Summary

• DCU's upcoming releases focus on lesser-known characters, but iconic figures like Superman and Batman will still play central roles.
• Aquaman's absence from the DCU slate highlights missed opportunities, as the character has a proven track record of box office success.
• While Aquaman's future in the DCU remains uncertain, his popularity and potential for a Justice League adaptation make his inclusion essential.

If DC's most successful box office is anything to go by, one hero is missing from the DCU's release slate that needs to be included. The DCU is poised to kick off with 2025's Superman, starring David Corenswet in the eponymous role, and is currently the only DCU movie with a concrete release date. Many future DCU releases will star lesser-known characters from the DC mythos, including Booster Gold and The Authority, but many of DC's most famous faces, like Superman and Batman, are still set to play central roles.

The reboot of both these characters will add to a vast back catalog of movies spanning several franchises each. This isn't surprising given that both are proven cash cows, with the DCEU's Batman v Superman being the second-highest-grossing movie of the cinematic franchise. What is more surprising, however, is that the DCU has yet to feature the eponymous star of the DCEU's highest-grossing movie - Aquaman.

Aquaman Has DC's Highest Movie Box Office Of All Time

With a worldwide gross of $1.1 billion, 2018's Aquaman is not just the highest-grossing movie in the DCEU but the highest-grossing DC movie of all time. Several factors contributed to Aquaman's success, including the fact it was released at the height of superhero mania (Avengers: Infinity War was released in the same year) and a solid marketing campaign in the lead-up to its release. Most important, however, was the fact that it was a great movie that resonated with fans - and the charisma and overall appeal of its leading man can't be overlooked.

Whether it was because comic book movie fans were eager to see an understated superhero in their own solo movie or whether Aquaman made such a great impression in his Justice League debut, Aquaman proved that the DC hero has legs. Aquaman isn't the only Justice League member to be omitted from the DCU release slate, however, as Cyborg and the Flash are also notably absent. The fact that these characters specifically have not yet been announced for the DCU's first chapter, however, gives a hint at DC's reasoning - and it makes sense.

Why The DCU Was Right To Not Announce Aquaman For Now

The DCU reboot was announced before the DCEU had wrapped up, meaning that 2023 was filled with DCEU movies that would no longer comprise part of a wider narrative. Within 2023's release slate was The Flash and Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, with the latter being the DCEU's final-ever movie. These were unsurprisingly incapable of emulating Aquaman's success as the DCU rendered them impertinent, but their release in the wake of the DCU's announcement made announcing an Aquaman reboot alongside other confirmed projects untenable.

This doesn't mean that the DCU will not feature solo outings for other Justice League members down the line, either within Chapter One: Gods and Monsters or the next DCU chapter. A Justice League movie is also yet to be announced, though it will presumably be part of the DC Studios vision. It would be remiss of the studio to not capitalize on Aquaman's popularity in the meantime, however.

Why The DCU Still Needs Aquaman

Aquaman's proven ability to pull crowds is something the DCU will want to lean into as it makes its second attempt at a cinematic franchise to rival the MCU. While Jason Momoa will not reprise his role in the DCU (though he is rumored instead to be portraying the DCU's Lobo), excellent casting decisions so far offer a positive sign for Aquaman's DCU future. As he is often the butt of many jokes, there is plenty of room for James Gunn and the DCU to explore a compelling underdog story while leaning into the humor typical of Gunn's superhero movies.

Aside from that, the DCU will be precluding itself from a Justice League adaptation without introducing one of its founding members either beforehand or within the movie itself, as the DCEU did. While a Justice League movie has not yet been announced, its practically certain that the DCU will want to capitalize on the shared universe by adapting its most iconic team. The DCEU and Jason Momoa have helped to prove that Aquaman is capable of rivaling the popularity of DC's more well-established figureheads, so it makes sense to have him debut in the DCU alongside their reboots.