Gunn's Writing Style Would Be Ideal For Justice League International/SuperBuddies

DC Comics was in an odd position in 1987 following the Crisis On Infinite Earths storyline that reset DC Comics' multiverse, collapsing its multiple alternate Earths into a single shared reality. With a number of big-name creators like J.M. DeMatteis and Keith Giffen tasked with revamping all DC Comics' biggest heroes for the modern age, it was impossible for heroes like Superman, Wonder Woman and The Flash to be included in the monthly Justice League comic. Enter Justice League International, a replacement for the Justice League established as a United Nations-sponsored superhero team.

With artist Kevin Maguire on board, the series continued to pit the World's Finest heroes against world-threatening menaces, while also satirizing the politics of the time and superheroes in general. This included pitting the overly macho Guy Gardner against outspoken feminists like Power Girl, various get-rich-quick schemes enacted by corporate crusader Booster Gold, and Martian Manhunter developing an addiction to Oreos. Years later, I Can't Believe It's Not The Justice League revived the concept, with several JLI forming a new team called the Super Buddies, which operated out of a suburban strip-mall.

Peacemaker explored similar territory, right down to having its squad of misfits working out of an abandoned video store. Gunn has also built his brand on stories of oddballs and outcasts tasked with doing the impossible while fighting their own limitations and their teammates, as in the independent superhero comedy The Specials. Furthermore, his clear aptitude for satirizing the superhero subgenre, as evidenced by both Peacemaker, Guardians of the Galaxy, and The Suicide Squad, shows that tongue-in-cheek takes on popular established tropes are an essential part of his wheelhouse. All this makes Gunn the perfect person to make a Justice League International spinoff.

Related: Peacemaker's Worst Helmet Has A Deeper Meaning Than You Realized

Gunn Already Has The Blessing of JLI's Creators

While there are some vocal viewers online who don't want to see James Gunn producing more material for the DCEU, he has attracted two rather notable defenders. Writer J.M. DeMatteis voiced his enjoyment of Gunn's work on James Gunn's future with the DCEU, it does speak to Gunn's talents that he can impress two legendary creators and leave them wanting to see him adapt their characters for the big screen.

JLI Would Be The Perfect Place For Martian Manhunter

One point in favor of a Justice League International adaptation apart from Gunn's affinity for the source material is that it would severe as an ideal vehicle for continuing the adventures of the Martian Manhunter in the DCEU. One of the founding of the Justice League of America in the classic Justice League comics, J'onn J'onzz remains a relatively obscure character outside of the comic book reading community, despite having been part of the core cast of Martian Manhunter into the DCEU with his Justice League film, but the canonicity of the scenes featuring Harry Lennix as J'onn J'onzz are in doubt.

Martian Manhunter was a core member of the Justice League International team, largely serving as the straight man to the wilder antics of his teammates. He could hold a similar role in a DCEU adaptation of the Justice League International series, whether or not James Gunn elects to make reference to Zack Snyder's Justice League and utilize the General Calvin Swanwick identity that Snyder created for J'onn J'onzz. One possible scenario is that General Swanwick might be put in charge of overseeing a new government-sponsored team, with or without the cooperation of the established Justice League, allowing the Martian Manhunter to reveal his true nature to his teammates. This seems a likely prospect, given the chaos that would likely result from the Suicide Squad being shut down following the Peacemaker season 1 finale and the need for some kind of government-sponsored superhero team to recapture the public's trust.

Jennifer Holland Would Be A Perfect JLI Black Canary

Kevin Maguire made multiple Black Canaries in the Arrowverse and Gunn's habit of recasting the same actors in his films, Warner Bros. would likely avoid risking the possibility that Holland's playing Black Canary would confuse casual fans, no matter how well suited she is for the part. Despite this, James Gunn would still be an ideal writer/director for a JLI movie.

More: James Gunn Points Out The Stupidest Thing About The Batmobile