The DCU's Mythological Shift: Anya Chalotra's Casting as Circe and its Implications for Wonder Woman's Backstory
The recent casting of Anya Chalotra as Circe in the DCU's Creature Commandos has sparked speculation about a major shift in the DCEU's mythology. This article explores the potential implications of this casting on Wonder Woman's backstory and the broader mythological landscape of the DCU.
Anya Chalotra's Casting and the DCU's Mythological Shift
The DCU may have confirmed a major DCEU change. Anya Chalotra's casting in Creature Commandos suggests that the DCU Wonder Woman's backstory will be different from the DCEU's mythology in one key way. Creature Commandos' voice cast grows with the addition of Anya Chalotra in the role of Circe, a mythical character who has been a recurring Wonder Woman villain in the comics throughout the years. As confirmed by DCU CEO James Gunn, voice actors for DCU animated series like Creature Commandos will be able to reprise their roles in live-action. This opens the door for a future confrontation between Anya Chalotra's Circe and the DCU's yet-to-be-cast Wonder Woman.
Anya Chalotra as DC's Circe and the Greek Gods in the DCEU
Gal Gadot's Wonder Woman played an important role in the DCEU's world-building due to her backstory's connection to ancient Greek mythology. According to Justice League, the Greek gods fought alongside humans warriors and the Atlanteans to fend off the Apokoliptians. And according to Wonder Woman, Ares killed the Greek Pantheon some time later, leaving the Amazons as the only society on Earth to know that the ancient gods actually existed in the DCEU. Once Wonder Woman killed Ares at the end of WWI, the DCEU's Olympians officially became extinct.
Circe in DC Comics and Themyscira Concept Art in the DCEU
By itself, Anya Chalotra's Creature Commandos casting announcement suggests that Wonder Woman's DCU backstory will be quite different. Just like the mythical sorceress Circe can casually come into contact with the Creature Commandos, other mythical figures and ancient deities could coexist with modern-day DCU characters. This change makes it possible for the DCU's Wonder Woman to meet Zeus, for Aquaman to meet Poseidon, and for the Flash to meet Hermes, for example. Wonder Woman enemies like Hecate, Eris, and Heracles could also appear in future DCU movies and shows. In DC Comics, the Olympians are only one of many groups of gods. Other DC deities include Darkseid and Mister Miracle, who belong to the New Gods.
The DCU's Expanded Mythological Backstory
The DCU Will Likely Delve Deeper Into Wonder Woman's Mythological Backstory The DCU Wonder Woman prequel show Paradise Lost is set to explore Themyscira in great detail. Themyscira, also nicknamed 'Paradise Island', is founded upon real-life ancient mythology and its DC Comics counterpart, with Queen Hippolyta leading the Amazons in their secluded society far away from gods and mortal men. There are many possible stories Paradise Lost could tackle in the DCU, including its origins, its battles throughout history, and Wonder Woman's DCU origin story and childhood years.
There have also been various different versions of Themyscira, and even different versions of Wonder Woman's origin story in DC Comics. But regardless of whether the DCU's Wonder Woman is Zeus' daughter or not, the appearance of multiple mythical figures like Circe and locations like Themyscira can make Wonder Woman's mythological backstory much more well-developed and complex in the DCU than it ever was in the DCEU. The DCU's improved interconnectivity might also allow other mythical characters like Circe to have their time in the spotlight without having to be linked to Wonder Woman in each appearance.
Implications for the Future of the DCU
The recent casting of Anya Chalotra as Circe has significant implications for the future of the DCU. The inclusion of ancient deities and mythical figures opens up a wealth of storytelling opportunities for the DCU, allowing for the exploration of diverse mythological backstories and the intersection of ancient mythology with modern-day DCU characters. Furthermore, the expanded mythological landscape may pave the way for new and compelling narratives that delve into the rich tapestry of DC Comics' mythos, providing audiences with a deeper understanding of the interconnected world of the DCU.
