3 DC Heroes the DCU Has Already Wiped Out of Canon (& When They Might Return)

The DC Universe isn’t all that focused on superheroes at the moment. Creature Commandos is technically the first project in the franchise, and it focuses on a group of characters who prefer killing people over saving the innocent. Even Superman, a movie that introduces arguably DC’s most iconic character, doesn’t care much about making its heroes likable. The members of the Justice Gang are only out for themselves, with it taking moving heaven and earth to get them to help out. What’s funny is that it’s not all that surprising that James Gunn is taking this direction. After all, his previous comic book projects are full of complicated characters looking to find themselves, which takes time.

While Gunn may not be interested in introducing too many goody two-shoes, he can’t ignore them forever, even if he goes out of his way to make sure they don’t have a place in his franchise. Here are three DC heroes that the DCU wiped out from canon, and when they might return.

3) Aquaman

Prior to taking over DC Studios, Gunn cut his teeth with the company by working on The Suicide Squad and Peacemaker. While the former features a few connections to the larger DC Extended Universe, the latter drops a bombshell by having the Justice League show up in the aftermath of the Butterfly invasion.

Aquaman is one of the heroes who comes to Peacemaker’s aid, despite the anti-hero spreading nasty lies about him. Unfortunately, that version of Arthur Curry won’t share the screen with Peacemaker again, as Peacemaker Season 2 retcons the interaction. Jason Momoa is also playing Lobo in the DCU, pouring even more water on the Aquaman fire. But Gunn and Co. are probably waiting for Momoa to ride his space bike a few times before giving his previous role a new face.

2) The Flash

Gunn sang The Flash‘s praises before the movie hit theaters in 2023. Unfortunately, it didn’t do well enough at the box office for the powers that be at DC Studios to consider bringing it into the fold. Like Aquaman, The Flash appears in Peacemaker, but that scene is no longer canon, leaving the Scarlet Speedster’s status up in the air.

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With a movie and a nine-season TV show in his back pocket, there isn’t any rush to get Barry Allen back to the big screen. Barry might not even be the version of the hero that Gunn has his eye on, as the filmmaker has been pretty tight-lipped about his plans. Speedsters already exist in the DCU, though, so it’s only a matter of time before the sound barrier gets broken.

1) Wonder Woman

There was a time when it seemed like Gal Gadot was going to be the only major DCEU actor to make the leap to the DCU. However, that didn’t come to pass, and a number of performers have thrown their lassos into the ring. Gunn has responded to some of the fan casts, but he isn’t ready to announce the new Wonder Woman, mostly because the script for her movie isn’t ready.

Wonder Woman is a priority at the DCU, with Supergirl writer Ana Nogueira working on a solo movie for the heroine. There’s also a show centered around Themyscira, Paradise Lost, chugging along at DC Studios. It may be a few years before the Amazons appear on screen, but they’re sure to help shape the DCU’s future.

Which of these heroes would you like to see first in the DCU? Are there any other DC characters that you hope get to skip the line in James Gunn’s franchise? Let us know in the comments below!