Photo credit: Warner Bros. Discovery

Following its merger with Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD), the studio underwent a major restructuring that resulted in the departure of Walter Hamada, the former head of WB’s DC film division.

James Gunn, known as the director of the Guardians of the Galaxy Series in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and The suicide squad (2021) (which differs from the 2016 Suicide Squad with Jared Leto as the Joker), has taken on the role of Walter Hamada and is working with co-CEO Peter Safran.

In this new phase of the DC Universe (DCU), called “Chapter One – Gods and Monsters,” James Gunn and his newly founded DC Studios want to give new impetus to the former DC Extended Universe (DCEU) with a fresh start.

The heart of this reboot is the upcoming film Superman (formerly known as Superman: Legacy), with David Corenswet taking over the role of Clark Kent/Superman, replacing Henry Cavill. Inspired by the DC Comics series of the same name, this film is intended to continue the continuity of Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel And Justice Leaguecollectively known as the “Snyderverse.”

The previous version of the DC film universe, the DC Extended Universe (DCEU), was dominated by Zack Snyder’s Justice League. This version introduced audiences to Henry Cavill as Superman/Clark Kent, Ben Affleck as Bruce Wayne/Batman, Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman/Diana Prince, Ezra Miller as The Flash/Barry Allen, Jason Momoa as Aquaman/Arthur Curry, and Ray Fisher as Cyborg/Victor Stone.

According to The Wrap, Sean Gunn’s version of the character Maxwell Lord is set to debut in the new DC Universe. Supermanwill not be based on “other live-action portrayals” from the former DC film universe. Pedro Pascal previously played the character in Wonder Woman 1984 (2020), the sequel to Wonder Woman (2017) by director Patty Jenkins.

Now it seems that the DC Universe is abandoning the character Maxwell Lord, established in the DC Extended Universe, in favor of a more “comic book-accurate” portrayal of the character by Sean Gunn.

Sean Gunn is the brother of Superman Director James Gunn, and is known for his close collaboration with his brother in the past, especially when the Marvel Cinematic Universe Guardians of the Galaxy Kraglin Obfonteri from the franchise.

Based on what we know about his character Maxwell Lord in the DC Comics, Lord is a fairly complex personality, best known as a powerful businessman and manipulative genius. Originally introduced as a wealthy entrepreneur who helps found the Justice League International, Lord’s character takes a darker turn and becomes an influential villain who develops mind control powers as a metahuman himself.

He is best known for his role in the story where he manipulates and controls Superman and forces Wonder Woman to kill him to save the world. Maxwell Lord’s character often deals with themes of power, control, and the moral ambiguities of heroism and villainy – a perfect segue to the issues that will face the upcoming Superman film.

Do you think Maxwell Lord’s character should be completely reworked? Look forward to Superman? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

More about DC’s Superman

Farewell, Black Adam and Zack Snyder.

In the upcoming DC adaptation of SupermanDavid Corenswet (Hollywood, The politician) will appear as Clark Kent/Superman, with Rachel Brosnahan (The wonderful Mrs. Maisel) played the role of his lover, Lois Lane, a journalist at the Daily Planet.

The film also stars Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner/Green Lantern, Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl, Edi Gathegi as Mister Terrific, Skyler Gisondo as Jimmy Olsen and Anthony Carrigan as Metamorpho, who returns after his role as Victor Zsasz in Gotham (2014–2019).

Nicholas Hoult, known for his role as young Beast/Hank McCoy in the X-Men series of 20th Century Fox and his performance in Renfield (2023), will portray Lex Luthor. There are also rumors that Kurt Russell, known for his role as Ego the Planet in Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 2could play Jor-El, the father of Clark Kent/Kal-El.

Details on the casting of Jonathan Kent and Martha Kent, Superman’s adoptive parents, have not yet been announced. Sean Gunn will take on the role of Maxwell Lord, replacing Pedro Pascal from the DCEU.