Lobo Is There To Claim

Supergirl is primed to make her presence known in the DCU. She is set to steal some spotlight from her cousin, Superman. But what is funny about that, another character in her movie, is also set to steal the spotlight from her. After years of waiting for a bigger chance, Lobo is about the make his live action cinematic debut. Lobo has been a heavy fan favorite for quite some time but the love surrounding him hasn’t fully reflected his popularity. Again, that is set to change. The perfect actor was casted in the role and with promotions of Supergirl, as of now, it seems that DC is getting it right with Lobo. If the momentum continues with him, then one movie where he is a secondary character will not be enough. More projects with him, and with him at the center, will need to happen.

A reason to have Lobo in more stories is to capitalize on what might go down as one of the best castings in all of superhero films. When it was announced that Jason Momoa will be The Main Man, fans were ecstatic. Momoa has everything that goes in such a casting. He has the look of Lobo. He has the personality that could make stepping into that role much easier. And perhaps the best trait, he loves the character. Momoa respects and adores Lobo. With that type of passion, he is going to make certain Lobo is done right and respectfully. Even when he was first brought into DC a few years ago, fans were thinking he will play Lobo. Many were thrown a little off when he was casted as Aquaman. Even Momoa himself was confused. He was convinced he was brought in to play Lobo. But when things are meant to be, things are meant to be. When DC was going through a reboot cinematically and James Gunn was brought in to helm it all, Momoa was fast to pitch himself as Lobo. Fast forward a short few years, that attempt was successful. So, DC has the actor that could not be more perfect to play Lobo. They struck gold with Momoa and the treasure they have in their hands with him, must go beyond one movie.

Lobo is also a more versatile character that people might think. That helps him step into different types of stories. This is a man who has a loving fascination for space dolphins and also committed global genocide on his own planet. So, the stories he could go into, have that type of range. But even what he is as a character could help push him throughout the DCU. He is a mercenary. He gets hired to take out characters throughout the cosmos. That forces him to fight in asteroid belts to Oa to Earth to Mars. As long as he has payment, Lobo has the means to get around. So, it would make perfect sense to see Lobo in Metropolis or fighting a Green Lantern or bumping into Brainiac or trying to evade Thanagarians or landing on Warworld where he has to fight Mongul. Each confrontation he has with these characters could bring different tones. A fight with Mongul could be brutal and bloody. A space chase with Thanagarians could be comedic. Fans are about to see his somewhat softer, and somewhat heroic side in Supergirl. So Lobo has many dimensions to him which could naturally put him into a story with any tone and he wouldn’t necessarily feel out of place. He has an already built-in system to place him where ever. And that serves a big function for the DCU. By having a familiar face in different projects in the DCU, it could make the universe more connected obviously and feel more authentic. That is already being done here and there. But more familiar faces sell that idea that much more. Lobo could add to the pot.

Speaking of, Lobo is a savage, brutal, aggressive character. He loves fights and loves bloodshed. A lot of bloodshed. And he doesn’t care how it gets done. Lobo has a foul mouth to match his brutality. He is perfectly at home when a story allows that type of freedom whether its through DC’s Black Label or an R rating. Once Lobo was announced for Supergirl, fans were quick to demand for an R Rating movie for him. Jason Momoa doubled down on this recently by sharing his wishes to make that project R rated. He continued by saying he will not settle for a PG-13 rating. If DC Studios went this route, it adds more diversity in tone that James Gunn wants. In his announcement of the DCU, he was adamant that many projects will have different tones to them. That is already being seen in the DCU. Superman and Supergirl have that classic superhero, good feeling tone. Peacemaker has a mature edge. Lanterns appears to be grounded, mature and gritty. Clayface is horror. So, the DCU is already leaving up to Gunn’s wishes. If Lobo were to be thrown in that mix, fans could see more layers of tone which gives a richness to the DCU. Fans could see a hyper violent yet comedic story, or stories, centered around Lobo. Lobo could expand the DCU in terms of tone. He could play a part in ensuring the DCU doesn’t feel one dimensional. And this type of approach does have some success…oddly. The Deadpool films, The Boys and Invincible all stepped into this style, thrived in it, and gains some of its success from it…oddly. DC has grazed that in the past but Lobo could be the real big opportunity to capitalize on it. Lobo could be DC’s answer to that style of approach. Lobo’s hyper violence should not be shied away from but taken advantage of instead.

Lobo has been a fan favorite character for quite some time. And like any good character, his status has been growing. He is one of those characters that seemed to be on the cusp of breaking through. He had what he needed to fully make it big but he was kept away until now. Supergirl will definitely have his character topple over. The passion fans have for him will finally be reflected in an elevated status of popularity. And it makes perfect sense for DC and the DCU to ride this momentum. He’s too much a good character to reduce to a supporting role in a film. Everything is lined up for Lobo and the DCU needs to give him his room.