An upcoming DC Studios show has subtly laid the groundwork for James Gunn’s DCU to introduce both The Flash and Darkseid in the near future. James Gunn’s DCU is still very early on in its run. There have only been two movies so far, Superman and Supergirl, and only two shows, Peacemaker season 2 and Creature Commandos. While there are several upcoming DCU projects, like Lanterns and Clayface, that are only a matter of months away, the franchise is still finding its footing.
Since it’s so early on in its tenure, the DCU hasn’t had a chance to introduce many of its most important characters yet. On the hero side, only Superman, Supergirl, Guy Gardner, Mister Terrific, and Hawkgirl have been properly introduced, while the only overarching villain thus far is Lex Luthor. More heroes and villains are sure to follow, and fans are eagerly awaiting news of when the DCU may introduce those classic characters.
Now, one confirmed DCU show is laying the groundwork for two of the franchise’s most important characters to enter live-action: The Flash and Darkseid. As a prominent member of the Justice League and the team’s most deadly villain, The Flash and Darkseid are wildly important. That’s why it’s all the more surprising that the first inklings of their existence in the DCU seem to be coming from a Superman spinoff focusing on Jimmy Olsen (Skyler Gisondo).
Gorilla Grodd Is Confirmed For The Jimmy Olsen Series
A Superman spinoff show focusing on Jimmy Olsen is currently in development by DC Studios, and the show has already cast a very important role: Gorilla Grodd. Described as a “fictional true-crime show,” the Jimmy Olsen show will reportedly follow a documentary format as reporter Jimmy Olsen presumably investigates Grodd’s origins and crimes for an in-universe journalistic show. Jimmy Tatro is reportedly set to portray Grodd while Gisondo is reprising the role of Jimmy.
The mere fact that the Jimmy Olsen show is going to focus on Gorilla Grodd is, in itself, a clue that the DCU is getting ready to introduce The Flash. Grodd is one of The Flash’s more prominent recurring villains, and he almost always battles him instead of Superman. Introducing Grodd without The Flash would be like introducing The Joker without Batman: if one exists, the other one is going to follow.
Grodd’s involvement in the Jimmy Olsen show is a major sign that The Flash is about to join the DCU. The Jimmy Olsen show itself could actually include The Flash, as Jimmy’s reporting may reveal that The Flash foiled one of Grodd’s evil plots and put him in prison. Even if it doesn’t, however, this is a sign that The Flash may show up in the DCU earlier than expected, especially as none of Batman or Wonder Woman’s villains have been introduced yet.
The Jimmy Olsen Show Could Also Introduce Darkseid, Just Like His Comic Did In 1970
Another, albeit far less official, feature of the Jimmy Olsen show has also teased the impending arrival of Darkseid. Though he’s typically thought of as a villain for Superman, the Justice League, and the New Gods, Darkseid’s first appearance was actually in the comic Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen #134 in 1970. He only made a brief, one-panel cameo in the comic to tease future appearances, but the fact remains that Darkseid is intrinsically linked to Jimmy Olsen.
While Darkseid’s first comic appearance certainly isn’t an official confirmation that he’ll be appearing in the Jimmy Olsen show, there may be more weight to it than there seems. James Gunn famously adores the Silver and Bronze Ages of DC Comics, and teasing Darkseid’s arrival in the Jimmy Olsen show would be a perfect way to pay tribute to comic history. It’s exactly the kind of nerdy reference Gunn loves, which makes it at least a distant possibility. The show could even follow in the comic’s footsteps and feature Darkseid for just a moment, potentially in a post-credit scene.
Darkseid popping up in the Jimmy Olsen show is admittedly a long shot, but there’s still evidence that the DCU is getting ready to introduce him. The Mister Miracle animated series has all but confirmed Darkseid’s involvement. The logline for that show explicitly mentions Darkseid, his role as Scott Free’s adoptive father, and the Anti-Life Equation. If the Jimmy Olsen show doesn’t get to him first, then Mister Miracle will almost surely bring Darkseid into the DCU.
- Cast
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Henry Cavill, Ben Affleck, Gal Gadot, Ezra Miller, Ray Fisher, Jason Momoa, Amy Adams, Jesse Eisenberg, Laurence Fishburne, Jeremy Irons, Will Smith, Jared Leto, Margot Robbie, Joel Kinnaman, Viola Davis, Jai Courtney, Jay Hernandez, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Cara Delevingne, Chris Pine, Robin Wright, Zachary Levi, Dwayne Johnson, Amber Heard, Patrick Wilson, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Mark Strong, Asher Angel, Jack Dylan Grazer, Djimon Hounsou, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Jurnee Smollett, Rosie Perez, Ella Jay Basco, Ali Wong, Ewan McGregor, Idris Elba, John Cena, Michael Keaton, George Clooney, Xolo Mariduena
- Created by
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Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson
- Character(s)
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Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, The Flash, Cyborg, Harley Quinn, The Joker, Shazam, Darkseid, Amanda Waller, Lex Luthor, Doomsday, Deadshot, Deathstroke, Black Canary, Black Adam
- Movie(s)
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Man of Steel, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Suicide Squad, Wonder Woman, Justice League, Aquaman, Shazam!, Birds of Prey, Wonder Woman 1984, Zack Snyder’s Justice League, The Suicide Squad, Black Adam, Shazam! The Fury of the Gods, The Flash, Blue Beetle, Superman, The Brave and the Bold