Speaking to the press in February 2025, DC's releases.

Deadpool's Almost $3 Billion Box Office Success Shows The Potential Of DC Taking A Similar Approach

Deadpool Rose From A Niche Hero To One Of The Most Popular In The World

Adapting Wade Wilson worked out incredibly well for both Fox and Marvel, with the Deadpool trilogy making way more than they cost. With this in mind, it makes sense that DC would look to make movies based on slightly-less well-known characters in a way that would bring them to the forefront of the cultural consciousness. Deadpool was not as well-known as other Marvel comic book heroes like Captain America and the Hulk, but the character's humor and heart translated well on the big-screen, launching his popularity into the stratosphere.

James Gunn has shown an aptitude in taking other fan-favorite but slightly less well-known characters and turning them into beloved icons. Balancing popular and obscure characters in the DCU seems to be the priority for the franchise, as is exemplified by both Creature Commandos and Superman launching so close together as the DC Universe's releases. I believe this is the right move, and with the right characters, DC can surely have some characters break through in a similar way to Deadpool. One character in particular seems perfect to fit this bill.

James Gunn's 2025 Comments Explain How Lobo Is Like Deadpool

Gunn Opened Up About Lobo At A Recent Event

Lobo will be entering the DC Universe in Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, with Jason Momoa playing his dream DC role. Based on the source material, and recent comments from James Gunn, it seems that Lobo has the potential to fulfill a similar role to Deadpool's in the DC Universe. This is promising, especially as it shows a genuine appreciation for the Lobo character, and expresses big plans to see him in the future. Lobo is brash, comedic, violent, and even scary in ways that could be very refreshing.

When asked if Momoa's clear ion for Lobo influenced the powerful DC character's inclusion in the DCU at the recent February 2025 DC press event, Gunn answered: "No, I always wanted it," before comparing the character to Deadpool. He explained that most audiences had no idea who Deadpool was before his first titular film was made, but comic book fans knew how significant he was, and knew what great success the character could have in a movie. Gunn went on about how not just Lobo, but other DC characters could fulfill similar roles in the DCU:

Lobo's one of those characters. Deathstroke is one of those characters. Those are characters that have a lot of people behind them who love them but aren't known by the general public in the way Wonder Woman or Superman or Batman is. So, Lobo is always something I wanted to play with in the DCU.

Jason Momoa's Lobo Has Real Potential To Work As The DCU's Equivalent Of The MCU's Deadpool

Lobo Could Fulfill A Unique Role In The DCU

Bringing in underappreciated characters to the DCU is important both for fans of the comics, and for the longevity of the universe. While audiences still have great affection for heroes like Batman and Superman, it is important that the franchise expand that roster with other notable heroes and villains. Especially with Jason Momoa playing the DC antihero, Lobo has the potential to steal the show in Supergirl: Woman Of Tomorrow, using the actor's natural charm and charisma combined with the long-running lore of DC Comics.

Lobo, like Deadpool, satirized ultraviolence in comics. The character was designed to be visually unsettling, and his disposition is ridiculous and outsized, just like Deadpool. Lobo has the opportunity to crack jokes, all while remaining a distinct and scary threat. As a bounty hunter who also has trouble keeping his mouth shut, there is much of Lobo that seems to resemble Deadpool in space - a proposition that could be a lot of fun for the future of the DCU.

I'm excited to see the new DCU take on more obscure characters. There are so many figures from the comics that have not been seen as big enough to handle their own tentpole films, but that has slowly changed in recent years. With so much source material to draw from, and so many incredible heroes and villains to populate this new world, I can't wait to see Lobo in Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow. Alongside characters like Deathstroke and obscure teams like The Authority, Lobo could be a genuine highlight in establishing the new DC Universe.

DC Universe

Created by

Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson

First Film

Man of Steel

First TV Show

Peacemaker

Cast

Xolo Mariduena

Movie(s)

Man of Steel, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Suicide Squad, Wonder Woman, Justice League, Aquaman, Shazam!, Birds of Prey, Wonder Woman 1984, Zack Snyder's Justice League, The Suicide Squad, Black Adam, Shazam! The Fury of the Gods, The Flash, Blue Beetle, Superman, The Brave and the Bold

Character(s)

Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, The Flash, Cyborg, Harley Quinn, The Joker, Shazam, Darkseid, Amanda Waller, Lex Luthor, Doomsday, Deadshot, Deathstroke, Black Canary, Black Adam

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DC Movie Releases

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  Superman

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  Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow

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  The Batman Part II

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