DCU's Ultimate Villain Team-up: The League of Supervillains

Warner Bros. is taking the DCU storytelling to the next level by introducing iconic team-ups such as the League of Supervillains. Unlike the previous stand-alone iterations of comic-based characters, DC movies have now created an interconnected universe of characters similar to Marvel’s Phase 1 of movies. The success of Man of Steel in 2013 was followed by Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, paving the way for the Justice League featuring a dream team of superheroes. However, the DCU has a unique opportunity to introduce a League of Supervillains, focusing on their collective abilities to create chaos for the good guys.

James Gunn is revolutionizing DC content with his creative control. He's not only weaving individual stories but also building a more interconnected universe, following the footsteps of Phase 1 of the MCU. However, his approach is not merely copying the MCU marketing strategy. Gunn can take his vision to new heights by introducing unexplored territory in the DCU. For instance, showcasing DC villains working together to achieve their wicked goals would be a fresh take. The Suicide Squad and Birds of Prey, while morally ambiguous, were still fighting to help others. Gunn can set a new precedent by finally bringing the League of Supervillains to the live-action screen.

DC's focus on assembling a team of villains presents a unique approach compared to the more formulaic Marvel movies. The DC universe has never shied away from spotlighting their villains. In fact, Young Justice, the animated series, showcased a group of DC villains early on. The lineup included Poison Ivy, Wotan, Black Adam, Ultra-Humanite, Atomic Skull, and the infamous Joker, with Count Vertigo leading the team.

The League of Supervillains aimed to dominate the world stage with their evil intentions. They employed tactics such as conspiracy, blackmail, and terrorism to achieve their monetary goals. A similar team of DC villains appeared in The Harley Quinn Show, consisting of Bane, The Riddler, The Penguin, Mister Freeze, and Two-Face. DC has a history of uniting its villains, and it will be interesting to see which ones make the cut this time. It would be a refreshing change to see the villains of the DCU receive the recognition they deserve, just like their superhero counterparts.

How the DCU can have an Avengers-Style Villain Team-up

While the Avengers team-up was a significant moment for the MCU, James Gunn may not aim to replicate it in the DCU. Instead, he may seek to differentiate the new era of DC content from the abundance of superhero media available. However, if Gunn intends to follow Kevin Feige's strategy of uniting characters in the League of Supervillains, he must first establish individual projects for prospective members.

Introducing a team of DC villains rather than morally-questionable characters with heroic intentions would offer a fresh take on superhero team-ups. While the League of Supervillains doesn't need to emulate Marvel's Phase 1, it should still feel unique to Gunn's vision for the DCU. This could mean introducing standalone movies to establish each villain before the big team-up reveal, a sacrifice most fans would be willing to make for a truly unique and memorable experience.