It’s 2026, and the hero shooter battlefield is about as crowded as a New York subway car at rush hour. Yet somehow, DC Comics is still deciding which costume to wear to the party. James Gunn, the mad genius currently rebooting the entire DC cinematic universe alongside Peter Safran, has casually thrown a stick of dynamite into the gaming discourse by saying a DC version of Marvel Rivals is “totally possible.” And honestly? The gaming world hasn’t been this giddy since someone first modded Thomas the Tank Engine into Skyrim. Let’s break down how the house that Batman built might finally get its act together—three years after NetEase dropped a mega-hit that made everyone forget Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League ever existed.

First, a quick history lesson for anyone living under a rock. Marvel Rivals launched in late 2024 as a free-to-play team-based shooter boasting 37 characters at kick-off. By early 2026, that roster has ballooned to over 50 heroes and villains, with seasonal crossovers that would make the Fortnite island blush. The game didn’t just eat DC’s lunch; it swiped the whole dinner table, then rented out the venue for a tournament. Meanwhile, DC’s last attempt at a live-service romp—2024’s Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League—died a death so public that even the Joker might have felt a twinge of secondhand embarrassment. So when Gunn responded to a ComicBook reporter’s question with a cheerful “I’d be open to it,” the collective sigh of relief from fans could power a small city.

But here’s the rub: saying “possible” is not the same as shipping a game. Rumor mills have been churning with whisperings that Rocksteady and NetherRealm Studios are already in talks for new DC projects, and Gunn himself hinted at these conversations. Nostalgic gamers were quick to point out that DC Universe Online—the MMO that has been chugging along since 2011—was basically the original Marvel Rivals, just with fewer Spider-Mans and more clunky flying mechanics. That game’s longevity proves there’s an appetite for throwing down as Superman without having to worry about balancing a real-life mortgage. Still, the leap from a creaky MMO to a glossy Unreal Engine 5 hero shooter is like upgrading from a flip phone to a holographic implant. DC Studios would have some mighty big shoes to fill, likely with a kryptonite lining.

Now, let’s talk roster. A DC-themed shooter could pluck from the crème de la crème of spandex-clad icons: Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, The Flash, Cyborg, Aquaman—basically anyone who has ever mansplained justice in a cape. But here’s where the cheese gets a little binding. The moment you try to slap Aquaman into a game, someone’s bound to cry foul that his trident-pokey-pokey style is just Namor with a better PR team. Ditto Green Arrow, whose trick arrows would inevitably get compared to Hawkeye’s identical gimmick. Even the devs at NetEase had to rework Human Torch multiple times because his fiery silhouette kept blending into the visual noise—and that’s with characters they own. Imagine the headache of differentiating a speedster who runs fast from, uh, another speedster who runs fast. The Flash family alone could spawn a dozen identical skins that would make even the most eagle-eyed player throw their keyboard out the window.

Of course, fans have already cooked up more narrative spine than most Hollywood writing rooms. Reddit threads and Discord servers are buzzing with multiverse-smashing plotlines featuring the Anti-Monitor or the Batman Who Laughs as the big bad, both of whom could wipe a roster of Snyderverse grimaces off the map without breaking a sweat. The idea of swapping Marvel’s Doctor Doom and Galacta for these universe-bending villains is so delicious it practically writes its own trailer. Picture this: the Batman Who Laughs cackling as he sends a corrupted Justice League after your squad, all while James Gunn’s signature needle-drop soundtrack plays in the background. Chef’s kiss.

But let’s pump the brakes for a sec. The hero shooter market is no joke in 2026. Marvel Rivals isn’t just a game—it’s a cultural event with esports circuits, skin collaborations that actually make sense (looking at you, Fortnite), and a fanbase more dedicated than a caffeinated squirrel. DC can’t just waltz in with a half-baked beta and expect applause. They need to bring the heat: fluid gameplay, inspired map design (Gotham’s rainy rooftops? Themyscira’s sun-drenched coliseum? Yes, please), and a monetization strategy that doesn’t make players want to pull a Batman and disappear into the night. Gunn’s openness is a promising first step, but as every comic book fan knows, the road from a hopeful panel announcement to a polished release is paved with broken dreams and delayed launch dates.

The silver lining? DC has a stable of characters that are basically walking pop-culture monuments. Even a casual gamer knows who Batman is—no origin story required. And with Gunn at the helm of the broader DCU, there’s a real chance for synergy that doesn’t feel forced. Imagine a hero shooter that ties into the upcoming Brave and the Bold movie, with in-game events that actually matter. It’s the kind of cross-media magic that Marvel Rivals has mostly avoided (though they did throw in a Deadpool & Wolverine skin drop that broke the internet). So yes, DC, the door is wide open. The question isn’t whether a DC hero shooter can happen—it’s whether it can avoid tripping over its own cape on the way through. And call me a hopeful chump, but with Gunn’s track record, I’m betting on the team that turned a talking raccoon into a cultural icon.