When James Gunn and Peter Safran took the reins at DC Studios, the prevailing sentiment was a clear break from the often-chaotic continuity of the DCEU. Their 'Gods and Monsters' chapter was envisioned as a fresh start, with projects like Creature Commandos, Superman, Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, and Lanterns leading the charge. However, recent statements from Gunn suggest that the line between the old and new universes might be more permeable than anticipated.

Gunn, known for his candidness on social media and in interviews, has expressed interest in bringing back several familiar faces. While it was already known that his Peacemaker series, starring John Cena, would continue in the new DCU, Gunn recently went further. He has vocalized a desire for Margot Robbie to reprise her role as Harley Quinn and, crucially, confirmed his hopes of re-enlisting Idris Elba and Viola Davis from his own The Suicide Squad.

Speaking on The Suicide Squad: Is It Canon? podcast, Gunn addressed the potential return of these actors. He shared that Viola Davis is keen to continue as Amanda Waller, a role she has played across multiple DCEU projects. A standalone Waller series was in development, though it was paused. Gunn clarified, "Viola would like to continue. We were actively developing a Waller series, but never greenlit it because it wasn't at the level we wanted." He added that this doesn't mean the project is entirely off the table.

The prospect of Idris Elba's return as Bloodsport is particularly intriguing. Gunn stated, "I love Bloodsport and working with Idris. I'd like to see him return as Bloodsport, or even in another role." This opens the door to actors playing different characters within the DCU, a path already taken by Jason Momoa, who portrayed Aquaman in the DCEU and is now slated to play Lobo in the new universe. Gunn also revealed that Elba had been considered for Deathstroke, a role previously played by Joe Manganiello, before they settled on Bloodsport.

A significant element of this selective continuity is Gunn's decision to declare the events of The Suicide Squad as canon within the new DCU. This means everything from Rick Flag's demise to the battle with Starro officially occurred. This acceptance of past events extends to Bloodsport's comic-accurate backstory of having shot Superman with a kryptonite bullet – an event that hasn't explicitly unfolded in the new DCU's timeline. Regarding this potential inconsistency, Gunn was unfazed, stating, "It doesn't bother me. I think it could have very well happened that way."

This approach creates a unique landscape for the DCU. Beyond Peacemaker, other characters like Xolo Maridueña's Blue Beetle are expected to be integrated into the upcoming Superman film. While the DCU aims for a cohesive narrative, the existence of the 'Elseworlds' label for standalone projects like Robert Pattinson's The Batman ensures that some stories remain distinctly separate. However, the blending of the DCEU and DCU within the main continuity raises concerns among some fans, who worry that this selective integration could lead to the very kind of multiversal confusion that has plagued rival cinematic universes.

Ultimately, James Gunn's vision for the DCU appears to be one of strategic cherry-picking, aiming to preserve beloved elements and talent while forging a new path. The challenge will be to maintain narrative clarity amidst these deliberate inconsistencies.