‘Lanterns’ Confirms This 2021 Movie Is DCU Canon
Lanterns (2026) has been one of the most compelling means of expanding the current cinematic DCU to date, with a solid mix of comics deep cuts and clever revelations about the superhero universe. The sixth episode of the show, “Bad Optics,” does a lot of heavy lifting in that regard, introducing characters like Carol Ferris to the universe while teasing out the larger scope of the universe.
This includes a quick connection to The Suicide Squad (2021), which was James Gunn’s formal introduction to the DC canon of characters following his tenure at Marvel Studios. Given that the 2021 film was nominally a part of the DCEU, it wasn’t initially clear just how much that film is still considered canon within the DCU. Although Lanterns doubles down on the connection between the older movie and the current universe, it also raises some big questions about what else is—and isn’t—canon within the current universe.
‘Lanterns’ Doubles Down On Its Connection To ‘The Suicide Squad’
While Peacemaker (2022) had already laid the groundwork for The Suicide Squad to nominally be a part of the current DCU, Lanterns’ direct reference to that film underscores how the modern cinematic take on the DC Universe has had to adjust to fit in bits and pieces of the previous iteration of the franchise. Taking place in 2026, “Bad Optics” reveals that John Stewart has embarked on a career as an architect since leaving behind his ambitions to become Hal Jordan’s replacement. While discussing his plans for a prospective shelter built underneath buildings that can provide safety in superhero conflicts, John directly references the battle in Metropolis from Superman (2025) and a "giant starfish" coming out of the ocean.
This moment from Lanterns seems to carry on the previous teases from Season 2 of Peacemaker that the events of The Suicide Squad loosely happened in the current continuity, notably including the death of Rick Flag at Peacemaker’s hands and Amanda Waller’s control over the Task Force X initiative. It also fits into the alien invasions and incursions onto Earth that have become a consistent factor in the DCU, making it an easy piece of connective tissue between the show and the film. In the process, however, it also underscores a tricky challenge baked into any effort to better connect the previous iteration of the DC characters from the modern incarnations.
The DCU Is Bringing Back Some (But Not All) Of The Old DC Universe
The DC Extended Universe was established in Man of Steel (2013), which quickly embraced a grim and gritty take on the lore. While this era did earn some solid reviews from films like Wonder Woman (2017) and has its share of fans, the critical drubbing and financial struggles of movies like Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016) and Justice League (2017) undercut momentum for this take on the superhero mythos. The Suicide Squad is one of the few entries in the franchise that has been confirmed to have happened, at least in broad strokes, within the new DCU. This confirms Peacemaker’s inclusion on the team as well as the battle against Starro.
However, it’s unclear if the full team roster was still present, as that would mean the franchise is still working with the version of Harley Quinn who appeared in Suicide Squad (2016) and Birds of Prey (2020). It’s unclear if the version of Gotham seen in either of those films will be consistent with whatever version of the city appears going forward. There are other complications too, such as the confirmation that Jaime Reyes from Blue Beetle (2023) will appear in Superman: Man of Tomorrow (2027), further suggesting a connection between some of the DCU and the former DCEU. Lanterns is an interesting reminder that the broad strokes from those movies happened, but with enough of a disconnect from the previous films that there’s room for recasting or retcons based on the franchise’s future.
