Josh Brolin‘s possible casting as Darkseid has sparked intense fan speculation. His resharing of fan art depicting himself as the iconic villain hints at potential discussions with DC Studios. The actor’s history with comic book roles and his portrayal of Thanos in the MCU make him a fitting candidate for another cosmic antagonist.
Here’s what we know about the ongoing rumors and why fans are excited about Brolin’s possible entry into the DC Universe.
Could Josh Brolin play DC’s Darkseid after MCU’s Thanos?
Josh Brolin may take on the role of Darkseid in the DC Universe, but no official confirmation exists as of now. While he has shown interest by resharing fan art of himself as Darkseid in an Instagram Story, it remains speculative as to whether he will portray the iconic DC villain.
Brolin’s history with comic book adaptations is extensive. He portrayed Thanos in several Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) films, cementing his legacy as a memorable villain. His experience with motion-capture and layered performances makes him a strong candidate for Darkseid. However, differentiating Darkseid from Thanos could be challenging due to their similar appearances and cosmic tyrant personas.
In 2024, Brolin confirmed he had been approached for the role of Hal Jordan/Green Lantern in the DCU’s upcoming HBO Max series, Lanterns, but he ultimately declined (via ComicBookMovie.com). However, this has not deterred DC Studios from pursuing him for another role.
As per industry insider Daniel Richtman, DC still wants to work with the actor. This has sparked discussions on whether Brolin could portray Darkseid. BossLogic, a well-known digital artist, fueled these rumors by sharing artwork depicting Brolin as Darkseid. Brolin resharing the artwork on social media intrigued fans and hinted at possible talks with DC Studios.
James Gunn and Peter Safran, co-CEOs of DC Studios, have remained tight-lipped about Darkseid’s future in their newly restructured DCU. Darkseid last appeared in Zack Snyder’s Justice League (2021), where Ray Porter provided the character’s voice and motion-capture performance. As of now, no upcoming project has been confirmed to feature Darkseid, making the character’s return to the screen uncertain.
Brolin’s association with Thanos could pose a creative challenge for DC. Casting him as Darkseid might draw comparisons between the two villains, potentially diminishing the impact of his portrayal.
However, it also presents a unique meta opportunity to highlight the differences between the MCU and DCU’s storytelling approaches. If Brolin joins the DCU, he’d bring gravitas and experience, making him an appealing choice for the role of Darkseid — or another major villain like Deathstroke or Clayface.
