James Gunn’s New Zac Efron DC Universe Update Is Not What We Expected

Zac Efron has become an extremely popular choice for multiple DC Universe heroes, and James Gunn has just addressed the actor’s role in a franchise project, but it was not the one fans have been campaigning for. Efron rose to worldwide fame with Disney’s High School Musical trilogy. He has only grown as an actor ever since, starring in box office hits and critical darlings.

Recently, Efron delivered an Oscar-caliber performance in the lead role of the sports drama The Iron Claw, with his snub for major awards shocking to date. The actor is perfect for many DC canon characters, having the star power and franchise experience to star in several of DC’s upcoming projects. However, he has already appeared in the DCU, and that might be it for now.

James Gunn Has Addressed Zac Efron’s DC Universe “Cameo”

Zac Efron has yet to play a DC character in live-action or animation in the new DC Universe. However, the star showed up in the franchise’s first release. Efron appears as himself through a photo from his shirtless appearance at the 2014 MTV Movie Awards. The actor can be seen saluting in a gypsy woman’s phone background in Creature Commandos season 1.

Now, James Gunn has taken to Threads to address Efron’s live-action cameo in the animated DC show. According to DC Studios’ creative chief, the studio reached out to the star to use his photo for that fun moment, which Efron agreed to. Gunn explained, “Grateful that @zacefron signed off on letting us use his image!”

While getting anything from Gunn directly addressing Efron is exciting, that is not the DC update fans have been waiting for when it comes to the actor. Over the years, Efron has become a popular pick in fan circles for several heroes at both DC and Marvel. In 2021, Gunn even addressed rumors the MCU wanted a “Zac Efron-type” for Adam Warlock, saying, “If I wanted a Zac Efron type, wouldn’t I go to Zac Efron?“

The DC Universe Needs To Cast Zac Efron As Booster Gold

Well, for the time being, DC has gone to Zac Efron, only it was for a cameo that holds no relation to the actor’s possible future in the franchise. While the shocking moment was undoubtedly fun, Efron has the chops for a major role in the DCU besides his Creature Commandos cameo. After all, Efron is a fan-favorite choice to play Booster Gold in the DCU.

I would love to see that happen, and the fact that Gunn is aware of Efron and DC has reached out in the past, even for just a photo cameo, is exciting for his chances.

Efron has several hilarious projects that make him perfect for Booster Gold, like Neighbors, and has shown dramatic excellence in The Iron Claw. Hopefully, DC’s next Zac Efron update will be the substantial one fans have been asking for.

Created by

Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson

Cast

Henry Cavill, Ben Affleck, Gal Gadot, Ezra Miller, Ray Fisher, Jason Momoa, Amy Adams, Jesse Eisenberg, Laurence Fishburne, Jeremy Irons, Will Smith, Jared Leto, Margot Robbie, Joel Kinnaman, Viola Davis, Jai Courtney, Jay Hernandez, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Cara Delevingne, Chris Pine, Robin Wright, Zachary Levi, Dwayne Johnson, Amber Heard, Patrick Wilson, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Mark Strong, Asher Angel, Jack Dylan Grazer, Djimon Hounsou, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Jurnee Smollett, Rosie Perez, Ella Jay Basco, Ali Wong, Ewan McGregor, Idris Elba, John Cena, Michael Keaton, George Clooney, Xolo Mariduena

Movie(s)

Man of Steel, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Suicide Squad, Wonder Woman, Justice League, Aquaman, Shazam!, Birds of Prey, Wonder Woman 1984, Zack Snyder’s Justice League, The Suicide Squad, Black Adam, Shazam! The Fury of the Gods, The Flash, Blue Beetle, Superman, The Brave and the Bold

Character(s)

Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, The Flash, Cyborg, Harley Quinn, The Joker, Shazam, Darkseid, Amanda Waller, Lex Luthor, Doomsday, Deadshot, Deathstroke, Black Canary, Black Adam