Summary
With James Gunn now leading DC Studios, we anticipate many more obscure comic characters will finally get their moment in the spotlight within the newDC Universe. And rumor has it that DC Studios is planning to bring back another fan-favorite character who had previously faded from the scene.
It’s barely over a year since Gunn and co-CEO Peter Safranunveiled their ambitious plans for the DC Universe Chapter 1, introducing an array of upcoming movies and Max-exclusive TV shows. This initial reveal sparked widespread fan speculation about future projects, fueled further by Gunn’s social media hints, including his admiration for Tom King and Greg Smallwood’s recent The Human Target comic maxiseries, released by DC in 2022 and 2023. This has thrilled fans, and a new rumor suggests that aHuman TargetTV series might be in the works.
In an exclusive scoop by FilmFront (viaComicBookMovie), it’s rumored that the next addition to the DC Universe could be Christopher Chance, better known as theHuman Target, with the adaptation drawing inspiration from Tom King’s acclaimed comic book run. King, the comic book writerknown for his work that inspiredSupergirl: Woman of Tomorrowand on theLanternsproject, has reportedly been working on theHuman Targetproject since early 2024. He will serve as the main writer while the search for a showrunner and lead actor is ongoing to bring this character to life. As anticipated, Gunn and Safran are set to executive produce.
James Gunn faces an uphill battle to save DC movies, and the decision to revisit theHuman Targetmay raise eyebrows, but with enough time passed, the character’s return to screen seems timely. Adding intrigue is Tom King’s recent reinvention of the character, suggesting the show could draw from his acclaimed comic series for inspiration. Len Wein and Carmine Infantino introduced theHuman Targetin 1972’s Action Comics #419. The character, Christopher Chance, is a skilled impersonator and bodyguard who protects clients by assuming their identities to thwart assassination attempts. On television, Warner Bros. broughtHuman Targetto the screen with Mark Valley portraying Chance in a 2010 TV series that aired on Fox for two seasons, while Wil Traval also took on the role in a 2016 episode of Arrow. Rick Springfield also previously played Chance in a 1992 TV adaptation. While The Human Target has yet to be officially confirmed for the DC Universe lineup, its rich potential suggests it could thrive, even in the early stages of the franchise.
In The Human Target comics, King and Smallwood draw deeply from DC’s rich lore, weaving together Chance’s storied past and the dynamic reputation of theJustice LeagueInternational (JLI) within the superhero landscape. While this might seem an audacious choice for early live-action adaptation, Gunn and Safran’s DC Universe is set to embrace existing superhero narratives rather than starting from scratch. Notably, upcoming projects likeSupermanhave already begun integrating JLI elements, withNathan Fillion portraying Guy Gardner / Green Lanternand Sean Gunn taking on Maxwell Lord, the team’s enigmatic ally-turned-adversary. With Nicholas Hoult slated as Lex Luthor, pivotal to the comic’s narrative, the groundwork for Justice League history is being meticulously laid. This strategic setup could seamlessly introduce The Human Target’s ensemble, unveiling each member amidst an intricate murder mystery leveraging the established canon to captivate audiences anew.
Human Targethas yet to be officially confirmed for the DC Universe lineup.
