James Gunn Confirms the Status of ‘Black Adam’ and ‘Shazam’ in the DCU

James Gunn is no stranger to fielding questions about the DC Universe. Since taking the helm at DC Studios, he has frequently engaged with fans on Threads, clarifying the continuity of the DCU. His latest round of answers offers some of the most definitive insights yet.

The landscape for DC Studios is quite busy. The DCU kicked off in December 2024 with the animated series ‘Creature Commandos,’ while ‘Clayface’ is set to hit theaters on October 23, and ‘Man of Tomorrow’ is slated for next summer. With numerous projects spanning both film and television, inquiries about what is considered canon are bound to arise.

In a recent interaction, a user posed several questions, to which Gunn humorously noted that it was five questions instead of three before addressing them. He confirmed that Batman’s suit has yet to be designed, clarifying whether it would share a texture with Superman’s suit. When asked about Wally West’s status in the DCU, he simply replied, ‘who knows?’, and stated he would not be writing or directing a ‘Teen Titans’ movie.

The most definitive response came when Gunn was asked if ‘Black Adam,’ the Justice Society, and the ‘Shazam!’ films are part of the DCU canon. His answer was a clear no. While this isn’t the first time he has made this point, it serves as a strong confirmation that these stories exist outside the DCU.

This stance aligns with Gunn’s previous statements. He had earlier told Den of Geek that neither ‘Black Adam’ nor ‘Shazam! Fury of the Gods’ are considered canon, despite both films featuring characters from his ‘Peacemaker’ series. He later clarified on Threads that his comment was not a critique of the films but rather a statement on continuity.

Both films are part of the earlier DC Extended Universe, which began with ‘Man of Steel’ in 2013 and concluded with ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’ in 2023. Gunn has stated that nothing is considered canon until his own slate begins, meaning the events of the DCEU do not carry over.

The post-credits scene of ‘Shazam! Fury of the Gods’ complicates matters. In that scene, characters from ‘Peacemaker,’ Emilia Harcourt (Jennifer Holland) and John Economos (Steve Agee), attempt to recruit Shazam into the Justice Society, a group introduced in ‘Black Adam.’ This crossover adds to the confusion, which is why Gunn consistently distinguishes between the two continuities.

There is also a financial aspect to consider. The sequel to ‘Black Adam,’ along with ‘Wonder Woman 3’ and a second Henry Cavill ‘Man of Steel’ film, was shelved when Gunn and Safran took over, and both ‘Black Adam’ and ‘Shazam! Fury of the Gods’ underperformed at the box office. Dwayne Johnson previously stated that his character would not be part of the first chapter of the new DCU.

Gunn did make a distinction regarding ‘Blue Beetle.’ He confirmed that while the character is canon, the movie itself has not been designated as part of the DCU. This aligns with earlier reports suggesting that Xolo Maridueña will reprise his role as Jaime Reyes in the new universe, including a rumored appearance in ‘Man of Tomorrow.’

This leaves an important detail open. The mid-credits scene of the 2023 film revealed that Ted Kord, a previous Blue Beetle, is still alive. However, if the movie isn’t canon, any prior friendship between Ted and the original hero remains undefined for the DCU.

Gunn’s comments about Batman are particularly intriguing. The DCU’s version of the Dark Knight is set to debut in ‘The Brave and the Bold,’ a story focusing on Batman and his son, Damian Wayne, with Andy Muschietti directing and Christina Hodson writing the screenplay. Gunn has confirmed that this project is not on hold, although reports suggest it may not hit theaters until 2029.

No actor has been officially cast as Batman, and Matt Reeves’ ‘The Batman Part II’ is intended to exist in a separate universe. The fact that a suit has yet to be designed is consistent with a film that is still years away from release.

Overall, Gunn’s responses indicate a studio that is cautious about its commitments. While he is willing to confirm certain characters, he is equally prepared to clarify when a project does not belong.

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