James Gunn gives a new clarification on what is regarded as canon to theDC Universefrom the old DCEU franchise. Now thatGunn’s DCU franchiseis finally underway, DC Studios is rebooting the majority of characters who were featured in the DCEU timeline. However, with various elements still carrying over from the DCEU era, some fans are curious about how much of the DCU is regarded as a reboot.
With the completion ofCreature Commandosseason 1, there have been some reveals that indicate what the DC Universe is and isn’t changing fromthe DCEU timeline. While this will continue to be explored withSupermanandPeacemakerseason 2,Gunn has offered some more clarity on how the DCEU and DCU connect.
A fan asked Gunn recently on Bluesky ifThe Suicide SquadandPeacemakerseason 1 are fully DCU canon"because most plot points in them were either referenced or followed up on in CC?“Gunn gave two explanations for this, with his"short answer"being that:“Only Creature Commandos forward is pure canon. For instance, Rick Flag Jr was killed because we heard Rick Flag Sr talking about it in Creature Commandos, not because we saw it in The Suicide Squad.”
Gunn also gave a"long answer"by declaring that whileCreature Commandos"forward is pure canon,” thePeacemakerTV show"is almost entirely consistent with that canon other than the Justice League.“The DC Studios co-CEO also stressed that"The Suicide Squad has a lot of consistencies but I think of it as an imperfect memory.”
What James Gunn’s DCU Canon Comments Mean For The New Franchise
Based onGunn’s latest DCU canon explanation,it’s worth looking at this new franchise and the DCEU from a multiverse standpoint, with these operating as two unique Earths. As established in other DC live-action properties, many universes sometimes play out in the same way but with some significant differences, while other Earths are flipped on their heads altogether. While the major players like the Justice League are getting completely reimagined, properties likeCreature Commandos,Peacemakerseason 2, and the animatedBlue BeetleTV show fit perfectly with the doppelgänger concept.
In the DCU’s Earth, Rick Flag Jr. can have also killed by Peacemaker,but perhaps not under the exact same circumstances as he was inThe Suicide Squad. While his DCEU doppelgänger died facing Peacemaker, the new season of the Max show may reveal that his death played out differently in this reality. Ultimately, the points wherethe DCEU movie timelinemirrors the DCU should be easy to spot, as they will seemingly be explicitly addressed - and certain tweaks may be made as the DC Universe discusses these plot points.
Our Take On James Gunn’s DCU Canon Comments
From everything Gunn has revealed thus far about the DCU canon,it will be fascinating to follow whatever new changes are being implemented into this universe, especially with the arrival ofPeacemakerseason 2. It’s also possible that upcoming spinoff shows likeWaller- with Viola Davis' Amanda Waller being another DCEU player who came over to the DC Universe inCreature Commandosseason 1 - will showcase how the DCU tackles bringing characters and their stories from one universe to another. But for now, the world will have to wait and see how theDCUwill differ from the DCEU timeline.
DC Universe
The DC Universe is one of the biggest comic book franchises and often competes with Marvel. DC Comics started as National Allied Publications, founded by Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson in 1935. Since then, the franchise has exploded with thousands of comic books, movies, TV shows, and video games. 2013 marked the beginning of the most recent iteration of the superheroes, with Zack Snyder introducing Henry Cavill as Superman. After several movies with mixed reviews, DC underwent a soft reboot under the helm of James Gunn and Peter Safran.
Creature Commandos
Cast
Creature Commandos follows the exploits of a secret team of incarcerated monsters recruited for perilous missions unsuitable for humans. Released in December 2024, the film explores themes of redemption and collaboration as the monstrous squad is tasked with handling threats that present dire challenges beyond human capability.
