I’m So Glad The DC Universe Has Already Brought 1 DC Villain Back From The DCEU In 2025

2025 has already confirmed that one DC villain has been carried over from the DCEU to the DC Universe, and I'm stoked to see them cross the threshold into the franchise's new world. The early weeks of 2025 are providing a bountiful point of time for those invested in the MCU and blossoming DCU, with the DC Universe's Batman getting his first proper cameo on the second day of the year, and Captain America: Brave New World being set to finally bring Sam Wilson's Captain America to the big screen with its February 2025 release.

However, one of the most interesting revelations for 2025 revolves around a character who has traditionally been a villain. With the DC Universe keeping elements from the DCEU timeline, characters transitioning over from the old world isn't unheard of - especially since the first few shows on the DC Universe release schedule are about some of these figures, such as Peacemaker season 2 and the Waller show - but it also doesn't appear to be an extremely common practice. As such, one extra lucky figure making it to the proverbial new water is all the more exciting.

2025 Has Confirmed Another DCEU Character As A Canon Part Of The DC Universe

The DC Universe had already confirmed that large chunks of The Suicide Squad and Peacemaker season 1 would be canon in the DC Universe as of 2024. The first episodes of Creature Commandos immediately made this clear more than once, most crucially via discussing the death of Rick Flag Jr. as well as the idea of Waller facing pressure from the government after her daughter went public with some of her secrets - with these events taking place in the midst of The Suicide Squad and in the finale of Peacemaker season 1 respectively.

It seemed like the ties to prior releases might be left there for the time being - right up until January 9, 2025, wherein it was revealed another key figure in the DCEU was set to carry over alongside the likes of Weasel and Peacemaker. This is because the ending of Creature Commandos episode 7 unveiled none other than King Shark - seemingly the exact same as he was in The Suicide Squad design-wise and characterization wise, albeit voiced by Diedrich Bader instead of Sylvester Stallone.

Interestingly, King Shark appears to be revealed as a part of the new team lineup for the Creature Commandos, having been introduced to the Bride as part of her new prospective Task Force M troops alongside a fixed-up G.I. Robot. Though Nanaue has largely served as a well-intentioned character who simply happens to have a taste for human flesh thus far, bringing this version of the DC comic villain into the franchise presents some interesting opportunities for the road forward.

Why Bringing King Shark Back Is Good For The DC Universe

Since King Shark is largely played off as comic relief in The Suicide Squad, it's easy to forget the movie introduces him by alluding to his origins - namely, that he's thought to be the descendent of a shark god in the film universe, as he indeed is in the comics themselves. Not only does this obviously mean that King Shark is a pretty powerful figure, it also sets up for the DC Universe to be able to expand itself. In the comics, Nanaue has served as an antagonist for Batman, Aquaman, and more - meaning plenty of corners of DCU lore could be opened up by the character should the franchise wish to do so.

King Shark also has notable ties to Superboy, having first appeared in the pages of the 90s Superboy comics.

In a franchise that has long-established heroes, it'd make sense for King Shark to have a long-term history with the figures he's potentially squared up against, or to otherwise have connections to those around them. Combine this with the fact King Shark offers another way to explain how the DC Universe is connected to some DCEU projects like The Suicide Squad - and the fact he's just a fun character in general - and there are plenty of reasons that bringing the DC character into the fold makes a whole lot of sense.

King Shark's DCU Return Has Made Me Even More Excited For Creature Commandos Season 2

With Creature Commandos season 2 confirmed to be on the way, the immediate future for King Shark's DC Universe story seems pretty straightforward, since the new lineup for the team seems to be him, the Bride, Doctor Phosphorus, the updated G.I. Robot, and Weasel, as well as two new additions to the group. Not only does this mean King Shark and Weasel are back on-screen together in the same release following their debuts in The Suicide Squad, it also gives another opportunity for the franchise to shed more light on Nanaue's history, teeing up for more potential DC Universe ties.

DC Universe

Created by: Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson
First Film: Man of Steel
First TV Show: Peacemaker
Cast: Henry Cavill, Ben Affleck, Gal Gadot, Ezra Miller, Ray Fisher, Jason Momoa, Amy Adams, Jesse Eisenberg, Laurence Fishburne, Jeremy Irons, Will Smith, Jared Leto, Margot Robbie, Joel Kinnaman, Viola Davis, Jai Courtney, Jay Hernandez, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Cara Delevingne, Chris Pine, Robin Wright, Zachary Levi, Dwayne Johnson, Amber Heard, Patrick Wilson, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Mark Strong, Asher Angel, Jack Dylan Grazer, Djimon Hounsou, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Jurnee Smollett, Rosie Perez, Ella Jay Basco, Ali Wong, Ewan McGregor, Idris Elba, John Cena, Michael Keaton, George Clooney, 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

The DC Universe is one of the biggest comic book franchises and often competes with Marvel. DC Comics started as National Allied Publications, founded by Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson in 1935. Since then, the franchise has exploded with thousands of comic books, movies, TV shows, and video games. 2013 marked the beginning of the most recent iteration of the superheroes, with Zack Snyder introducing Henry Cavill as Superman. After several movies with mixed reviews, DC underwent a soft reboot under the helm of James Gunn and Peter Safran.