Idris Elba played Bloodsport in James Gunn’s The Suicide Squad, which was part of the DCEU. Elba teased a potential Bloodsport return in an interview with Variety:
I would definitely like to tell the Superman story. There’s no doubt. Bloodsport versus Superman. It needs to happen.
In the DCEU flick, Bloodsport was sent to prison for putting Superman in the ICU with a Kryptonite bullet. This was the main reason he was tasked by Amanda Waller to join Task Force X.
After the recent retcon of the DCEU, a few characters made their way into James Gunn’s DCU.
What Idris Elba’s Comment Means For Bloodsport’s Future in DCU
James Gunn, the co-head of DC Studios, recently spoke to Entertainment Weekly in August 2025 regarding Bloodsport’s role in the newly formed DCU:
I definitely am always looking for a place to put Bloodsport and figuring that out, so we’ll see what happens.
In an interview with Fandango’s Erik Davis way back in 2022, Idris Elba shared his excitement about returning to DC rather than Marvel, stating that “something really s*xy is cooking” (via X).
Significant characters and storylines from the DCEU have made their way into the DCU, including Peacemaker and Amanda Waller, and major plot events like the death of Joel Kinnaman’s Rick Flag Jr.
After James Gunn shot down the possibility of a solo Bloodsport movie, claiming it was false (via The Direct), we might get a chance to see Idris Elba as the excellent shot in the Waller series that Gunn has planned.
Bloodsport vs Superman in the Comics vs James Gunn’s DCU
Robert DuBois, or better known by his alias Bloodsport, was created by John Byrne during his Man of Steel reboot era in 1987. DuBois avoided the Vietnam War and experienced psychological instability after his brother returned with severe injuries.
Due to his not participating in the bloody war, he had survivor’s guilt. This guilt drove him to the point of paranoia and violence, making him susceptible to Lex Luthor’s mind games.
Lex Luthor often manipulates or uses pawns to fight against Superman from the shadows, keeping himself in a good public spotlight. Luthor convinced DuBois that America had let him down and that Superman was part of a larger problem that needed to be dealt with.
The criminal mastermind Luthor had his scientists provide him with a teleportation-based weapon system that allowed him to summon high-tech weaponry instantly.
Armed with guns and explosives, Bloodsport went on a rampage, murdering the citizens of Metropolis before his inevitable showdown with Superman.
During a critical moment in battle, Bloodsport summons a Kryptonite-loaded firearm and shoots at Superman, injuring him in the shoulder. The Kryptonite lodged in Superman’s body begins to poison him, forcing him to retreat.
After getting help and stabilizing his condition, Superman rushes back into battle and disarms Bloodsport with agility, taking him into custody.
James Gunn is always heavily inspired by the comics, opening up the possibility for Bloodsport to return in the DCU, maybe for Gunn’s next project, Man of Tomorrow?
Gunn has already released an image online, featuring Superman and Lex Luthor, who is fully suited up in armour. Gunn has said that this will not be a direct adaptation of any comic, but will be an original story featuring Superman.
Gunn also cleared up that Man of Tomorrow is not Superman 2 and will feature many heroes and villains.
With all these updates and what’s canon and what isn’t, we can be sure that James Gunn will deliver a thrilling story involving Bloodsport vs Superman.
Would you like to see a face-off between Bloodsport and Superman? Let us know what you think in the comments.
Man of Tomorrow is set to release in July 2027.
The Suicide Squad is streaming on HBO Max in the U.S.
