Darkseid would have been the main villain of Zack Snyder’s Justice League sequels, and the Fourth World character should return to the new DC Universe. Following the announcement of a Superman reboot, James Gunn and Peter Safran’s DC Studios releases a partial slate for the new DC Universe’s Chapter 1. While Darkseid was not mentioned in the description of any of the listed projects, DC’s Apokolips big bad needs to return in James Gunn’s new DC Universe.
So far, Darkseid has only appeared in live-action twice. The first was in Smallville’s series finale, in which Darkseid was adapted as a cloud-ish entity that could possess others. Darkseid’s second live-action appearance was in Zack Snyder’s Justice League (2021), which teased a bigger role for Darkseid in Justice League sequels that never happened. Here are 10 reasons whythe new DC Universe, which begins on the movie side of things with James Gunn’s Superman: Legacy, needs Darkseid.
10 Darkseid Is One Of The Most Powerful Villains The DC Universe Can Use
Some incredibly powerful DC villains have appeared in live-action, but none of them are as powerful as Darkseid can be. While not every superhero film asks for an absurdly powerful villain, the DC Universe’s power levels demand a villain as strong as Darkseid. Superman alone can take on most of DC’s villains, which is why Justice League-level stories need an antagonist like Darkseid. A DC Studios Justice League movie was not part of James Gunn’s DC Universe slate, but it is difficult to imagine that this new franchise won’t have a Justice League. Whenever DC’s most famous heroes come together, Darkseid can be a perfect match for them.
9 Darkseid Was Wasted By The DCEU – And Deserves Better
The DCEU hinted at Darkseid for the first time in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, which featured Apokolips’ Parademons during Batman’s “Knightmare” sequence. One of the additional scenes in Batman v Superman’s Ultimate Edition confirmed that Steppenwolf, one of Darkseid’s generals, would be Justice League’s villain. The idea was to save Darkseid for the Justice League sequels and have the team take on Steppenwolf first. Even still, Justice League was set to address Darkseid, and actor Ray Porter was cast in the role for a couple of scenes. However, Darkseid was cut from the theatrical Justice League version, which only referenced Darkseid in a throwaway line.
Justice League’s cut Darkseid scenes were among the biggest selling points of Zack Snyder’s Justice League, the Snyder Cut, released in 2021. Not only was Steppenwolf’s original design restored, but Darkseid now played a much more significant role in the film. Steppenwolf directly spoke to his master; a younger Darkseid fought the armies of Earth in the “Age of Heroes” chapter, and a full-fledged Darkseid challenged the Justice League at the end of the film. However, a Justice League sequel never happened, neither building up from the theatrical cut nor continuing the Snyderverse. Essentially, the DCEU failed Darkseid, who never got to actually face Superman and the Justice League.
8 Darkseid Can Be The DC Universe’s Version Of Thanos
Darkseid was created before Thanos, but when it comes to live-action movies, Marvel’s Mad Titan has become far more popular. Thanos was the main villain in Marvel’s Multiverse Saga, having appeared in three movies before facing the Avengers in Avengers: Infinity War. The third Avengers movie was mostly focused on Thanos, delivering an extremely powerful but also nuanced villain that quickly made his mark on pop culture. DC should not aim at replicating what the MCU did to Thanos, but it can deliver an equally impactful villain with the God of Tyranny. Whereas the MCU’s Thanos believed he was right, DC’s Darkseid can be the pure essence of evil.
7 The DC Universe Is Already Hinting At Darkseid
Whereas the DCEU began with a relatively grounded Superman movie where Kal-El was Earth’s first public alien, the new franchise will see several established DC superheroes from the start. The new DC Universe’s first film is Superman: Legacy, but characters like Hal Jordan, John Stewart, and Batman will all already be around. Creature Commandos, Waller, and Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow also prove that the new DC Universe will take place in a mostly full-fledged DC timeline. As such, Darkseid could easily appear in any of the upcoming DC Universe movies and shows. Gunn has confirmed that Lanterns will deal with a mysterious threat, which could perhaps tie into Apokolips.
6 Darkseid Fits The DC Universe Chapter 1’s Biggest Theme
The DC Universe’s Chapter 1 is called “Gods and Monsters.” The term “Gods and Monsters” has been associated with DC characters for a while, and it was even the title of a DC Animated movie. Both “gods” and “monsters” can refer to a plethora of DC Universe characters, from superheroes to supervillains. Interestingly, Darkseid is both a god and a monster in DC Comics lore. Darkseid is considered one of the New Gods, advanced beings who replaced the universe’s Old Gods. Darkseid is also one of DC’s scariest monsters, a character defined by his evilness and desire for destruction.
5 Darkseid Is Too Iconic To Not Appear Eventually
While Darkseid only appeared in a live-action movie once, the God of Tyranny is one of DC Comics’ most iconic characters. Be it as a Justice League villain or as part of DC’s Fourth World lore, Darkseid has been part of some of DC Comics’ most important stories in the last few decades. There are other all-powerful entities in the DC Universe that shaped DC Comics’ history, such as the Anti-Monitor. However, Darkseid’s rich comic book lore puts him at the top of the list of most iconic Justice League villains. Darkseid has also appeared in multiple DC animated productions, including the original DC Animated Universe and the DCAMU.
4 Darkseid Is A Perfect Villain For Multiple Confirmed DC Universe Heroes
Darkseid is often portrayed as a Justice League villain but can be the perfect antagonist for several confirmed DC Universe characters. Darkseid, Steppenwolf, and other Apokolips-related characters perfectly fit into Superman’s mythos and could antagonize Clark Kent in future Superman films. Likewise, Darkseid can be a great nemesis to Supergirl, especially since Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow is set to be a very sci-fi take on Kara Zor-El. In addition, the Green Lanterns Corps would obviously be aware of the threat Darkseid and the forces of Apokolips represent to the universe. Therefore, even without a confirmed Justice League movie, the DC Universe’s Chapter 1 could already use Darkseid.
3 Darkseid Means Other Fourth World Characters Can Join The DC Universe
Darkseid is an important character of his own, but his role in the DC Universe is part of an even wider lore, the Fourth World. Jack Kirby helped reinvent the DC Universe by creating extensive alien lore centered on god-like entities that existed outside of the known universe. That “pocket universe” would become known as the Fourth World. Kirby’s Fourth World canon told the stories of the New Gods of New Genesis and Apokolips, the latter of which includes Darkseid. The Fourth World also includes Granny Goodness, Big Barda, Mister Miracle, Orion, Metron, Kalibak, the Forever People, and many others. Each of those characters would be a great addition to the DC Universe.
2 Darkseid’s New Gods Lore Can Span Multiple DC Movies & Shows
More than adding new characters to the DC Universe, Darkseid’s full backstory and New Gods lore can be at the center of several DC movies and TV shows. Characters like Big Barda, Mister Miracle, and the Forever People could star in their own DC Universe project, for example. DC’s scrapped New Gods movie could also finally happen, now adjusted to fit James Gunn’s DC Universe plans. The Fourth World characters can give the DC Universe something very different from what the MCU and other superhero franchises are doing, and it could all begin with Darkseid.
1 Darkseid Can Be The Overarching Villain For The Entire DC Universe
Even if the DC Universe’s Chapter 1 does not use Darkseid as one of its main villains, the forces of Apokolips would work as an overarching threat to the entire DC Universe for multiple years. Darkseid and the Justice League are often involved in a “cold war,” knowing that neither side can attack the other without major consequences. The Justice League does not have to fight Darkseid in every movie, but the Apokolips’ leader can be a recurring player in their story nonetheless. For example, in the DC Animated Movie Universe, Darkseid was the first and final Justice League villain. In conclusion, there is no shortage of options to adapt Darkseid.
