James Gunn’s new DC Universe is building a world where gods and monsters are real, and the “monsters” are making a huge impact. From the very first movie, giant creatures known as kaiju have been unleashed, creating a living history of epic battles and alien threats that shape this new superhero world. The DCU is not starting from scratch; it’s a world already scarred by giant invasions, and understanding these monsters is key to understanding the universe itself.
The Metropolis Kaiju in ‘Superman’
The new Superman movie introduced audiences to the DCU with a massive bang by pitting the Man of Steel against a fire-breathing kaiju in the heart of Metropolis. This was more than just a spectacular fight scene; it was a declaration of the kind of world this DCU would be. The creature, which grew from a small, excitable animal into a skyscraper-sized beast, was revealed to be a creation of Lex Luthor. Luthor engineered the attack as a distraction for his own schemes, forcing Superman into a battle that tested his strength and his commitment to protecting civilians. The battle was a direct nod to Japanese tokusatsu and Godzilla films, genres that director James Gunn has cited as a major inspiration for the movie.
The Evergreen Kaiju in ‘Peacemaker’
The small town of Evergreen became a battlefield in Peacemaker Season 2, confirming that these giant monster attacks are not isolated to big cities. A brutal, insectoid kaiju smashed through its streets, forcing Peacemaker and his team to confront a threat far larger than anything they had faced before. This event is crucial because it directly links the events of the TV shows to the films, creating a cohesive universe. The design of the Evergreen creature echoes the one Superman fought, suggesting they may be part of a wider ecosystem of threats emerging across the DCU.
Established Canon: The Butterfly Invasion and Starro
Even before the new Superman’s fight, the DCU had already experienced otherworldly invasions that remain a key part of its history.
The Cow from Peacemaker Season 1 is a grotesque, massive alien organism that served as the food source for the parasitic Butterfly invaders. James Gunn has confirmed that the events of the first season remain “almost fully consistent” with the new DCU canon, meaning this bizarre piece of body horror and the entire Butterfly invasion are part of the world’s official backstory.
Similarly, the legacy of Starro the Conqueror from The Suicide Squad endures. Peacemaker Season 2 openly references “Project Starfish,” confirming that the event where a giant, mind-controlling starfish nearly consumed a city is a key historical disaster in the DCU’s timeline. This choice shows that Gunn is curating the best elements from previous films rather than erasing them completely.
What Future Kaiju Could Appear in the DCU?
The comics are filled with more giant creatures that could easily make the jump to the big screen. Fans are already speculating about which ones might appear next.
- Titano the Super-Ape: This classic villain is a chimp transformed into a giant, skyscraper-sized ape. His tragic story would fit well with Gunn’s history of creating emotionally complex monsters.
- Chemo: A walking environmental disaster, Chemo is a giant container of toxic sludge. Any battle with him would be as much about containing a ecological catastrophe as it is about fighting.
- The Centre and Mageddon: These are apocalyptic-level threats on a cosmic scale. They represent the kind of universe-ending wars that could form the climax of a future chapter in the DCU.
How ‘Peacemaker’ Fixes DCU Continuity
Peacemaker Season 2 has become an unexpected tool for James Gunn to fine-tune the DCU’s continuity. The show acts as a “repair workshop,” confirming which events from earlier films and shows still happened. For example, while the Justice League cameo from Season 1 was replaced with a new “Justice Gang,” the core stories of the Butterflies, the Cow, and Starro remain intact. This makes the series essential viewing for anyone who wants to understand the full scope of the DCU’s history and the giant monsters that inhabit it.
James Gunn said of an ongoing segment during the first episode of Peacemaker: The Official Podcast, “It’s going to be on every episode… and that is: what’s canon? One of the things people are most confused by as Peter Safran and I took over DC is ‘What is part of the DCU?’”
The DCU is a universe built to tremble, and with James Gunn’s love for giant monsters, the next tremor is sure to be even bigger.
Also Read: James Gunn Prioritized Danielle Brooks’ Comfort for Peacemaker’s Challenging Earth x Storyline
