James Gunn’s much-awaited Superman film has officially kicked off the new DC Universe (DCU), and it’s already packed with hidden gems that have fans digging deep. The movie, which currently boasts an 83% Certified Fresh rating, features David Corenswet stepping into the cape alongside Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane and Nicholas Hoult bringing Lex Luthor to life.
The Hall of Justice Mural: More Than Meets the Eye
Among the film’s most captivating Easter eggs sits a mural tucked away in the Hall of Justice’s rotunda. This artwork features several deep-cut characters, including Kent Nelson (Doctor Fate), Ted Grant (Wildcat), and a mystery Speedster. What’s particularly fascinating? These heroes typically roll with the Justice Society of America (JSA) crowd rather than the Justice League, which could be dropping some serious hints about where Gunn’s DCU is headed.
During a chat with Rolling Stone, Gunn made it clear that this wasn’t just random artwork thrown together. “Oh, there was a ton of thought put into it. A ton of thought,” he emphasized, suggesting this mural might be more roadmap than decoration.
Will These Characters Actually Show Up?
Naturally, fans have been going wild trying to figure out which of these mural characters might actually make it to the big screen. When pressed about whether we’d see all of them eventually, Gunn kept things refreshingly honest:
“Not necessarily specifically see all of them, but yes, some of them we already have in the works in different things in different ways.”
So while we shouldn’t expect every single character to get their moment in the spotlight, some are clearly already on Gunn’s development slate.
JSA’s Screen Legacy and the Fancasting Frenzy
The JSA isn’t exactly new to live-action adaptations. Many millennials first encountered these heroes through Tom Welling’s Smallville, while others caught glimpses of certain members during Season 2 of DC’s Legends of Tomorrow.
Gunn’s confirmation that Doctor Fate appears on the mural has sparked intense speculation, particularly around whether Pierce Brosnan might return after playing the character in Gunn’s Peacemaker. This revelation has unleashed a massive wave of fan casting across social platforms. Enthusiasts have been throwing around suggestions like Christopher Meloni (Law & Order: Organized Crime) and Alan Ritchson (Reacher) for Ted Grant/Wildcat.
Gunn has actually acknowledged the Ritchson buzz, commenting: “I am a big Alan Ritchson fan, both as an actor and as a guy… let’s just wait to see what happens.”
The Road Ahead for These Characters
While the mural has certainly gotten fans’ imaginations running wild, Gunn and his team are keeping their cards close to their chest regarding specific timelines and appearances. The artwork works brilliantly as a tantalizing preview, leaving audiences hungry for more details about how the DCU will continue to evolve.
Superman is currently playing in theaters nationwide. Keep watching for more developments as the DCU continues to unfold.
