Introduction to Easter Eggs in Blockbuster Franchises
Easter eggs in large blockbuster franchise companies are almost expected. This is clear in James Gunn’s Superman, where things are just starting. The 83% freshly certified film stars David Corenswet as a man made of steel and also features Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor.
The Mural in the Judicial Hall
One of the largest Easter eggs in the film came in the form of a mural in the rotunda of the judicial hall. The mural features characters such as Kent Nelson, alias Doctor Fate, Ted Grant, alias Wildcat, and a speedster, all of whom are usually not seen within the Justice League but in the Justice Society of America. In an interview with Rolling Stone, Gunn explained that the wall painting was not just thrown together and has larger effects when the DCU moves forward.
Future Plans for the Characters
Gunn stated, "Oh, there was a lot of thought. A lot of thought." When asked if fans would see one of the characters discovered in the murals, Gunn replied, "Don’t necessarily see all of them specifically, but yes, we already have some of them in progress in different things in different ways." This has left fans wondering which characters will be featured next in the DCU.
The Justice Society of America
The Justice Society of America was previously presented in other DC comic adaptations. The earliest memories of millennials seeing these characters from the comic page probably came from the Tom Welling-led Smallville. In DCTV, the characters were presented in season 2 of DC’s Legends of Tomorrow. Gunn’s attitude towards JSA members has fans on social media speculating about what will come next and, even better, who could play these characters.
Fan Speculation and Casting
As Gunn confirmed the presence of Doctor Fate on the mural, fans began to wonder if Pierce Brosnan’s Doctor Fate would return or if someone new would take on the role. Since then, confirmation has triggered an entire internet frenzy with fans casting different characters left and right. Another character fans apparently discovered was Ted Grant, alias Wildcat, another widespread JSA member. Some fans have even suggested Christopher Meloni from Law & Order: Organized Crime or Alan Ritchson from Reacher for the role. Ritchson, ironically, was also rumored to be cast as Batman, prompting Gunn to react to these rumors and say, "I am a great Alan Ritchson fan, both as an actor and as a type… let’s just wait to see what happens."
Conclusion
Superhuman is currently playing in theaters. As fans wait to see more of these characters in the murals, it remains to be seen what Gunn has in store for the DCU. With the success of Superman and the excitement surrounding the Justice Society of America, it’s clear that Gunn’s DCU is just getting started. Stay tuned for the latest updates on the DCU and its upcoming projects.
