A new project announced by the DCU could finally actualize a narrative that both the MCU and the DCU have been teasing for years. The new slate of projects for James Gunn and Peter Safran’s revamped DC Universe has sparked excitement and speculation. One project announced is a movie centrred on the Batman villains, Bane and Deathstroke, which could signal a huge development.
The DCU is well underway and with upcoming DC movies such as Superman and Supergirl, there’s a lot to look forward to. Among the announcements, there’s growing buzz about projects centered around iconic DC villains Bane and Deathstroke. This has raised theories that the DCU Chapter 1 could be setting up something that both Marvel and DC have struggled to pull off in the past: a successful supervillain team-up movie. If done right, this upcoming DC film could finally deliver on a dream that has eluded both comic book powerhouses.
DC’s Secret Six Movie Theories Explained
The Secret Six Are DC’s Villain Team
One of the most tantalizing rumors surrounding the future of the DCU is the possibility of a Secret Six movie. The Secret Six is a supervillain team that has gone through multiple iterations in DC Comics. Though it has had various rosters, one of the most iconic lineups includes Bane and Deathstroke, two characters reportedly being developed in the new DCU.
In the comics, the Secret Six are often portrayed as antiheroes, mercenaries brought together by the mysterious figure known as Mockingbird, and tasked with dangerous, morally ambiguous missions. A Secret Six movie would allow DC to spotlight a unique team dynamic that stands apart from the typical superhero groupings like the Justice League. Unlike the outright villainy of the Legion of Doom, the Secret Six operates in a grey area where their motivations can range from personal gain to warped senses of justice.
Having Bane and Deathstroke – two of DC’s most formidable, strategic villains – at the center of this would give the team real weight. The possibility of seeing these characters team up opens the door to a gritty, intense storyline that could dive deep into the psyches of these characters, rather than simply portraying them as one-note villains. This would align with James Gunn’s tendency to explore flawed, complex characters, much like he did with The Suicide Squad and Guardians of the Galaxy.
DC’s Previous Lost Supervillain Team-Up Movie Explained
A Legion Of Doom Movie Was Teased
The idea of a DC supervillain team-up movie isn’t new. Back in the days of the DCEU there were plans to introduce a group of villains that would rival the Justice League in power and menace. In the post-credits scene of 2017’s Justice League, Lex Luthor escapes from Arkham Asylum and meets Slade Wilson, aka Deathstroke, on a yacht. Their conversation teased the formation of a new team, with Luthor hinting at creating “a league of our own,” which many fans interpreted as the beginning of the Legion of Doom.
Unfortunately, the film’s lackluster performance at the box office and the subsequent behind-the-scenes shake-ups at Warner Bros. meant that this Legion of Doom movie was never fully developed. The tantalizing tease of Deathstroke working alongside Luthor was a missed opportunity for DC to establish a darker, villain-centric storyline. This could have laid the groundwork for a movie that followed villains working toward their own goals, rather than just being foils for the heroes. While the Legion of Doom was never realized, the groundwork for a villainous team-up was clearly there, leaving many disappointed when it was abandoned.
Sony Tried To Make A Sinister Six Movie Several Times
On the Marvel side, Sony has made multiple attempts to create its own villain-centric team-up film, specifically with the Sinister Six. The Sinister Six is a group of Spider-Man’s most dangerous enemies, united by their hatred for the web-slinger. Plans for a Sinister Six movie have been circulating since the days of The Amazing Spider-Man series. After The Amazing Spider-Man 2 introduced various villains and hinted at the formation of the Sinister Six, Sony announced that a standalone movie focusing on the villainous group was in development.
However, this project was scrapped after the Amazing Spider-Man franchise was rebooted, and Sony made a deal with Marvel Studios to integrate Spider-Man into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The dream of a Sinister Six movie hasn’t died, though. Sony continues to develop its own Spider-Man Universe (SSU), introducing individual villain-focused films like Venom, Morbius, and the upcoming Kraven the Hunter.
There’s a strong possibility that these movies are laying the groundwork for a Sinister Six movie, but the major issue Sony faces is the lack of a consistent, unified vision for the universe. Without a clear Spider-Man figure in their universe, it’s difficult to imagine a Sinister Six movie that feels cohesive or meaningful. Additionally, the struggles of the SSU films to perform at the box office cast doubt on whether Sony will be able to pull off this ambitious team-up.
Why A DC Secret Six Movie Seems Likely To Release Sooner Than A Sinister Six Movie
When comparing the two, it seems far more likely that DC will manage to release a Secret Six movie before Marvel’s Sinister Six project ever gets off the ground. James Gunn’s DCU is already prioritizing obscure or less mainstream characters, as seen with The Suicide Squad and Peacemaker, and the Secret Six fits perfectly into Gunn’s storytelling wheelhouse. He excels at bringing unlikely characters together and exploring their complicated relationships, making him the ideal person to oversee a Secret Six movie.
Meanwhile, Sony’s Sinister Six plans seem to be stuck in development limbo. While the SSU films have introduced several key members of the Sinister Six, they’ve yet to convincingly tie these characters together in a way that could lead to a team-up. Plus, the SSU’s track record has been shaky at best, with films like Morbius being critically panned and financially underwhelming. Unless Sony can dramatically improve the quality and coherence of its universe, a Sinister Six movie seems like a far-off dream.
In contrast, a Secret Six movie would allow the DCU to continue its focus on villain-centric narratives without needing to rely on the more traditional hero-vs-villain dynamic. It could also follow a trend that has worked well for Gunn in the past, which is to highlight lesser-known characters who, when united, create an unexpected and interesting team dynamic. By combining intriguing characters like Bane and Deathstroke, along with a focus on a more grounded and emotionally driven story, the DCU has a real chance to achieve what Marvel’s Sinister Six and the DCEU’s Legion of Doom could not.