James Gunn Says John Cena, Viola Davis & Xolo Maridueña Will Continue Roles In DC Universe

James Gunn has confirmed that John Cena, Viola Davis and Xolo Maridueña will continue playing their DCEU characters in the new DC Universe. Gunn replied to fans on Threads with a few new details on his plans for the relaunched DC film and TV universe now that the writer’s strike is over and noted that Cena, Davis and Maridueña will continue to play Peacemaker, Amanda Waller, and Jaime Reyes (aka Blue Beetle), respectively.

The information confirms previously-expected information; Maridueña has been noted before as continuing with his role in the DC Universe. He first played the role in Blue Beetle earlier this year. And Cena and Davis had previously been said to be reprising their roles in a second season of Peacemaker and the new series Waller, respectively. They join David Corenswet (Clark Kent/Superman) and Rachel Brosnahan (Lois Lane) as confirmed stars in the new DC relaunch. It is not currently known when Blue Beetle will appear.

Gunn also confirmed that the new continuity begins with the animated Creature Commandos series, writing:

Nothing is canon until Creature Commandos next year – a sort of aperitif to the DCU – & then a deeper dive into the universe with Superman: Legacy after that. It’s a very human drive to want to understand everything all the time, but I think its okay to be confused on what’s happening in the DCU since no one has seen anything from the DCU yet.

And, yes, some actors will be playing characters they’ve played in other stories & some plot points might be consistent with plot points from the dozens of films, shows & animated projects that have come from DC in the past. But nothing is canon until CC and Legacy.

There is one film of the currently-ending contiuity, popularly known as the DCEU, yet to release in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom which arrives on December 20th.