Warning! This article contains spoilers for Superman.
TheDC Universehas teased a three-villain team-up that would improve on anything Marvel has done in recent years. The first cinematic installment of theDCU’s Chapter One: Gods and Monstershas been released, allowing many more characters to be introduced to the franchise.Superman’s endingsolidified this, with villains and heroes alike now part of the sprawling world.
Supermancontained many Easter eggsto DC characters that weren’t involved, too, even including a road sign to Gotham City. This only proves how wide-reaching the DCU will eventually be in terms of its hero and villain rosters. However, after only the first movie and TV show,Creature Commandos, the DCU has teased an adequate amount of the latter.
There were severalvillains inSuperman,yet it is how one of these may link to one fromCreature Commandosthat is incredibly exciting. Via this link, the DC Universe has already teased the possibility of a villain team-up between three major characters in the franchise. Given Marvel Studios' lackluster villain teams, the DCU could blow its competitor out of the water.
The MCU’s Supervillain Team Offerings Have Been Limited At Best
Firstly, it is worth exploring how Marvel has slacked on the supervillain team front. Ironically, it cannot be said that theMCU has not included many villain teams, as it certainly has. Two of the franchise’s Phase One movies included as much, withIron Manincluding the Ten Rings andCaptain America: The First Avengerincluding HYDRA.
Both of these have persevered into Phases 3 and 4, yet they cannot be described as typical supervillain teams. Of that ilk, only the Black Order fromAvengers: Infinity WarandAvengers: Endgamecan be counted, in the sense that several individual villains come together to fight The Avengers rather than big, wide-reaching organizations.
However, the Black Order was somewhat underutilized, with Thanos naturally taking center stage above his children. Also, the other villains of the Black Order were not antagonists of any individual MCU heroes. A team like the Sinister Six, for instance, is all linked to Spider-Man, making the emotional weight of their battles much stronger. The Black Order lacked this.
Speaking of the Sinister Six,Spider-Man: No Way Homeprovided almost as much. This is arguably the best instance of the MCU including a supervillain team, yet even then, it was limited. Only five villains were used, and the likes of Sandman and The Lizard were sidelined somewhat. Thus far,there has yet to be a truly great MCU villain team.
Superman Makes A DCU Villain Trio Already Seem Very Possible For The Franchise
The DCU Already Has More Villain Team Potential After Only Two Projects
Jumping over to the other side of the superhero cinema pond, the DC Universe has already made a compelling villain team seem possible after only two installments. AlthoughSupermanhas long been considered the official start of the DCU,Creature Commandoswas released in December 2024 as a prologue of sorts.
This show introduced a lot of wider DCU characters, one of whom is linked to a major Justice League hero. The character in question is aWonder Woman villain known as Circe, a sorceress who seeks to rule Themyscira.
Creature Commandosgave Circe somewhat of a heroic arc, yet her villainy was still outlined. As ofCreature Commandos’ending, Circe was imprisoned in Belle Reve by Amanda Waller. Interestingly,Superman’s main villain, Lex Luthor, was also sent to Belle Reve after his malicious machinations were foiled.
Herein lies the set-up for the DCU’s first villain team. Lex Luthor and Circe are certainly villains, both with Amanda Waller as their overseer. Waller has been known to engage in villainous arcs in the comics, and even in James Gunn’sThe Suicide Squad,as a means to an end for the “greater good.”
With all three characters in the same place, the DC Universe could have its first villain team. While the franchise would need to provide a compelling reason for Waller to be involved, this would already improve on any villain group the MCU has done. Even without Waller,Lex and Circe could make for the beginnings of a team like the Legion of Doom.
Two Upcoming DCU Shows Both Have The Perfect Excuse To Bring These Characters Together
Concerning how this villain team could continue being teased, two upcoming DCU shows have the opportunity to do this. Firstly,Peacemakerseason 2’s storywill be released on HBO Max in August 2025, which has ties to Amanda Waller. Waller’s daughter, Leota Adebayo, is a main character, meaning Waller appeared inPeacemakerseason 1 as a result.
This could mean Waller appears inPeacemakerseason 2. The show is already expected to tie into the wider DCU thanks to characters like Hawkgirl and Guy Gardner, who debuted inSuperman, having roles. All of this could allowPeacemakerto set up a future story involving Waller and the two powerful prisoners at her disposal.
Beyond that, James Gunn’s initial plan for the DCU involved a TV show simply titledWaller. While it is unclear if this show is still going ahead, it has not been canceled either.Wallercould explain why the titular character would ally herself with Lex Luthor and Circe or show the latter two manipulating her.
Either way, theDCUhas the perfect opportunity for a major supervillain team-up.
