DCU’s Maxwell Lord: A Hero? A Villain?

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After appearing for the first time as live-action characters in “Wonder Woman 1984”, I’m eagerly waiting to see how the DC Universe reimagines the recently confirmed Superman character. Previous reports and rumors have suggested that Sean Gunn, brother of director James Gunn, will be part of the upcoming Superman film, possibly playing Maxwell Lord. Now, it’s officially confirmed by the actor himself, and his recent statements have got me quite excited about the version of Maxwell Lord we can expect in the DC Universe.

Previously, Pedro Pascal portrayed Maxwell Lord for a single appearance on screen back in 2020. This character was a TV personality and an oil tycoon from the 80s who gained control of the Dreamstone. Nevertheless, it’s clear that Sean Gunn’s incarnation of Maxwell Lord will differ significantly from Pascal’s version in Superman, and there’s a strong chance he may not act as a villain at all within today’s DC Universe.

The DCU’s Maxwell Lord Is Set To “Kinda” Be In Superman

His Presence May Be Felt Through Other DCU Characters

At Northern Fancon, Sean Gunn revealed some insights about his role as Maxwell Lord in the upcoming DCU film, stating that he was “somewhat” included in the movie. Furthermore, he and James Gunn examined certain elements from DC Comics for creating this new adaptation of Maxwell Lord, though he declined to disclose these details before the movie’s release in July. However, trailers and a more extensive cast for Superman offer hints about the character.

In David Corenswet’s upcoming movie, Superman won’t stand alone; he will be joined by a group of superheroes including Green Lantern (Guy Gardner), Hawkgirl, Mister Terrific, and Metamorpho. Interestingly, each of these characters is seen wearing uniforms branded by LordTech, hinting that the team might resemble the Justice League International in the live-action setting. This setup mirrors the original DC Comics story for Lord (at least until he transforms into a full-fledged DC villain). However, it seems that Gunn’s character, Maxwell, may have limited screen time compared to Superman due to him “kinda” being in the movie. This means his role could be relatively minor, while the other heroes might have more prominent appearances on screen.

Having The DCU Bring Back Maxwell Lord After Wonder Woman 1984 Makes His Return All The More Interesting

We Should Be Getting A Very Different Version of Maxwell Lord

It seems clear that Sean Gunn’s Maxwell Lord, who has played a complex role for both the Justice League and Wonder Woman in the past, will likely take a distinct path compared to Pedro Pascal’s portrayal in Wonder Woman 1984. In the movie, Pedro Pascal’s Maxwell Lord was characterized as a villain with a particular story arc that was deeply connected to the film’s ’80s backdrop. Consequently, his character had limited potential for development or impact within the contemporary DC Extended Universe (DCEU).

It seems that Sean Gunn’s character, Maxwell, could significantly influence the broader DC Universe, particularly if he is indeed leading a team of superheroes in this contemporary era. Although Superman might not formally join Lord’s corporate ranks, it appears he may side with them to tackle some imminent perils. It will be intriguing to discover whether Sean Gunn’s character, Lord, initially shows genuine altruism towards Superman or if there are hidden agendas lurking behind the formation of the DCU’s JLI in the storyline.

Sean Gunn’s Comments About Maxwell Lord’s Return Add Even More Intrigue To The Character’s Story

Will Maxwell Lord Have A Bigger Role Beyond Superman?

It seems possible that Sean Gunn’s character in Superman, Maxwell Lord, might appear more frequently in the DC Universe (DCU) beyond this initial live-action movie. The introduction of the Justice League International (JLI) in Superman could be a prelude to a larger storyline where Gunn’s version of these characters gradually transforms into a supervillain. This transformation might even coincide with the anticipated debut of Wonder Woman in the DCU at some point in the future. In any case, fans of the DCU should prepare for a markedly different portrayal of Maxwell Lord by Sean Gunn compared to Pedro Pascal’s version. The comparison between these two interpretations will be intriguing when Superman is released this Summer.

Superman releases in theaters on July 11th from DC Studios.

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2025-05-09 08:51