Recent reports indicate that sales for the Khaos Reigns DLC and accompanying fighters for Mortal Kombat 1 have not met Warner Bros. Games’ expectations. This development has led to speculation that plans for future downloadable content (DLC) for the game may have been scrapped. While upcoming DLC fighters such as Conan the Barbarian and the T-1000 are still on track for release, they could mark the end of significant DLC additions for Mortal Kombat 1. Should this information be confirmed, it may prompt Warner Bros. to reallocate all resources from NetherRealm Studios towards the creation of their next major title. While many anticipate another installment in the Mortal Kombat series, the ongoing developments in James Gunn’s DC Cinematic Universe could pave the way for the highly anticipated Injustice 3.
James Gunn’s DCU: A New Chapter for Injustice
After the mixed critical and financial reception of Zack Snyder’s DCU, Warner Bros. enlisted the talented James Gunn to effectively revamp the cinematic universe while incorporating select aspects of prior films and series. Key works, such as Gunn’s The Suicide Squad and the series Peacemaker, will largely remain canon in the new framework, with a second season of Peacemaker slated for a Summer 2025 debut. However, the majority of the previous DCU will undergo a reboot, introducing new actors into iconic roles and leaving various storylines unresolved, including those hinted at in Black Adam and Wonder Woman 1984.
Despite Blue Beetle being regarded as the inaugural film in Gunn’s revamped DCU, it was actually in motion prior to his takeover. The first entirely new project developed under Gunn’s guidance is the 2024 series Creature Commandos, which centers on a team of monstrous outcasts assembled by Amanda Waller for perilous missions. Following that, Superman: Legacy, featuring David Corenswet as the titular hero, is expected to arrive in Summer 2025. Additional upcoming projects in the DCU lineup include Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, The Brave and the Bold, The Authority, Lanterns, Paradise Lost, and Booster Gold.
Recently, Gunn clarified that the Justice League’s appearance in the initial season of Peacemaker is not considered part of the DCU’s continuity.
Potential DCU Integrations in Injustice 3
It has now been over seven years since the debut of Injustice 2 on the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. During this time, two new Mortal Kombat games have been launched: Mortal Kombat 11 and Mortal Kombat 1. The Injustice narrative, however, has continued in various ways, including in comic form. In 2018, DC published a six-issue sequel comic that continued the story from the unpopular ending of Injustice 2, integrating elements from He-Man and the Masters of the Universe. Additionally, in 2021, a fourteen-issue prequel comic titled Injustice: Year Zero was released, alongside an R-rated animated film adaptation.
While speculation regarding Injustice 3 has been circulating for several months, neither NetherRealm Studios nor Warner Bros. has confirmed any development. Should they officially announce Injustice 3 by late 2024 or 2025, the game might launch in 2026 and feature characters from the new DCU offerings. The previous installment showcased characters associated with ongoing DC narratives, such as the impactful presence of the Suicide Squad, aligning with the audience’s familiarity from the 2016 film. The next chapter could similarly introduce characters like G.I. Robot, Doctor Phosphorus, and Eric Frankenstein as playable fighters, whilst also presenting alternate costumes that echo the aesthetics of the new films, including a design reflecting Corenswet’s Superman.
Roles of DCU Characters in Injustice 3
How NetherRealm approaches the alternate endings from Injustice 2 could determine the character dynamics in Injustice 3. The Creature Commandos might play a supporting role in the overarching conflict, akin to the portrayed dynamics of the Suicide Squad in the prior game. Notably, Supergirl could receive enhanced prominence, aligning with her upcoming feature film, Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, starring Milly Alcock. The Authority’s involvement could also add a unique twist to the narrative, potentially siding with Superman’s authoritarian ideology versus Batman’s advocacy for democratic governance. Integrating new DCU characters into Injustice 3 could enrich the game’s narrative tapestry while simultaneously expanding the universe of the DC franchise.
Leave a Reply