SUPERMAN Director James Gunn Reveals Why The Man Of Steel Isn't An Official Member Of DCU's Justice Gang

SUPERMAN Director James Gunn Reveals Why The Man Of Steel Isn't An Official Member Of DCU's Justice Gang

Superman director James Gunn has explained why David Corenswet's Man of Tomorrow isn't an official member of the DCU's Justice Gang, laying the blame at the feet of its corporate sponsor. Check it out...

By JoshWilding - Aug 11, 2025 06:08 AM EST
Filed Under: Superman

Superman introduced the DCU's Justice Gang, a corporate team of superheroes funded by Maxwell Lord and comprised of Green Lantern Corps member Guy Gardner, Hawkgirl, and Mister Terrific. 

Metamorpho joined the team's ranks in the closing moments of the movie, but what of Superman? It was apparent that the heroes all knew each other, and that they'd worked together before crossing paths again in Metropolis to battle that rampaging Kaiju. 

Addressing fan questions on Threads, filmmaker James Gunn explained why, despite their working relationship, Clark Kent isn't an "official" member of the Justice Gang team. 

"Well, I think there could be a few reasons," he shared, "but, first off, you'd have to ask how comfortable Superman would be in a team financed by one of the world's biggest corporations - a team that also promotes that corporation."

Gunn later added, "Yeah, he is like a team member. But he's an independent guy, our Clark." 

So, while Superman will fight by their side when the moment calls for it, it's clear that the Man of Tomorrow would have serious reservations about working for someone like Maxwell Lord. Whether the Justice Gang will eventually evolve into the Justice League or we'll get two competing superhero teams in the DCU remains to be seen. 

Gunn has previously teased the eventual formation of the Justice League. However, with the brand so badly damaged by the 2017 movie and forever linked with the "#ReleaseTheSnyderCut" movement, it's not surprising that the filmmaker is looking to create some breathing space.

Who else would you like to see join the DCU's Justice Gang? 

Superman, DC Studios' first feature film to hit the big screen, is set to soar into theaters worldwide this summer from Warner Bros. Pictures.

In his signature style, James Gunn takes on the original superhero in the newly imagined DC universe with a singular blend of epic action, humor and heart, delivering a Superman who’s driven by compassion and an inherent belief in the goodness of humankind.  

"Superman is an indescribable joy," we said in our review"A beautiful, moving thrill, David Corenswet is the perfect Man of Steel in a movie packed full of ideas. Fortunately, under James Gunn’s expert direction, all of those work, creating a rousing experience that flies higher than DC has in a very long time."

The movie stars David Corenswet in the dual role of Superman/Clark Kent, Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor.

Also appearing are Edi Gathegi, Anthony Carrigan, Nathan Fillion, Isabela Merced, Skyler Gisondo, Sara Sampaio, María Gabriela de Faría, Wendell Pierce, Alan Tudyk, Pruitt Taylor Vince, Neva Howell, and Milly Alcock.

Superman is now playing in theaters.

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Huskers
Huskers - 8/11/2025, 7:11 AM
Something I’ve never understood and that kinda bugs me is, why is the Hall of Justice in Metropolis, it’s always been depicted in Washington D.C. in the comics and other media.
Apophis71
Apophis71 - 8/11/2025, 8:02 AM
@Huskers - Simple answer would be why double the number of cities you use in a film when simply switching location of the HQ is easy to do. Additional point is Metropolis is fictional, can make it look however you want and it need not ever look dated over time whereas in a RL City you'd have to include RL building which may change over time.

I mean we could make up political reasons for the decision but reduction of set production and removing the need for location shots in Washington D.C would be suffice.
TDKRnry88
TDKRnry88 - 8/11/2025, 8:04 AM
@Huskers - That's one of my nitpicks. Now, if there's to be a solo Superman sequel with some s#!* going down in Metropolis with one or more of his villains, they'll have to find an excuse to have the JG not be in it. If Superman is to fight Metallo & Parasite, the JG will either have to be incapacitated or off-world. Can't write them to be be like "Ah, Superman can take them." And it would look bad on their part if Maxwell Lord said "Can't! You have priorities or we're being hamstrung by the government."
lazlodaytona
lazlodaytona - 8/11/2025, 8:07 AM
@Apophis71 - there actually is a Metropolis in the very southern tip of Illinois. Superman museum, big statue, and the yearly celebration in June.
However, the town is a run-down dump and looks absolutely NOTHING like the movies or even the various shows.
Huskers
Huskers - 8/11/2025, 8:46 AM
@Apophis71 - well Cincinnati where they filmed the Hall of Justice is the same distance from Cleveland (which stood in for Metropolis) as it is from D.C. so I don’t think that was the issue.

But what bothered me more was by locating it in Metropolis there’s no need for Superman to be there if you have an entire Justice Gang/League there.
ObserverIO
ObserverIO - 8/11/2025, 9:28 AM
@TDKRnry88 - Superman sequels huh? That might not be a problem.
Apophis71
Apophis71 - 8/11/2025, 9:40 AM
@Huskers - Oh I get the point, they could have done it for sure, but logisticaly understand why it being the same place they shot the rest of the film makes sense and leave Washington D.C. for only when including the Whitehouse/Congress.
OrgasmicPotatoe
OrgasmicPotatoe - 8/11/2025, 7:13 AM
Mark my words, Superman will eventually come around to it in the eventual Justice Gang sequel
UltimaRex
UltimaRex - 8/11/2025, 8:02 AM
@OrgasmicPotatoe - Joking aside, I wouldn't be surprised if Superman and The Justice League is what Gunn is currently writing...
lazlodaytona
lazlodaytona - 8/11/2025, 8:09 AM
@UltimaRex - not a chance. Too much of the universe to flesh out first and, like the article said, they're definitely going to put space between their eventual JL and the previous disasters.
OrgasmicPotatoe
OrgasmicPotatoe - 8/11/2025, 10:52 AM
@UltimaRex - That would just be more of the same. I hope not.
UltimaRex
UltimaRex - 8/12/2025, 5:03 AM
@OrgasmicPotatoe - what are you expecting?
UltimaRex
UltimaRex - 8/12/2025, 5:05 AM
@lazlodaytona - thing is, the "Justice Gang" is the most fleshed out thing so far bar the Creature Commandos...
OrgasmicPotatoe
OrgasmicPotatoe - 8/12/2025, 8:06 AM
@UltimaRex - After that last dud, nothing good, but I hope i'm wrong.
UltimaRex
UltimaRex - 8/12/2025, 9:43 AM
@OrgasmicPotatoe - hate to tell you, but that's the mainline DCU for now.

Best you can hope for is interesting spinoffs...
Fogs
Fogs - 8/11/2025, 7:28 AM
I loved the dynamic they have. He's like his own thing.
They're obv breaking up from corporativism and creating the Justice league in the future. I like the idea of watching this build-up.
Rosraf
Rosraf - 8/11/2025, 8:24 AM
@Fogs - Maybe the heroes split off and Lord unwittingly starts forming the Legion of Doom.
SteviesRightFoo
SteviesRightFoo - 8/11/2025, 7:28 AM
It was nice to see a poorly written superman cameo in the recent justice gang film
UltimaRex
UltimaRex - 8/11/2025, 7:43 AM
@SteviesRightFoo - you liked that, you'll LOVE what's coming up next...
epc1122
epc1122 - 8/11/2025, 7:55 AM
@SteviesRightFoo - justice gang was in it for maybe 10 minutes. 🤦🏻‍♂️
dragon316
dragon316 - 8/11/2025, 8:32 AM
@SteviesRightFoo - how did Johnny survive fall from space with first encounter from silver surfer didn’t show he he was saved who saved him how
SteviesRightFoo
SteviesRightFoo - 8/11/2025, 9:14 AM
@UltimaRex - i wont watch anything further wherein gunn has written or directed superman
UltimaRex
UltimaRex - 8/12/2025, 5:02 AM
@SteviesRightFoo - fine. Five Gunn Superman fans will take your place...
SteviesRightFoo
SteviesRightFoo - 8/12/2025, 5:26 AM
@UltimaRex - true enough
ClungeOfSteel
ClungeOfSteel - 8/11/2025, 7:34 AM
One thing I didnt expect was to actually like Guy Gardner.

I definitely will check out Lanterns for him, Kyle and Aaron.👀
Usernametaken
Usernametaken - 8/11/2025, 8:30 AM
That was so obvious that I feel bad for the dude who needed to ask that question.

Superman will officially team up when the Justice League is formed and he has a say in how it's run.
Laridian
Laridian - 8/11/2025, 8:37 AM
Clearly Guy didn't want him in the JG because he would vote the name is stupid. They answered this in the film.
Forthas
Forthas - 8/11/2025, 8:45 AM
There is no way THIS version of Superman could be a leader of the Justice League! He had to be saved by the "Justice Gang" throughout a "Superman" film. It would seem like they don't really need him.
MaxPaint
MaxPaint - 8/11/2025, 9:46 AM
The definition of "heroism" is let others fight the monsters for you, because you're too busy being a lovebird.

User Comment Image
DocSpock
DocSpock - 8/11/2025, 10:36 AM
@MaxPaint -

That's how I always handle things.
TheVisionary25
TheVisionary25 - 8/11/2025, 10:07 AM
That makes sense imo , I do wish that was in the film itself though even though you could assume that being the reason more or less.

Also I think being part of a corporate team would have mired red tape which is why the Justice Gang couldn’t get involved initially which Superman doesn’t have to worry about.

Anyway , I enjoyed their brief interactions with him in the film especially Guy & Clark so hope to see more in the future!!.
DREAMER
DREAMER - 8/11/2025, 10:09 AM
This version of Superman reminds me Chazz from the movie Airheads
TheNewYorkerr
TheNewYorkerr - 8/11/2025, 11:02 AM
Weak ass Superman. Straight shit
Mawat
Mawat - 8/11/2025, 12:24 PM
@TheNewYorkerr - So you can fight yourself after the other you has trained in martial arts their whole life? So blowing yourself, a dog, a baby, and a metamorpho out of an event horizon is another day at the office?

SM was fighting the hammer of bavoria for 2 hours and 57 minutes before he scuttled off to the fortress to get patched up. Then at only 85% he was charging back into the fray.

Kaiju got smacked in both eyes by powerful attacks, and was only mildly annoyed, and SM was holding back.

When exactly was SM weak?
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