Now that we’re officially in the midst of James Gunn’s DC Universe, here are 9 characters from Zack Snyder’s universe most deserving of redemption.

Director Zack Snyder provided a bold vision for a live-action Justice League and the greater DC Extended Universe. While it was never fully realized, multiple entries were incredibly entertaining nonetheless, full of raw power, gravitas, and epic storytelling. That said, many “Synderverse” characters’ stories were left unfinished, scrapped entirely, or drastically changed (and often not for the better).

James Gunn’s new DC Universe is now in full force (especially after 2025’s Superman). As such, there’s never been a better time to start over with several heroes and villains from the Snyderverse with brand-new actors and stories. Keeping that in mind, here are 9 characters from Zack Snyder’s DCEU that can now be redeemed in James Gunn’s DCU.

Cyborg

Ray Fisher’s Cyborg was meant to be the heart of Justice League, only for his role in the initial 2017 version (directed by Joss Whedon) to be significantly cut and sidelined due to studio interference and a collection of issues behind the scenes.

Nevertheless, Victor Stone’s story of grief, loss, and reluctant heroism was a standout arc, especially when we got to see his role as originally intended thanks to Zack Snyder’s Justice League in 2021 (aka “The Snyder Cut”). Now, A DCU Cyborg revival could further explore Victor’s humanity and identity to a much higher degree.

Perhaps we could see Cyborg back as a Teen Titan, something many DC fans would likely appreciate despite the DCEU having gone with Cyborg’s Justice League status, a change that first happened via DC’s New 52 comics reboot in 2011. After all, Cyborg has recently gone back to being a Titan in the comics as well.

Flash

While Ezra Miller’s Flash had moments of charm and genuine emotion, much of it was largely overshadowed by real-life controversy surrounding the actor over time. Likewise, 2023’s The Flash movie didn’t do so well as one of the DCEU’s very last films, having been widely panned by critics and audiences alike.

With any luck, the new DCU can reboot Barry Allen’s Flash while preserving the spirit Snyder initially introduced: a high-speed hero seeking to embrace his heroism as best as he can. It might also be smart to take inspiration from the CW’s 9-season Flash series, as Grant Gustin’s Barry Allen/Flash was an incredibly beloved version of the character.

Martian Manhunter

Snyder’s Martian Manhunter reveal was one of the biggest surprises in Zack Snyder’s Justice League, as the ultimate reveal of his character had been completely erased from the initially theatrical cut in 2017.

Harry Lennix’s J’onn J’onzz was introduced as a hidden observer, offering counsel to Lois Lane disguised as both Lieutenant General Calvin Swanwick and Martha Kent before appearing as his true alien self to Batman by the movie’s end, warning of threats to come to Zack Snyder’s future Justice League sequels that were planned but never made.

Tragically, this meant that J’onn J’onzz never actually joined the fight as intended. Hopefully, this is something that James Gunn’s DCU will one day correct. The Martian Manhunter is one of the DC Universe’s greatest heroes, a gifted strategist and powerful shapeshifter who could also help usher the heroes of Earth into a greater interstellar narrative.

Ryan Choi/The Atom

Another character whose role was cut from 2017’s Justice League, Ryan Choi was put back into the movie thanks to Zack Snyder’s Justice League. Played by Ryan Zheng, also known as Kai Zheng, Ryan Choi was a fellow scientist at STAR Labs who worked with Victor Stone’s father Silas on the Mother Box.

By the movie’s end, Ryan Choi was given oversight of the Kryptonian scout ship and was named STAR’s Director of Nanotechnology, teasing his future superhero role as The Atom (not to be confused with his mentor and former Atom, Ray Palmer).

While Choi’s hinted future as a superhero never came to be in the DCEU, perhaps there could be a place for him in the new DCU. After all, it would be pretty fun to see James Gunn’s DCU one day debuting its own shrinking hero, not unlike the MCU’s Ant-Man.

Comissioner Gordon

J.K. Simmons’ Commissioner Gordon was a fantastic addition to Justice League, having a remarkable presence but tragically very little screen time in the DCEU overall. His no-nonsense demeanor and years of referenced loyalty to Batman hinted at a more layered Gotham story that sadly never came to be.

This is because Warner Bros pivoted from a Ben Affleck-led Batman movie set in the DCEU to director Matt Reeves’ The Batman starring Robert Pattinson, set in its own separate timeline and continuity, which also saw Jeffrey Wright taking on the role of a younger Gordon who’s yet to become Gotham’s Commissioner.

Looking forward to the announced Brave and the Bold movie, the upcoming DCU-set Batman and Robin film is the most likely place where we could get a brand-new Gordon. However, one could argue that J.K. Simmons should reprise the role of Gordon, despite the new universe.

After all, Marvel and Sony have already done something similar with Simmons’ equally iconic comic book role as J. Jonah Jameson, having been brought back to play the MCU version of the character despite having previously played a different version of the Daily Bugle editor in the Tobey Maguire-led Spider-Man universe.

Deathstroke

Joe Manganiello’s Deathstroke appeared briefly in both Snyder’s and Whedon’s versions of Justice League, teasing an epic confrontation with Batman (and potentially more Justice Leaguers) that never arrived.

Armed with epic live-action armor and weapons, the deadly mercenary would have been perfect as a major DCEU villain. Additionally, Slade Wilson was also shown in Zack Snyder’s final Knightmare sequence, appearing as a surprising ally to Batman, Cyborg, Flash, Mera, and Joker in a future apocalyptic Earth under the rule of Darkseid and a corrupted Superman.

Now, James Gunn’s DCU could easily reintroduce Slade Wilson in future movies or shows, continuing the complex legacy of DC’s most dangerous assassin. Much like Simmons, it would be pretty cool to see Joe Manganiello play the DCU version of the character, seeing how he never got a fair shot or full role as Deathstroke in the DCEU.

Joker

Jared Leto’s Joker remains one of the most divisive comic-book portrayals ever. Debuting in 2016’s Suicide Squad, Leto’s Joker was chaotic but lacked depth, while never feeling fully accurate to the original Clown Prince of Crime.

However, Joker’s brief scene in Zack Snyder’s Justice League and the aforementioned Knightmare sequence admittedly did hint at something deeper and more captivating as the arch-foes were forced to work together in the DCEU’s darkly teased future.

Nevertheless, James Gunn’s DCU is a chance to fully start over with a new take on Joker capable of earning a far better reception (with a far more accurate portrayal).

Maxwell Lord

Pedro Pascal’s Maxwell Lord from Wonder Woman 1984 was quite charming. However, his role and portrayal were incredibly tied to the Wonder Woman sequel’s unique 80s setting.

That said, the idea of a charismatic businessman pulling the strings of superhumans has endless potential, as we’ve already begun to see with Sean Gunn’s new version in the DCU, having had a minor cameo in Superman and a small role in the premiere of Peacemaker season 2.

This is hopefully all set up for a bigger role that’s still to come, as Lord is currently financing the superhero team known as the Justice Gang that may very well one day evolve into the DCU’s Justice League. It will be fascinating to see if Gunn’s Maxwell Lord similarly evolves into a darker figure in this new universe.

Green Lantern (John Stewart)

Zack Snyder originally planned to introduce Green Lantern in his Justice League films with Wayne T. Carr playing John Stewart. He even released pictures of the character in costume with his powerful ring.

Now, the DCU’s upcoming Lanterns series will be our first chance to finally see John Stewart in live-action, played by actor Aaron Pierre as a rookie working with veteran Hal Jordan (played by Kyle Chandler). This should serve as some peak redemption for the teased live-action John Stewart we never got in the DCEU.