The cinematic universe of DC Films, colloquially known as the DCEU, continues to grow. As more of their films, off an originally announced slate of more than ten, get into active development, pre-production, and even release, we’re starting to see more about who will be making the jump from page to screen and how they’ll be interacting.
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DC is doing things differently from Marvel, of course. After introducing Superman, they went straight to the trinity, and next to the full Justice League. Then they’ll be rolling back to do some solo movies before going back to more teams. It’s not exactly the model that was laid out before them, but doing something new and different in the superhero movie franchise shouldn’t be scoffed at, either.
Here’s all the characters we know are appearing in DC Films so far, and we’ll be updating this post regularly as more are revealed!
The Trinity
The “big three” of the DC Universe are known to fans as the Trinity (there’s even been several, including a current one, comic books by that title). That, of course, is Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman. Superman’s film Man of Steel was the start of this new DCEU, while Batman and Wonder Woman were added in during Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.
That marks the latest in a long line of Superman and Batman big screen appearances, but shockingly, the first for Wonder Woman. Superman is played by Henry Cavill, Wonder Woman by Gal Gadot, and Batman by Ben Affleck.
The Rest of the Justice League
As teased in Batman v Superman via some electronic dossiers, three more characters join the fold in Justice League in November 2017. The Flash (Ezra Miller), Cyborg (Ray Fisher), and Aquaman (Jason Momoa) are all confirmed to be joining the team in the movie, recruited by Batman and Wonder Woman as they look to fill the hole left by Superman’s death. He’ll be back eventually (in the Justice League movie, no less), as well. No official word on whether a Green Lantern will appear in the film, though.
Hal Jordan and John Stewart, the Green Lanterns
While we don’t know for sure if any Green Lanterns will be in Justice League, we do know they’ll be in Green Lantern Corps in 2020. Thanks to some newly-released information, we know what two Earth-based lanterns that film will center on: Hal Jordan and John Stewart. Jordan is the most popular overall, and appeared in the last attempt at a GL movie (played by Ryan Reynolds), while John Stewart is the GL a generation knows thanks to his inclusion in the Justice League cartoons. No casting announced yet.
Superman’s Support
Lois Lane – Superman’s paramour, an ace investigative journalist who figures out his identity, and is more than willing to put herself in harm’s way for a story thanks to her fearlessness and tenacity. Amy Adams plays her, and will be in Justice League.
Perry White – Clark Kent’s editor at the Daily Planet. He’s appeared in two films so far but it’s unclear whether he’ll be back for more in the near future.
Jonathan and Martha Kent – Clark’s adoptive parents on Earth. He watched his father die at Jonathan’s urging, and kept his powers hidden for years largely at his dad’s behest. Martha, plyaed by Diane Lane, appears next in Justice League
Jor-El – Clark’s birth father, who guided him through understanding his powers thanks to a virtual representation of him.
Batman’s Support
Alfred Pennyworth – Bruce Wayne’s faithful butler, Alfred is one of the few who will stand up to Bruce and tell him when he’s doing something the wrong way. Jeremy Irons is the cinematic Alfred. He’ll be back in Justice League, and again in The Batman.
Commissioner Gordon – Debuting in Justice League, this is Batman’s partner in fighting crime in Gotham City. J.K. Simmons is in the role.
Robin (deceased) – At least one Robin has worked for/with Batman, but he was killed by the Joker.
Wonder Woman’s Support
Steve Trevor – a WWI-era American pilot, Rogers crash lands on Themiscyra, the mysterious hidden world of the Amazons, and goes on an adventure (and possible relationship) with Diana, their princess. Chris Pine debuts in the role in Wonder Woman.
Etta Candy – Trevor’s secretary, she becomes a window into man’s world and best friend to Diana. Lucy Davis will play Etta in WW.
The Amazons – Diana’s people, a race of warrior women who have been hidden away on Themiscyra, aka Paradise Island, presumably for millenia. That includes Connie Nielsen as Queen Hippolyta, Diana’s mother, Robin Wright as General Antiope, her aunt and trainer, and Lisa Loven Kongsli as Menalippe, another warrior.
Mera
Mera is Aquaman’s love interest, but also so much more. Amber Heard will play the role in Justice League, then in Aquaman. Mera can also survive under water and on the surface world, swim at high speeds, and oh yeah, she can also telekinetically control water!
Vulko is the only other confirmed Aquaman supporting cast member, played by Willem Dafoe.
Iris West
Kiersey Clemons will appear in The Flash as Iris West, whenver that movie actually gets back on track. Currently, they’re searching for the third signed and fifth looked-for director. It was scheduled loosely for early 2018, but at this point that’s extremely unlikely to happen.
Amanda Waller
The head of the government’s Task Force X program, Amanda Waller is a force to be reckoned with, and a danger all her own, despite working with the most dangerous criminals alive. She has a firm distrust for superhumans. Viola Davis played the role in Suicide Squad.
The Suicide Squad
A gathering of villains formed to take on dangerous missions they may not come back from, the Suicide Squad are the “worst heroes ever.”
- Deadshot – Will Smith, rumored to have a spin-off in the works
- Harley Quinn – Margot Robbie, spinning-off into Gotham City Sirens
- Rick Flag – Joel Kinnaman
- Killer Croc – Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje
- Captain Boomerang – Jai Courtney
- El Diablo – Jay Hernandez, apparently died in the first film.
- Katana – Karen Fukuhara
- Enchantress – Cara Delevingne, who turned out to be the villain of the movie, not really a member of the team.
- Slipknot – he died so fast he might as well have been wearing a red shirt.
The Joker
The Clown Prince of Crime, played by Jared Leto, debuted in Suicide Squad. He’s presumed to be back for a possible in-development sequel, and could/should also show up in Gotham City Sirens and The Batman. While only a minor role in Squad, his introduction and characterization was one of the most-debated/talked about aspects of the movie.
General Zod, Faora, Doomsday
General Zod, Faora, and the rest of the Kryptonian criminals came and went in Man of Steel, with quite the bang. Zod certainly won’t be back, since his corpse was used to create/unleash Doomsday, the massive villain/Kryptonian superweapon. Doomsday was killed by a Kryptonite spear, but it’s comics, so hey, he could be back.
Lex Luthor
Superman’s greatest foe used his introduction in Batman v Superman to… make them fight each other for a little bit. By the end of the film, he sure looked like he was done playing around and ready to really get going in his plan to remove Superman and all other heroes from the board permanently. He’ll be back in Justice League to get his chance.
Steppenwolf
The confirmed villain of Justice League, Steppenwolf is one of the villainous variety of New Gods, an alien race (ostensibly) of beings with godlike power. Steppenwolf is a lieutenant of, and usually harbinger to, Darkseid, so don’t expect the worshipper of anti-life to be far behind. He technically debuted in the DCEU in a deleted scene from BvS, which tied his arrival to Lex Luthor.
Ares
The God of War, it makes sense that Ares will be involved in Wonder Woman‘s battle, where she heads out into the world of man during World War I. To what extent is yet to be revealed, but it certainly helps open things up to more Greek gods appearing in future films.
Ocean Master
Confirmed as at least one of the antagonists for the Aquaman movie, Ocean Master is Aquaman’s half-brother Orm. Patrick Wilson, a veteran of DC Comics-based movies as he was in Watchmen, will play the villain.
Deathstroke
Deathstroke, the deadly assassin, will be a villain in The Batman, played by Joe Mangeniello. His reveal came from a screen test of the costume during the filming of Justice League, but it’s unclear if he’ll make his debut there before The Batman.
Black Adam (and Shazam)
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson will play not the title roll of Shazam in the 2019 movie, but instead of the antagonist Black Adam, who is more of an anti-hero than a straight-up villain. No casting for the hero himself has been announced yet, though. It’s also slightly unclear how deeply entangled this movie is intended to be in the DCEU, as it’s being produced by WB’s sub-brand New Line Cinema. A recent meeting at DC by the Rock suggested it will be fully integrated, though.
The Unconfirmed but Rumored
Black Manta – Long-rumored as another/main villain of Aquaman, the only official word is that Michael K. Williams is not playing the character
Darkseid – The leader of the evil portion of New Gods, Darkseid rules Apokolips. he’s heavily rumored for an appearance in Justice League, but might be saved for the second chapter.
Poison Ivy and Catwoman – The most likely supporting cast for Gotham City Sirens, a spin-off of Suicide Squad starring and produced by Margot Robbie, who returns as Harley Quinn. These were the other two characters alongside Harley in the comics.
Assorted – A handful of other characters have been rumored here and there, but nothing substantial enough to write about – yet!
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Images courtesy of Marvel Studios and DC Studios
