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DC’s Thanos: 6 Villains to Rule the Gods & Monsters Phase

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As a movie enthusiast, I’m excitedly anticipating James Gunn’s vision for the DC Universe, marking a fresh chapter in DC Comics’ cinematic journey. Although he’s starting small at the moment, it’s clear that his grand narrative involving super-powered Gods and Monsters will need a formidable adversary, akin to Thanos, to unite these characters and create an epic storyline of cosmic proportions.

The duration and number of projects in DCU’s initial stage remain uncertain, however, it seems plausible that this phase is building towards something significant. Some even propose that the assembling of the Justice League might mark the conclusion of this initial phase.

If Gunn plans to assemble characters such as Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman on-screen, he’ll require a challenge significant enough for them to join forces instead of facing it individually, similar to Thanos in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Fortunately, DC Comics boasts a wealth of adversaries fitting for the Justice League that could translate flawlessly onto the big screen.

6 Villains That Could Be the Perfect DCU Answer to Thanos

Lex Luthor

A plausible and likely solution to the DCU Phase One Thanos dilemma could be Lex Luthor. With his megalomaniacal and genius mind, Luthor harbors intense envy towards Metahumans who grab the limelight when he believes the attention should rightfully belong to him.

As a die-hard cinema enthusiast, I find it intriguing that Luthor is shaping up as the main antagonist for the Gods & Monsters universe, given his established presence in the DC Universe and his significant role in its debut film, Superman. The talented Nicholas Hoult, who graced our screens with his performance in X-Men: First Class, will bring this character to life in James Gunn’s inaugural movie for the DCU, offering audiences a fresh perspective on this iconic figure.

It’s surprising that Lex might lose and be written off after just one film within the superhero saga. But, there’s a chance he could return with a vengeance, becoming the primary antagonist for the initial phase of the DC Universe storyline. Perhaps he’ll even gather his villainous allies to form the infamous Legion of Doom in future installments, a group notorious for causing trouble for the Justice League in the comics.

Darkseid

In terms of appearance and narrative role, Darkseid is virtually identical to Thanos within the context of DC comics. This character made a recent appearance in Zack Snyder’s DCEU, acting as the principal antagonist in the associated narrative.

Darkseid stands as an overpowering, deity-like character, infamous for his ruthless reign over the planet Apokolips. In many ways, he shares similarities with Thanos, but his intentions are undeniably malevolent. His ultimate objective, unlike Thanos, spans across the universe and is marked by an intention to enslave the DC Multiverse. This ambition involves manipulating the Anti-Life Equation to strip all realities of hope and autonomy, leaving no room for freedom or choice.

Darkseid could make his debut at this stage, which might appear a tad intense given our current progress. However, he could fill a role similar to Thanos in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) during Phase One. For now, another villain may serve as the primary antagonist, but later it’s suggested that they were acting under Darkseid’s orders all along, paving the way for his eventual appearance at a later stage.

Doomsday

Amongst the legendary DC villains, Doomsday stands out as one of the most recognized, thus positioning himself as a strong contender for the role of the main antagonist in the DC Universe (DCU).

In comic books, Doomsday is famously recognized as the lethal creature who ended Superman’s life. This genetically engineered Kryptonian behemoth harbors hate and a destructive instinct. Previously glimpsed in the DCEU, Doomsday could potentially make an appearance in James Gunn’s reboot if he were to claim Superman’s life once more.

Introducing him to the team prematurely and positioning him as a menacing adversary throughout the early phases of the DC Universe could provide an engaging twist. This would establish him as a recurring antagonist before ultimately reenacting the “Death and Return of Superman” storyline in multiple stages over several Phases later on.

Krona

In other words, a formidable villain from DC Comics who hasn’t yet appeared on the big screen is Krona, a character you might recognize from the animated “Green Lantern: Emerald Knights.” Krona plays a significant role in both Justice League and DC stories, being responsible for setting off events that ultimately led to the creation of the DC Multiverse as depicted in the comics.

The character hails from planet Krona and is fanatically determined to explore the origins of our entire cosmos. Aware that this revelation could trigger a catastrophic chain reaction throughout the universe, Krona continues his quest, constructing a device to aid him in his pursuit. Unfortunately, during the process, he accidentally exceeds the limits of reality, giving birth to the DC Multiverse.

Without any signs that the Multiverse will be part of the DC Universe immediately, introducing Krona as a persistent menace might serve as a method for James Gunn to gradually seed the concept of multiple realities among his DC characters. This way, he could give them a foe who is actively involved in their creation.

Parallax

Although several antagonists on this list share a link to Superman, given that he debuted in the initial movie of the DC Universe, another sector of the DC world is set to be explored by James Gunn’s new universe during its early stages – specifically, the Green Lanterns.

Given the context, it seems logical to cast Parallax as the main antagonist for the Gods & Monsters tale. This is because Parallax holds immense cosmic energy, functioning as one of the Green Lanterns’ toughest adversaries, being the power source of the Sinestro Corps.

With actor Ulrich Thomsen, known for his Adam’s Apple feature, cast as Sinestro in “Lanterns”, it presents an opportunity to emphasize the cosmic aspect of the DC tale and expand upon the space-oriented foundation established by the forthcoming HBO superhero show, considering Sinestro’s role as a potential major antagonist.

Brainiac

One well-known adversary of DC Comics, particularly Superman, is the cunning Brainiac – a villain renowned for his intelligence and technological prowess. This formidable foe has repeatedly clashed with DC’s finest heroes, playing a pivotal role in numerous influential comic book tales.

The character hails from planet Colu and is on a mission to amass all knowledge across the known universe. To achieve this goal, he stores planets, locations, and items he dominates inside small glass containers scattered throughout his spaceship as keepsakes. This behavior doesn’t sit well with the heroes of the DC Universe, particularly when it involves Earth.

There has been speculation that Brainiac might secretly be portrayed as a villain in James Gunn’s Superman, positioning him as a formidable future adversary for the Man of Steel (as well as possibly other characters) within the DC Universe.

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2025-06-21 19:35

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