Work on the DCU is well underway, and with upcoming films like Superman: Legacy and The Brave and the Bold, there’s a lot to look forward to. Among the announcements, there is growing buzz around projects dedicated to iconic DC villains Bane and Deathstroke. This has sparked theories that the DCU could create something that both Marvel and DC have struggled to pull off in the past: a successful supervillain team-up movie. If done right, this upcoming DC film could finally realize the dream that has eluded both comic book writers.
Six Secret DC Movie Theories Explained
One of the most tantalizing rumors about the future of the DCU is the possibility of a Secret Six movie. The Secret Six are a team of supervillains that have gone through several iterations in DC Comics. While it had different lineups, one of the most iconic included Bane and Deathstroke, two characters who are reportedly being developed in the new DCU.
In comics, the Secret Six are often depicted as anti-heroes, mercenaries united by a mysterious figure known as Mockingbird, and tasked with dangerous, morally ambiguous missions. The Secret Six movie will allow DC to showcase a unique team dynamic that stands out from typical superhero groups like the Justice League. Unlike the outright villainy of the Legion of Doom, the Secret Six operate in a gray area where their motives can range from personal gain to a twisted sense of justice.
Having Bane and Deathstroke – two of DC’s most fearsome and strategic villains – at the center of it all would give the team some real weight. Being able to see these characters come together opens the door to a gritty, intense storyline that can delve deep into the psyches of these characters rather than just portraying them as clear-cut villains. This fits with James Gunn’s penchant for exploring flawed, complex characters, as he did in Suicide Squad and Guardians of the Galaxy.
Previous DC Movie The Lost Team of Super-Villains Explained
The idea of ​​a film about a team of DC supervillains is not new. Back in the days of the DCEU, there were plans to introduce a group of villains that could rival the Justice League in power and threat. In the post-credits scene of 2017’s Justice League, Lex Luthor escapes from Arkham Asylum and meets Slade Wilson, aka Deathstroke, on a yacht. Their conversation talked about forming a new team, with Luthor hinting at forming “a league of our own”, which many fans interpreted as the beginning of the Legion of Doom.
Unfortunately, the film’s poor box office performance and subsequent behind-the-scenes turmoil at Warner Bros. meant that this Legion of Doom film was never fully developed. Deathstroke’s tease alongside Luthor was a missed opportunity for DC to create a darker, villain-centric storyline. This could set the stage for a film in which the villains pursue their own goals rather than simply being a hindrance to the heroes. While the Legion of Doom never came to fruition, the basis for a villainous team clearly existed, and many were disappointed when it was abandoned.
Sony has tried several times to make a Sinister Six movie.
On the Marvel side, Sony has made several attempts to create their own villain movie, most notably the Sinister Six. The Sinister Six are a group of Spider-Man’s most dangerous enemies, united by their hatred of the web. Plans for a Sinister Six movie have been circulating since The Amazing Spider-Man. After The Amazing Spider-Man 2 introduced various villains and hinted at the formation of the Sinister Six, Sony announced that a standalone film focusing on the group of villains is in development.
However, this project was scrapped following the reboot of The Amazing Spider-Man franchise, and Sony made a deal with Marvel Studios to integrate Spider-Man into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. However, the dream of a Sinister Six movie is not dead. Sony continues to develop its own Spider-Man Universe (SSU) with standalone villain-focused films like Venom, Morbius and the upcoming Kraven the Hunter.
There’s a good chance these films are laying the groundwork for a Sinister Six movie, but the main problem Sony faces is the lack of a coherent, unified vision for the universe. Without a clear Spider-Man figure in their universe, it’s hard to imagine a Sinister Six movie that feels cohesive and meaningful. Additionally, SSU’s films’ struggle to make money at the box office calls into question whether Sony can pull off this ambitious team.
Why DC’s ‘Secret Six’ Movie Will Likely Release Before ‘Sinister Six’ Movie
When comparing the two, it seems much more likely that DC will be able to release a Secret Six movie before Marvel’s Sinister Six project ever gets off the ground. James Gunn’s DCU already prioritizes lesser-known or less popular characters, as seen in Suicide Squad and Peacemaker, and The Secret Six fits perfectly into Gunn’s storytelling wheelhouse. He excels at bringing together unlikely characters and exploring their complex relationships, making him the perfect person to watch The Secret Six.
Meanwhile, Sony’s Sinister Six plans appear to be stuck in limbo. While the SSU films have introduced several key members of the Sinister Six, they have yet to convincingly tie these characters together in a way that could lead to the creation of a team. Additionally, SBU’s track record is shaky at best, with films like Morbius panned and underwhelming financially. Unless Sony can dramatically improve the quality and integrity of its universe, a Sinister Six movie will seem like a distant dream.
In contrast, a Secret Six movie would allow the DCU to continue to focus on villain-centric narratives without having to rely on a more traditional hero vs. villain dynamic. It could also follow a trend that has worked well for Gunn in the past, namely highlighting lesser-known characters who, when teamed up, create unexpected and interesting team dynamics. By bringing together intriguing characters like Bane and Deathstroke, and focusing on a more grounded and emotional story, the DCU has a real chance to achieve what Marvel’s Sinister Six and the DCEU’s Legion of Doom failed to achieve.
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