DCU’s New Project Could Finally Deliver the Supervillain Team-Up Both Marvel and DC Have Teased for Years
A major announcement by the DC Universe (DCU) could finally bring to life a concept that both Marvel and DC have been hinting at for years. With James Gunn and Peter Safran at the helm of the revamped DCU, their ambitious new slate of projects has ignited speculation and excitement across the fanbase. One such project is a film focused on two of Batman’s most iconic villains—Bane and Deathstroke. This could mark a significant development in DC’s cinematic storytelling and may signal the arrival of something that has long eluded both comic book powerhouses: a successful supervillain team-up film.
The DCU’s Villain-Centric Projects Are Gaining Traction
The DCU is already rolling out with highly anticipated films like Superman: Legacy and Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, giving fans plenty to look forward to. However, one of the most intriguing announcements is the buzz surrounding a project centered on Bane and Deathstroke. This has fueled rumors that DCU Chapter 1 could pave the way for a Secret Six movie—something both Marvel and DC have struggled to execute in the past.
A Secret Six film would give the DCU the chance to create a villain-centric narrative that could compete with Marvel’s stalled Sinister Six project. If done right, this could deliver a dream team-up that fans of both universes have been waiting for.
The Secret Six: DC’s Most Prominent Villain Team
One of the most exciting theories about the future of the DCU is the potential for a Secret Six movie. In DC Comics, the Secret Six is a notorious team of supervillains, often taking on morally ambiguous missions for profit or vengeance. The team’s roster has evolved over time, but one of its most iconic lineups includes Bane and Deathstroke—two villains now poised for their big-screen revival.
Unlike straightforward villains like those in the Legion of Doom, the Secret Six operate in a grey area between heroism and villainy. This offers a fresh angle for a DC film, allowing the characters to be more than just foils for heroes. A story focused on the Secret Six would allow for a deeper exploration of their motivations, traumas, and complex personalities, fitting with James Gunn’s knack for character-driven narratives, as seen in The Suicide Squad and Guardians of the Galaxy.
Bane and Deathstroke Could Lead DC’s Next Big Villain Team
The potential inclusion of Bane and Deathstroke in the Secret Six is particularly exciting for DC fans. These two villains are among the most strategic and physically imposing figures in the DC universe, and bringing them together could make for an intense, gritty film. Their team-up would offer an opportunity to delve into their psyches, motivations, and the moral ambiguity that defines the Secret Six.
James Gunn has proven his ability to handle anti-heroes and flawed characters with depth and complexity. A Secret Six movie would allow Gunn to build on that approach, offering a fresh and exciting take on the supervillain team-up genre.
Past Attempts at Supervillain Team-Ups: DC and Marvel’s Struggles
DC has previously teased the idea of a supervillain team-up. After the 2017 Justice League movie, a post-credits scene showed Lex Luthor meeting Deathstroke aboard a yacht, hinting at the creation of the Legion of Doom. However, the underwhelming box-office performance of Justice League and subsequent changes at Warner Bros. meant this idea never saw the light of day. Many fans were left disappointed when the promising Legion of Doom storyline was abandoned.
Similarly, Marvel has faced its own struggles in bringing a supervillain team to the big screen. Sony has been trying to develop a Sinister Six movie for years, with plans going as far back as the Amazing Spider-Man franchise. Despite laying the groundwork for the Sinister Six, the project was repeatedly delayed, and the cinematic reboot of Spider-Man meant those plans were scrapped.
Even after launching villain-centric films like Venom and Morbius, Sony’s attempts to build a coherent Spider-Man Villain Universe (SSU) have faced critical and financial challenges. Without a clear Spider-Man figure or cohesive narrative, the chances of a Sinister Six movie being successfully realized seem slim.
Why a DCU Secret Six Movie Is More Likely to Happen Before a Sinister Six Film
When comparing the two, it seems far more likely that DC will release a Secret Six movie before Marvel manages to get the Sinister Six off the ground. James Gunn’s track record of elevating less mainstream characters into cinematic success stories makes him the perfect candidate to spearhead a Secret Six project. His unique storytelling, which focuses on the complexity and emotional depth of underdog characters, aligns perfectly with what a Secret Six film could achieve.
On the other hand, Sony’s Sinister Six project remains in development limbo, with no clear path forward. The standalone villain films in the SSU have been inconsistent at best, leaving the franchise without the momentum needed to launch a successful team-up movie. Unless Sony can significantly improve its narrative direction, the Sinister Six movie may continue to be an unrealized dream.
A Secret Six movie, however, could offer DC a chance to tell a villain-centric story that doesn’t rely on the conventional hero-versus-villain trope. By focusing on the dynamics of flawed, morally ambiguous characters like Bane and Deathstroke, the DCU has a real opportunity to deliver a fresh and compelling storyline that resonates with audiences, where both Marvel and the old DCEU have fallen short.