James Gunn and Peter Safran are committed to launching the DCU in the best way possible. Projects will be developed across TV and film, with the studio co-head’s aiming to generate a wonderfully cohesive final product, including animated projects as well.
At Calgary Expo 2023, Agents of Fandom caught up with well known Superman and Wonder Woman voice actors, George Newbern and Susan Eisenberg. The legendary duo have their say on what these characters have mean to them and what they are hoping to see in the DCU reboot.
Legacy characters by legendary voices
Superman and Wonder Woman have been huge cogs in the DC machine for many years. Eisenberg and Newbern did not hold back when speaking about what the animated projects mean to them:
“It’s been an honor for me to be a custodian of such an amazing character over the years, to make sure I served the memory, and the ongoing cycle of Superman.”
—George Newbern talking about what Superman has meant to him, Calgary Expo 2023
One shouldn’t forget how Newbern crafted his Superman persona differently across various pieces of DC media. Justice League Unlimited is one of the greatest animated series of all time, and Newbern’s contribution as the last son of Krypton should always be remembered.
Eisenberg also notes how loved these characters are, long before they started voicing them. The characters have been around for ages, so to get the opportunity to show love for both of them means so much.
“The characters are already beloved, and we get to voice them, but there’s already this audience that loves them even before we joined the show. So it’s our job to give them their due because we appreciate the characters as much as the fans do.”
—Susan Eisenberg on her experience with Wonder Woman over the years, Calgary Expo 2023
Looking forward to the DCU
With James Gunn writing and directing Superman: Legacy, which is set to release July 11 2025, Newbern was asked about the DCU and what he hopes to see from the new Clark Kent and his superhuman alter-ego. He first joked that Gunn has been calling him non-stop, but he’s had to turn him down because he’s too old. He then answered that it’s the humanity of Superman that he wants to see the most:
“I’d like to see a Superman that has got humanity, and a point of view that is not too wishy-washy” he continued.
I’d like to echo that statement. Superman has to have strong humanity as well as strong character. That is a huge part of who he is. Fortunately, Supes is in safe hands with James Gunn, as he loves layering his protagonists with loveable and respectable attributes.
Gal Gadot played Wonder Woman for the past few years in the DCEU. There hasn’t been any word on her possible return, or if Gunn and Safran are looking for an actress with a different profile. Whoever ends up portraying the Amazonian Princess, Eisenberg wants the character to be portrayed across TV, film and video games as well as getting the respect that she rightly deserves.
She notes that she has full trust and faith in James Gunn to get it right with not only Wonder Woman but other DC characters too.
“I trust James Gunn. I think he will do her (Wonder Woman) justice and do him (Superman) justice, so they are in good hands. You just want them to have a vision that’s true to the character.”
—Susan Eisenberg on James Gunn handling Superman and Wonder Woman in the DCU, Calgary Expo 2023
Eisenberg and Newbern voicing characters in the DCU?
Before Eisenberg signed off, she made James Gunn fully aware that she’s interested in voicing characters in DC animated projects moving forward. She added: “James, if you’re listening and if you’re going to do an animated show, then we (Eisenberg and Newbern) are available, and we’re in.” Having these two juggernauts voicing characters in the DCU would be fantastic. They love these heroes. They get these heroes. They are heroes.
Would you like to hear these legendary voices in the rebooted DCU? If they were to voice other characters, which ones would you like them to portray? Let us know in the comments, and make sure to follow the Agents of Fandom on socials for all the latest news and reviews.
