10 Dead DCEU Characters Who Need To Come Back In The DC Universe
The DC Extended Universe may have ended, but some of its best characters deserve a second chance in James Gunn’s DC Universe. While the upcoming reboot aims to redefine DC’s live-action storytelling, it doesn"t mean certain iconic figures should be left behind. Some characters, despite their premature deaths, hold immense potential for fresh storytelling under new creative direction. Whether it’s a villain who never got the chance to reach their full potential or a hero whose legacy was barely explored, a few figures from the DCEU timeline deserve resurrection.
The DCEU movies struggled with consistency, often introducing compelling characters only to discard them too soon. Unlike Marvel’s carefully structured universe, DC’s previous attempt at an interconnected franchise suffered from abrupt creative shifts and underdeveloped story arcs. As the DCU takes shape, Gunn and Peter Safran have the opportunity to course-correct by bringing back fan-favorite characters and giving them the attention they deserve. By reviving certain characters, the DCU’s future can balance innovation with familiar faces, ensuring a fresh yet recognizable world.
10 Black Manta's DCEU Story Proved His DCU Potential Aquaman (2018) Close Yahya Abdul-Mateen II’s Black Manta was one of the most visually striking and well-cast villains in the DCEU. Introduced in Aquaman (2018), David Kane was a fierce yet underutilized adversary. Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (2023) gave him a more significant role, allowing him to wield the powerful Black Trident, but ultimately, his story ended with his defeat.
The DCEU movies struggled with consistency, often introducing compelling characters only to discard them too soon. Unlike Marvel’s carefully structured universe, DC’s previous attempt at an interconnected franchise suffered from abrupt creative shifts and underdeveloped story arcs. As the DCU takes shape, Gunn and Peter Safran have the opportunity to course-correct by bringing back fan-favorite characters and giving them the attention they deserve. By reviving certain characters, the DCU’s future can balance innovation with familiar faces, ensuring a fresh yet recognizable world.
10 Black Manta's DCEU Story Proved His DCU Potential Aquaman (2018) Close Yahya Abdul-Mateen II’s Black Manta was one of the most visually striking and well-cast villains in the DCEU. Introduced in Aquaman (2018), David Kane was a fierce yet underutilized adversary. Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (2023) gave him a more significant role, allowing him to wield the powerful Black Trident, but ultimately, his story ended with his defeat.
