SUPERMAN Director James Gunn Explains What Makes Someone A Metahuman In The DCU

SUPERMAN Director James Gunn Explains What Makes Someone A Metahuman In The DCU

James Gunn's Superman is set in a world that's already populated by super-powered individuals. Now, Gunn has provided an intriguing explanation for what makes a character a "metahuman" in the world of DC.

By DanielKlissmman - Jun 05, 2025 01:06 PM EST
Filed Under: Superman

One aspect that James Gunn and Peter Safran have been particularly careful about when crafting their new DC Universe is its lore. In 2023, for example, Gunn revealed on Threads that DC Studios was creating "an incredibly detailed world map" for the nascent franchise. Then, while speaking to Josh Horowitz on the Happy Sad Confused podcast in 2024, Gunn said his focus for the DCU was world-building.

Now, we've gotten another bit of lore information from the DCU. This one, however, is much more interesting, seeing as it provides more context regarding the classification of super-powered characters in the franchise. DC Studios recently released a series of character posters for Superman. Gunn posted the images on Threads, and captioned the post: "Our metahumans arrive this summer." 

A user responded to the post, suggesting that the only character in the posters who was an actual metahuman was Hawkgirl, played by Isabela Merced. Gunn then provided this interesting reply: 

"In DC Comics, a metahuman is a human-like being with extraordinary, often paranormal, abilities. These powers can arise from a variety of sources, including science, magic, alien origins, mutation, divinity, proficiency, or technology."

The director also clarified in the same post who in the Superman cast is a metahuman: "Therefore, [the character 4] is probably not a metahuman, but Terrific arguably is. Krypto is meta, but I won't say he's not human because he might read this."

Now, while Gunn's quote mentioned DC Comics specifically, the fact that he used it as an explanation for the designation of his DCU characters likely means the description also applies to the live-action franchise. His description makes a lot of sense for characters equipped with advanced tech. Mister Terrific, for example, may be a regular human, but his inventions give him a considerable edge over regular civilians. 

Having said that, Gunn's explanation has intriguing, and perhaps, unexpected, implications for non-super-powered characters. The director stated that "proficiency" was sufficient to designate a character as a metahuman. Assuming that "proficiency" refers to things like athletic ability, scientific knowledge and combat expertise, characters like Batman, Green Arrow, Catwoman, Robin, and even Lex Luthor would fall into that category. 

Now, keep in mind this probably won't affect anything about how characters are handled in the DCU. At the end of the day, it may just mean that physically skilled individuals like the Dark Knight and Peacemaker will be considered as being above average in the human pecking order of the DC Universe.  

What do you think about James Gunn's explanation for who is designated as a metahuman in the DCU? Leave your thoughts in the comments!

Superman arrives in theaters on July 11, 2025. 

SUPERMAN: The Engineer's Secret Relationship With Lex Luthor And Mister Terrific's Nanotech
Related:

SUPERMAN: The Engineer's "Secret Relationship" With Lex Luthor And Mister Terrific's Nanotech

SUPERMAN Heats Up Your Movie Snack With New Popcorn Machine And Canadian Exclusive
Recommended For You:

SUPERMAN Heats Up Your Movie Snack With New Popcorn Machine And Canadian Exclusive

DISCLAIMER: As a user generated site and platform, ComicBookMovie.com is protected under the DMCA (Digital Millenium Copyright Act) and "Safe Harbor" provisions.

This post was submitted by a user who has agreed to our Terms of Service and Community Guidelines. ComicBookMovie.com will disable users who knowingly commit plagiarism, piracy, trademark or copyright infringement. Please CONTACT US for expeditious removal of copyrighted/trademarked content. CLICK HERE to learn more about our copyright and trademark policies.

Note that ComicBookMovie.com, and/or the user who contributed this post, may earn commissions or revenue through clicks or purchases made through any third-party links contained within the content above.

PC04
PC04 - 6/5/2025, 1:06 PM
Superman is from another planet. He is Alien. I don't think that fits into "meta-human" category. Alien does not mean Meta-Human. A meta-human to me would be someone like The Flash. He is human who became something more than human do to cirumstance.

Or am I just splitting hairs?
TheVisionary25
TheVisionary25 - 6/5/2025, 1:12 PM
@PC04 - Superman is not biologically human but he is a humanoid alien
Scarilian
Scarilian - 6/5/2025, 1:14 PM
@PC04 -
Gunn just wants to try and push the vague all-encompassing 'meta-human' term as opposed to actually labeling the characters as what they are.

It's easier for a hack to refer to all the heroes under a singular category as opposed to having to define each of them.
JurassicClunge
JurassicClunge - 6/5/2025, 1:16 PM
@PC04 - gunn is just debunking himself at this point 😮‍💨😅
Irregular
Irregular - 6/5/2025, 1:16 PM
@PC04 - "Human-like" is a pretty key term here. Like Data from Star Trek is an "android" but does have a lot of human-like features since he's an artificial.

I do get what you mean though because it was the way you described. I believe this is them updating what a metahuman means in the DCU.
PC04
PC04 - 6/5/2025, 1:17 PM
@TheVisionary25 - Right. And all you need for that classification is "human in appearance" and being from outside our planet he is then of course, "alien" as well. It seems so weird to use this "META-HUMAN" label.
"Meta-Human" implies the powers were acquired (as he states). They are not naturally occuring to the individual.
Pictilli
Pictilli - 6/5/2025, 1:17 PM
@PC04 - did you not read the description?


"In DC Comics, a metahuman is a HUMAN-LIKE being with extraordinary, often paranormal, abilities. These powers can arise from a variety of sources, including science, magic, alien origins, mutation, divinity, proficiency, or technology."

Superman meets that criteria. He is SuperMAN, not SuperALIEN.
PC04
PC04 - 6/5/2025, 1:20 PM
@Pictilli - I did. And that's why I wrote what I wrote. I guess that begs the question, what is the difference between human-like, human-noid, and human? To me Super-man is an alien. Allen from Invincible is "human-like" in that he is bi-pedal, his body resembles a human body with the exception of his one eye and appendeges. So where's the line?
PC04
PC04 - 6/5/2025, 1:24 PM
@Irregular - Right. Data is a robot/android with a human appearance. In this context (not that we're talking about Data) that wouldn't NOT make him a meta-human. He is Android with Human characteristics.
TheVisionary25
TheVisionary25 - 6/5/2025, 1:24 PM
@PC04 - I understand what you mean

I had the same definition of the term as you but I feel like advanced intelligence or peak physical ability makes sense to count in that too since it’s abilities beyond the average human so it’s malleable
Baf
Baf - 6/5/2025, 2:10 PM
@PC04 - It has to do with Midi-chlorians.
BlackStar25
BlackStar25 - 6/5/2025, 2:41 PM
@PC04 - I like your definition wayyyyy better...
ObserverIO
ObserverIO - 6/5/2025, 3:14 PM
@PC04 - Earth isn't the only planet that has humans.

Or dogs. Is Krypto a dog? Of course he is. He's as much of a dog as Superman is a human.
But he's a meta-dog and Superman is a metahuman.
PC04
PC04 - 6/5/2025, 4:57 PM
@ObserverIO - If I can play devil's advocate just for fun....it is.

The term "human" refers specifically to Homo sapiens, a species within the family Hominidae, which evolved on Earth through a particular evolutionary pathway. So even if a being on another planet looked, acted, and even thought like a human, it wouldn’t be classified as a “human” unless it shared our evolutionary lineage.

ObserverIO
ObserverIO - 6/5/2025, 6:15 PM
@PC04 - And therefor it wouldn't be a man. Or a woman. And therefore The Silver Surfer is not a woman!

Phew! That's a relief.

I think we just saved a whole lotta fans a whole lotta tears.
Goldboink
Goldboink - 6/5/2025, 6:58 PM
@PC04 -
You are just splitting hairs. Alien is listed in his definition so there's that. Meta-Human just means greater than human, which is true for all of those cats.
Goldboink
Goldboink - 6/5/2025, 7:00 PM
@PC04 -
What the team actually means is beyond human. It's used to denote someone who is more powerful in some way that the average person walking the street. Green Arrow would be considered Meta Human due to extreme proficiency as would Batman.
Goldboink
Goldboink - 6/5/2025, 7:02 PM
@PC04 -

Definition #3 fits it. You are getting hung up on a detail that is not relevant.

denoting a change of position or condition.
"metamorphosis"
2.
denoting position behind, after, or beyond.
"metacarpus"
3.
denoting something of a higher or second-order kind.
"metalanguage"
Goldboink
Goldboink - 6/5/2025, 7:03 PM
@Baf -
No, Meta-chlorians!
DocSpock
DocSpock - 6/5/2025, 1:15 PM

Wow! That lineup of A-list characters is gonna make this a 2 billion $ movie for sure!



Goldboink
Goldboink - 6/5/2025, 7:04 PM
@DocSpock -
Supes is the only A lister for $1.5 Billion of that revenue, which are the general audiences who didn't grow up reading comics and just want to go to the movies and be entertained.
MisterBones
MisterBones - 6/5/2025, 1:15 PM
Superman is an alien
Pictilli
Pictilli - 6/5/2025, 1:19 PM
@MisterBones - He is SuperMAN, not SuperALIEN. Being an alien is just the explanation for his powers, nothing else. Everything else - from costume to S shield to morality to the mild mannered reporter disguise - all comes from being Clark Kent.

Did you not read the description?

"In DC Comics, a metahuman is a HUMAN-LIKE being with extraordinary, often paranormal, abilities. These powers can arise from a variety of sources, including science, magic, alien origins, mutation, divinity, proficiency, or technology."

Gunn is correct here.
BlackStar25
BlackStar25 - 6/5/2025, 2:38 PM
@MisterBones - Krypto is also an Alien. This explanation of metahuman is going to bother me...I can already tell...
MisterBones
MisterBones - 6/5/2025, 4:20 PM
@Pictilli - I get it but the "human" aspect just bothers me. Always has. Small nitpick. Yes, Supes looks like a human but he just isn't. Again, I do get it but still...
TheVisionary25
TheVisionary25 - 6/5/2025, 1:21 PM
The term has always been used loosely in the DC universe but Gunn did use the “official” description for it as it pertains to the universe so that’s how it works in this world…

Sometimes they have been specific uses of it in various adaptations such as The Flash tv show which had meta humans being humans with powers that came from the Particle Accelerator explosion or in Young Justice where they were called that because they had the Meta -Gene in their biology which is equivalent to the X-Gene in Marvel.

Ultimately it depends on what the writer wants it to be so I’m cool with this being the take on that term in this universe.
MakeAmericaGrea
MakeAmericaGrea - 6/5/2025, 1:22 PM
James Gunn doesn't understand metahumans.

How can anyone expect him to understand anything else that is part of DC?

Boycott Superman's James Gunn, Peacemaker, and Poopergirl.

We deserve a better DCCU reboot.
ObserverIO
ObserverIO - 6/5/2025, 3:16 PM
When it says "Technology" I think it means being enhanced by technology (like Cyborg), not using technology as a tool (like Batman).

Otherwise anyone with a cellular telephone is a metahuman.
Geochili
Geochili - 6/6/2025, 5:06 AM
@ObserverIO - Well, those phones did change people on a cellular level. That sounds like the mega jeans doohickey thing to me.
Leatherface
Leatherface - 6/5/2025, 3:17 PM
Gunn’s definition ignores the metagene. Mr. Terrific isn’t a metahuman because of his brilliance or tech, whereas Barry Allen is a metahuman because the accident in his lab activated his meta gene, which in his case connects him to the Speed Force.
Leatherface
Leatherface - 6/5/2025, 3:22 PM
From the DC wiki:

“A Metahuman is a human being who has a Meta-Gene, a genetic mutation (being on par with Mutants in the Marvel Universe, and Post-Humans and Gen-Active in the Wildstorm Universe), which when activated can give them superhuman powers. The activation can occur through different methods, including high levels of physical trauma, chemistry, and magic. The term "metahuman" was first coined by the alien Dominators and it has been used to describe any human being with what are commonly described as ‘super powers.’”

Thus, Superman is not a metahuman. His powers are the result of millions of years of evolution on a planet with very different features (stronger gravity, red sun) and in some continuities, generations of genetic engineering.
TheVisionary25
TheVisionary25 - 6/5/2025, 4:13 PM
@Leatherface - this is the definition from Wikipedia

𝐈𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐂 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞, 𝐚 𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐡𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐡𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐬. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐦 𝐢𝐬 𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐥𝐲 𝐬𝐲𝐧𝐨𝐧𝐲𝐦𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐬 𝐦𝐮𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭, 𝐢𝐧𝐡𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐮𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐡𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐦 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐔𝐥𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐬. 𝐈𝐧 𝐃𝐂 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐜𝐬, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐦 𝐢𝐬 𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐟𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐡𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧-𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐞𝐱𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐲, 𝐨𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐫 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐮𝐭𝐞𝐬, 𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐫 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐬𝐦𝐢𝐜, 𝐦𝐮𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭, 𝐬𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜, 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥, 𝐬𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥-𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐢𝐧 𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞.
Colton
Colton - 6/5/2025, 4:49 PM
I think Gunn banking on this movie and over explaining shit on social media is an indicator that it's gonna be a flop. Happy to hold my hands up if it successful but it just feels off.
WarMonkey
WarMonkey - 6/6/2025, 7:28 AM
What about Martian Man Hunter? He's a shape-shifter who can look like a human or a non-human like alien. So is he Meta-Fluid lol. Gunn's definition is nonsensical if you think about it for a second

Please log in to post comments.

Don't have an account?
Please Register.

View Recorder