James Gunn’s DCU Reverses Course, Brings Back Snyderverse Mainstay

by

James Gunn’s new DC Universe (DCU) is reconnecting with a significant character from the previous DC film series, known as the Snyderverse, for the upcoming Supergirl movie. While DC Studios and Gunn have largely rebooted the universe originally created by Zack Snyder, they’re not completely abandoning everything from the past. Actors like John Cena, Jason Momoa, Viola Davis, and Joel Kinnaman are already returning in new or continuing roles, and Gunn has indicated he’s willing to bring back even more familiar faces from the Snyderverse.

DC Studios’ official Supergirl website announced that Tom Holkenborg, known professionally as Junkie XL, is composing the music for the upcoming film. This will be Holkenborg’s third time scoring a DC movie, and his first since Zack Snyder’s Justice League in 2021.

Junkie XL initially collaborated with Hans Zimmer on the music for Man of Steel. They then co-composed the score for Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. Junkie XL was later brought back to work on Justice League by himself, but was replaced by Danny Elfman (who previously worked on Batman) when Zack Snyder left the film. However, Junkie XL was rehired to create music for Snyder’s 2021 director’s cut released on HBO Max.

A change in composers has occurred for the show Supergirl. While Ramin Djawadi, known for his work on Iron Man and Game of Thrones, was initially credited with the music in the teaser trailer’s YouTube description in December, he’s no longer listed.

This isn’t the first time DC Studios has changed composers late in the game. James Gunn previously brought David Fleming on board to collaborate with John Murphy on the score for the upcoming Superman film, and this pattern seems to be becoming a trend for the Man of Steel, though it hasn’t negatively impacted the larger DC Universe epic.

Junkie XL is a great fit to score music for both Lobo and the DCU’s version of Supergirl. His powerful, rock-inspired work on Mad Max: Fury Road, along with his previous experience composing for DC films in the Snyderverse, uniquely qualifies him for these anti-hero characters.

Zack Snyder’s DC movies are well-known for their powerful and sweeping musical scores. Many fans and critics agree that the music significantly enhanced the epic and mythical feel of the planned, but ultimately unfinished, film series.

Junkie XL, known for his work on Zack Snyder’s films, isn’t the only familiar face joining the new Supergirl movie. Jason Momoa, who previously played Aquaman, will be stepping into the role of Lobo. The film will also star Milly Alcock as Supergirl, Eve Ridley as Ruthye Marye Knoll, Matthias Schoenaerts as Krem of the Yellow Hills, and David Corenswet as Superman.

Could Zack Snyder Ever Return to DC?

Many DC fans still strongly prefer Zack Snyder as the creative lead and want James Gunn removed from the position. Interestingly, despite their differing roles now, the two directors are actually friends. In fact, James Gunn wrote the script for the 2004 film Dawn of the Dead, which Snyder directed.

With Jason Momoa and Junkie XL back working on DC projects, fans are speculating if James Gunn might eventually find a place for Zack Snyder within the DC Universe. A project like The Authority would be a great fit for Snyder’s style, or many would be thrilled to see his original vision for the DC Universe finished as an animated ‘Elseworlds’ story.

The director is currently finishing up his new war thriller, The Last Photograph. DC Studios, meanwhile, is planning its 2026 projects, including Supergirl, Lanterns, and Clayface. Despite their busy schedules, fans are still hoping the two directors might work together on a DC project in the future.

Read More

2026-02-07 01:35