With the upcoming DC Universe in the works from DC Studios, one of James Gunn’s frequent collaborators pitches themselves for a new role. As Gunn is working on the DC Universe with Peter Safran, several films and TV shows are in the works, as DC Studios aim to run a proper interconnected universe. With Gunn having worked on the Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy, numerous actors have come over to the DCEU, with many set to continue playing their roles in the new DC Universe.
One of Gunn’s collaborators, Chukwudi Iwuji, has already taken part in Gunn’s Peacemaker TV show and recently portrayed the High Evolutionary in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. However, the actor is ready to work with Gunn again and has a specific role in mind in the DC Universe. In an interview with Comic Book, the Nigerian-British star shared that he would love to portray Etrigan the Demon in Gunn’s upcoming franchise, sharing the following:
I can’t believe I’m forgetting the name, but there’s a sorcerer… He comes from the days of Merlin and he lives today, right now, and he sort of has a demon inside of him that comes out… [Interviewers provide the name] Yes! Etrigan! In fact I was talking to a friend about it: I was like ‘This character… this is Jeykll and Hyde in the DC world,” Iwuji continued. “So Etrigan. If you told me to name one it would be Etrigan. Like I just love the idea of having two people existing in one. That’d be my DC one. Etrigan.
While Iwuji didn’t specifically name-drop the team, Etrigan has big ties to Justice League Dark, which was meant to be a shared TV and film universe from J.J. Abrams. But as of February 2023, HBO Max’s Justice League Dark show was reportedly canceled, and seemingly all the projects tied to that franchise. However, while it may not be moving forward anymore with Abrams, the projects could be retooled into Gunn’s new DC Universe.
Chapter 1 is appropriately titled “Gods and Monsters” and is already making room for one of DC’s iconic supernatural creatures, with Swamp Thing getting his own movie. That project alone can pave the way for Justice League Dark to slowly get established, including the introduction of Etrigan, who has yet to appear in live-action. Instead of starting with a team-up show like HBO Max was seemingly looking to do, Gunn can establish the various members and eventually bring the Justice League Dark group together as either a film or series.
As far as Iwuji being cast as Etrigan, even though he was in Peacemaker, The Flash movie is about to reboot the DCEU into the DC Universe. With a fresh continuity, Gunn could easily tap Iwuji as the iconic supernatural creature because it remains to be seen what will and will not be canon in Peacemaker season 2 and beyond. Hopefully, with a clean slate for the DC Universe, Gunn will be able to find a place for Iwuji in his new franchise.
Source: Comic Book
