With the DCEU being wrapped up as a mostly failed experiment, fans are cautiously awaiting the arrival of James Gunn’sSupermanand the proper start of the rebooted DC cinematic universe, now dubbed the DCU. Though projects likeCreature Commandoshave already technically started the new shared universe, the live-action debut ofDavid Corenswet’s take on everyone’s favorite Kryptonianis what most people are waiting on.
It’s a very exciting time to be a DC fan, with Gunn’s ambitious plans for theDCUafterSupermanextending to all forms of media; movies, television, and yes, even video games. And while there haven’t been any hard and fast plans for any direct DCU gaming ventures, there’s still plenty of room for the universe to expand into the realm of gaming without conflicting with the canonicity of any installments the universe may be getting in days to come.
James Gunn’s DCU is the Perfect Material For Lego Games
The DCU is a perfect fit for LEGO game adaptations. For one, the skeleton of a DCU game is already right there. Titles like theLEGO Batmanfranchise andits spinoffLEGO DC Super-Villainshave already brought these characters into the LEGO world with their own models, powersets, and abilities. All that’s left is to use them in adaptations of the forthcoming DCU stories. WithSupermanon the horizon and projects like a Green Lantern show and a new Batman soon to follow, developers at TT Games won’t have any shortage of material to pull from.
What makes the DCU such an inspired fit for a LEGO game adaptation comes directly from the storytelling preferences of the one and only James Gunn himself. It’s no secret that Gunn is a huge fan of deep cuts, whether in his outstanding soundtrack choices or his seemingly out-there character picks. From as early as the firstGuardians of the Galaxy, Gunn has been taking lesser-known or even unknown characters and turning them into household names via prominent roles in his movies. It might be hard for younger fans to remember now, butoddballs like Mantis and Rocket Raccoonwere virtual nobodies before Gunn fleshed them out and made them the beloved characters they are today.
Similarly,LEGO games have thrived on massive character rostersthat almost invariably include strange picks from the depths of the source material’s lore.Lego Star Warsfans all remember first discovering and playing as the useless but effortlessly loveable Gonk droid; a character from the more obscure parts ofStar Warslore that’s become a fan favorite through its appearances in games. Gunn’s own inclination towards including these obscure and lesser-known characters in his projects means they’d all be right at home in LEGO games.
Supermanalone is poised to include the likes of Mr. Terrific, Hawkgirl, and Guy Gardener’s Green Lantern. While these names may be familiar to comic book diehards, they’re still very alien to general audiences, which gives Telltale Games an excellent opportunity to endear them to fans by putting them in a game adapting the first few DCU projects, much in thesame way the MCU did withLEGO Marvel’s Avengers.
How Will More Adult-Rated DCU Projects Fit in LEGO Games?
Gunn’s dedication to keeping the DCU varied in tonemight seem like a roadblock to the prospect of a DCU LEGO game, but this might not be the case. LEGO adaptations of the universe’s more adult properties likePeacemakerandCreature Commandosmight seem like a little too much for the more family-friendly game series, but plenty can be done to incorporate those characters and stories into a LEGO game.
With clever storytelling and some light content moderation, LEGO games have touched on plenty of dark or adult material in the past; Order 66 inLEGO Star Wars, nazis inLEGO Indiana Jones, and the nightmarish existence of Davy Jones and the Flying Dutchmen’s crew inLEGO Pirates of the Caribbean. If the developers can handle mature themes in other properties with lighthearted comedy, they can no doubt do the same with a show likePeacemaker—a series that already treats its violence and mature themes with a tongue-in-cheek sense of humor.
