has been posting more seemingly cryptic images on Instagram of his iconic DC characters.
In one post, a collage of the Justice League members shows them “facing the burden of responsibility with honor—captured in the 1.43:1, they stand like figures in a myth—looking toward what comes next.” But what is meant by that last line is unclear. Still, it hasn't stopped the hashtag #RestoretheSnyderVerse from gaining traction as a result.
Related: James Gunn’s DCU Shake-Up Leaves Big Question Mark Over ‘The Batman' : Disney Fanatic
Restore the Snyderverse
Following the original Justice League (2017) changed directorial hands following the tragic death of Snyder’s daughter Autumn, fans launched the massive online campaign known as #RestoreTheSnyderCut, culminating in Zack Snyder’s Justice League (2021), a four-hour reimagined cut that premiered on HBO Max to critical and fan acclaim.
While there are no official plans for the Snyderverse to continue, the director recently told the Happy Sad Confused podcast, “I would never say that there's no way”.
He added that fans “literally saved human lives” through campaigns supporting suicide prevention and continued to leave open the possibility of future projects, whether as comics, animation, or live-action.
Do you think Snyder’s Justice League saga could coexist with James Gunn’s DCU? Would it work in film, comics, or animation? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!
