I’m more excited for oneTeen Titanscharacter than I ever have been, thanks to a James Gunn superhero movie trick.Teen Titansis not part of the official slate ofupcoming DC movies, yet Gunn recently confirmed that the script is still in development. The writer of theDCU’sSupergirlmovie, Ana Nogueira, has been working on aTeen Titansproject for a while now, with Gunn’s latest update giving us hope that it will eventually be greenlit and placed into production.
This would allow theDCU’s Chapter One: Gods and Monstersto introduce some major DC heroes, from a new version of Robin and former Justice League members like Cyborg, to incredibly powerful characters like Raven and Starfire. After all,James Gunn’sSupermanmovieis just the beginning of the franchise, withTeen Titansoffering the chance to broaden the scope of the DCU. Above all the characters the movie could introduce, though, I am most looking forward to one more than ever, thanks to a long-lasting trend in James Gunn’s superhero projects.
James Gunn’s Superhero History Places An Emphasis On Animal Characters
From Both Marvel & DC
The trend in question is how James Gunn depicts animal characters. Since his first step into the big leagues of superhero filmmaking, Gunn has placed an emphasis on the animal world of Marvel and DC Comics, be they anthropomorphic heroes or simply pets of characters like Superman. The first instance of this was Rocket Raccoon inGuardians of the Galaxy, who became an instant fan-favorite and continues to be so in the MCU. Thecast ofGuardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3only doubled down on this, with the likes of Lylla, Floor, Teefs, and Cosmo being given big roles in the film.
Moving over to Gunn’s DC projects,The Suicide Squadgave important roles to animal heroes and villains. Weasel was an intriguing part of the titular team before going on to have a tragic, emotional backstory inCreature Commandos. Starro the Conqueror was also utilized perfectly, with the hero Ratcatcher II and her army of rats saving the day by defeating the animal kaiju villain. Peacemaker, a character fromThe Suicide Squad, later received a spin-off, which included his animal companion named Eagly. InPeacemakerseason 2, Eagly returns in a big way, with Michael Rooker playing the animal’s personal antagonist.
Gunn confirmed that the Super Dog was what allowed him to crack the script and story ofSuperman…
Finally, there is Krypto inSuperman. Krypto is expected to be a big part ofSuperman’s cast of characters, though his importance goes even deeper. In a recent interview withRolling Stone,Gunn confirmed that the Super Dog was what allowed him to crack the script and story ofSuperman. Gunn insisted that the first scene of the movie is the one highlighted in several trailers involving Krypto finding Superman in the ice before taking him back to the Fortress of Solitude. Aside from Gunn’s evident love for Krypto, the animal companion allowed the entire story ofSupermanto flourish.
James Gunn’s DCU Oversight Could Give Teen Titans An Excellent Beast Boy
An Emphasis Could Be Placed On A Specific Teen Titans Character
Given Gunn’s history with superhero animals,Teen Titanscould feature an outstanding depiction of Beast Boy. Beast Boy, for those unaware of the character, is as simple as he sounds.Garfield Mark “Gar” Logan, better known by his superhero alias, has the ability to transform into any animal he has seen personally or an illustration of, rendering him an important member of the Teen Titans in most iterations of the team. Although Gunn is not writing and likely not directingTeen Titansin the DCU, his oversight could have a positive impact on Beast Boy.
With Beast Boy able to turn into multiple animals, the CGI processes Gunn has used over the years to bring the likes of Rocket, Cosmo, and Krypto - to name but a few - to life would be immeasurably valuable. This could not only make Beast Boy’s transformations look better than ever, but also allow for other elements of Gunn’s successful animal depictions to be implemented in some ways. As the head of DC Studios, Gunn’s oversight could make Beast Boy a true home run.
The DCU’s Beast Boy Could Make Shape-Shifting Powers Better Than Ever
Personality Is Key
Perhaps the main way in which Gunn’s past works could inspire the DCU’sTeen Titansis by giving each of Beast Boy’s transformations its own personality. Rather than having Beast Boy turn into generic animals who appear, do their heroic thing, then disappear again, the character’s transformations could be much more unique. Like how Krypto and Cosmo have distinct personalities from each other, which, in turn, differ from Rocket, then Lylla, and so on, Beast Boy’sTeen Titansanimals could take a leaf out of James Gunn’s former works and be more different than ever.
