DC Has Already Announced The Perfect Movie For Its Latest DCU Hero Tease

James Gunn recently teased a potential new hero for the DCU, and though nothing is confirmed, the character feels like a natural fit for the upcoming Swamp Thing movie. James Mangold, who previously directed Logan, seems to be DC’s choice to helm the Swamp Thing movie, not Gunn. However, as DC’s CEO, Gunn has some creative input over their film slate, and can probably make suggestions about which characters to include in what projects.

Swamp Thing seems like a logical place for DC to include cameos, since it will likely be delving more deeply into the DCU’s supernatural side than other movies like Superman or The Brave and the Bold. While the DCU Creature Commandos cast will include some supernatural characters, DC will likely want to also introduce some in the movies, especially in case some audiences skip the show. Seeing as the hero Gunn teased is supernatural and has worked with Swamp Thing in the past, it seems like a fair bet that this is where he will pop up if the figure does indeed appear in DC’s new franchise.

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James Gunn Has Teased Deadman’s Appearance

Deadman First Appeared In Strange Adventures #205 (1967)

James Gunn posted a picture of the DC character Deadman to his Instagram in March 2024, leading to a slew of theories about the character and the DCU, as the DC Universe co-CEO has used his social media to tease or often outright explain impending aspects of the franchise. Often when posting comic book art, Gunn will leave a caption about why he likes a specific character or his reason for posting the picture.

However, since Gunn left the caption for his Deadman post blank, fans began to speculate that Gunn could be hinting at an announcement he isn’t ready to make yet, in the same vein as his posts about other DC heroes who then had more light shed on then. If Gunn is thinking of including Deadman in a future DCU project, he would also likely be interested in seeing what kind of reactions a post like this would get.

For anyone not familiar with the character, Deadman is former trapeze artist Boston Brand who was killed during a performance. Though Brand is dead, he gains the ability to possess other people’s bodies. Given his long history in the comics, Deadman has interacted with many different DC characters, and was even a Justice League member at one point. However, it would make sense for DC to include him in their Swamp Thing movie.

Deadman Has Worked With Swamp Thing Before

Deadman And Swamp Thing Appeared Together In Swamp Thing #49 (1986)

As two of DC’s supernatural heroes, it isn’t a big surprise that Swamp Thing and Deadman have interacted before in the comics. During Alan Moore’s run on Swamp Thing, the titular hero and Deadman once worked together to journey through the spirit realm in a story that was an allusion to Dante’s Inferno. The two also interacted in some of Jerry Conway’s Challengers of the Unknown comics.

Based on this – and the fact that both figures are arguably underrated DC characters who have been around for a considerable period of time – Swamp Thing feels like it makes the most sense for Deadman’s DCU appearance. Even if they don’t interact all the time, they both exist in a very specific corner of DC’s universe. Because of this connection, both Swamp Man and Deadman have also been members of the same super team, which could be teased or established by having both characters in the same movie.

Deadman’s Swamp Thing Appearance Could Set Up A Future DCU Team

Deadman And Swamp Thing Are Both Members Of Justice League Dark

Both Deadman and Swamp Thing have been members of DC’s Justice League Dark, which raises some interesting potential for the DCU. Swamp Thing is more often a member, with Deadman joining the team occasionally. Still, if they are both going to be in the DCU, it would make sense to have them both on the movie universe’s version of the team.

The team also features prominent DC characters like Wonder Woman and John Constantine, and they are usually tasked with facing more magical threats than the typical Justice League. As such, introducing them would allow the franchise to focus on different aspects of DC’s overall lore – but the team’s inclusion in the DCU would also make up for a project that was previously teased.

Before the DCU reboot was announced, JJ Abrams had been in talks to develop a Justice League Dark show, as well as several connecting shows featuring core team members like Zatanna and Constantine. These plans ultimately fell through, but it’s clear DC saw the potential in adapting the team at some point. If Deadman makes an appearance in Swamp Thing, then this could be a good way to set up the team, eventually coming together later in the DCU and expanding the DC Universe’s supernatural side all the while.