The Justice Society may play a big role in James Gunn’s DC Universe. These are the superheroes we think will join the team’s early lineup.

James Gunn’s new DC Universe may be making the Justice Society of America a headlining superhero team, and there are several options to fill out its members. As the entire cinematic universe of DC characters is rebooted under the new leadership of Peter Safran and James Gunn, the franchise is rebranding key elements of the old DC Extended Universe. Among these changes may be the Justice League itself which, despite including many of DC’s best-known characters, failed to grip audiences with its film in 2017. As such, the franchise’s recent addition of the Justice Society may take the Justice League’s place and sport the greatest cinematic lineup of superheroes that DC has ever seen.

The Justice Society is the Justice League’s counterpart introduced in 2021’s Black Adam. The team, which appears to be run by Amanda Waller (Viola Davis) and ARGUS, was an immediate standout of the otherwise mediocre DCEU film, foreshadowing many future adventures for the Justice Society. The team’s DC Universe future was teased once more in the mid-credits scene of Shazam! Fury of the Gods, which saw its titular character recruited to join the Justice Society’s ranks. While James Gunn’s intentions regarding the Justice Society remain unconfirmed, their roster is already shaping up to be even more impressive than that of the Justice League.

10Hawkman

Hawkman, a.k.a Carter Hall (Aldis Hodge), is a leading figure in the Justice Society of America, as seen during the events of Black Adam. A clear standout upon his DCEU debut, Hodge’s Hawkman must continue in the DCU’s future after the franchise reboot. The character made a strong impression with his first appearance and could prove to be a worthy leader in the Justice Society’s future missions, standing alongside other powerful heroes like himself. Furthermore, Black Adam barely touched on the deep lore of Hawkman’s comic background, which could be more fully developed in future appearances as a part of James Gunn’s DC Universe.

9Cyclone

Cyclone, a.k.a. Maxine Hunkel (Quintessa Swindell), was one of several rookie members of the Justice Society, making her debut alongside the team in Black Adam. Possessing the incredible ability to manipulate wind, Cyclone is a remarkably powerful meta-human who could have a bright future as a part of the DC Universe’s rebooted Justice Society. The character’s tragic backstory, which involved being injected with nanobots as a 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥, makes her a compelling hero worth following in future adventures. Moreover, Swindell’s dynamic choreography depicting the use of Cyclone’s powers makes the character a joy to watch onscreen, inviting a bright future in the rebooted DC franchise.

8Atom Smasher

Noah Centineo’s Albert Rothstein is the second superhero to carry the mantle of Atom Smasher, joining the Justice Society in place of his uncle, Al Pratt (Henry Winkler). Although the character was not as memorable in Black Adam as teammates, he certainly received a promising debut that opens the door for future films to explore Atom Smasher in greater depth. Moreover, DC casting a young and popular rising star like Centineo to play Atom Smasher suggests that the studio had plans to carry on his contributions to the franchise for years to come. As a member of the DCU’s Justice Society, Atom Smasher can fulfill these goals.

7Doctor Fate

In Black Adam, Pierce Brosnan portrayed a senior member of the Justice Society of America, Kent Nelson, otherwise known as Doctor Fate. Although he appears to die at the end of the film, Doctor Fate’s helmet disappears, suggesting that the hero will appear again, either with Brosnan returning to the role or a new face inheriting his mantle. Brosnan’s role seems hand-crafted to set up Doctor Fate’s future in the DCEU, with another younger individual taking up the role after him. Whether that storyline continues into the DCU will remain to be seen, though Doctor Fate would certainly make a fitting member of James Gunn’s new Justice Society.

6Shazam

Shazam! Fury of the Gods‘ post-credit scenes teased the potential of Zachary Levi’s superhero joining the Justice Society in future films after being recruited on behalf of ARGUS by agents Emilia Harcourt (Jennifer Holland) and John Economos (Steve Agee). Although Shazam’s future in the DCU remains uncertain following Fury of the Gods‘ underwhelming box office performance, the character will almost certainly follow through on this tease if he survives the upcoming franchise reboot. This could also lead to the other members of the Shazam family joining the Justice Society’s vast reserve of heroes as well, giving a new direction to the team’s otherwise uncertain DC future.

5Peacemaker

John Cena’s Christopher Smith, a.k.a. Peacemaker, has a chance of joining future iterations of the Justice Society in the DCU. Peacemaker and his team are already working for Amanda Waller, who seems to be involved with the Justice Society in Black Adam, suggesting that the two teams could converge at some point in the future. Furthermore, the studio’s choice to use Emilia Harcourt and John Economos, both characters from the HBO Max Peacemaker series, to promote the Justice Society’s return in Shazam! Fury of the Gods supports the idea that they and Cena’s antihero could continue in the DCU, perhaps as members of the reformed coalition of superheroes.

4Hawkgirl

Hawkgirl has yet to make her debut in the DCEU but could prove to be a vital character in the future of James Gunn’s newly rebooted universe. The introduction of Carter Hall, Hawkman, in Black Adam is a strong indication that future projects were planning to bring Hawkgirl, his superhero partner and love interest. There are very few iterations of Hawkman that don’t include Hawkgirl by his side and vice versa. If Aldis Hodge’s Hawkman appears as a member of the DC Universe’s Justice Society, it is inevitable that he will eventually be joined by Hawkgirl as well, kicking off their long superhero career in the new franchise.

3Booster Gold

One of the most exciting announcements in James Gunn’s DCU slate is a project centered around Booster Gold, a hero wannabe who uses technology from the future to make himself appear more powerful in the present day. Also known as Michael Carter, the 25th-century hero is sure to be a major part of the DC Universe, making him a likely candidate for the franchise’s premiere superhero team. Booster Gold has been a part of certain iterations of both the Justice League and the Justice Society in DC Comics, foreshadowing his bright future among the cinematic counterpart of one or both of these teams in the future.

2Batman

The DCU will set up the Bat Family in The Brave and the Bold, the first appearance of the franchise’s brand-new Batman. While the Dark Knight will certainly be beholden to his own Gotham City-based team of crimefighting vigilantes, he is also destined to join whatever superhero team emerges to lead James Gunn’s DC Universe. As such, it is quite possible that Batman will become one of the Justice Society’s newest members. The Caped Crusader would certainly become a leading member of the JSA, contributing his vast wealth, resources, and technology to their cause, just as he did for the Justice League during their brief reign in the DCEU.

1Superman

Set to be introduced in the DC Universe’s first official film, Superman: Legacy, the Man of Steel is yet another inevitable member of the newly formed Justice Society of America. DC’s headliner team certainly wouldn’t be complete without Superman among its ranks. The Kryptonian superhero has been a part of the JSA in certain iterations of the team in DC Comics history, which paves the way for him to join the team’s live-action counterpart in the coming years. As the leading figure of James Gunn’s new DC Universe, Superman may just be the most important character to join the franchise’s growing superhero society.