Actor Sean Gunn has confirmed that his character, the influential businessman Maxwell Lord, will feature in at least two more projects within the revamped DC Universe. Gunn, who is currently promoting his upcoming AI-horror film Appofeniacs, shared this update during a press tour.
When questioned about potential appearances, such as in the upcoming film Man of Tomorrow, Gunn remained tight-lipped, stating only that he could not confirm specific titles. However, he did address why Maxwell Lord is not expected to appear in the HBO series Lanterns. Gunn suggested that the corporate dealings and high-stakes power plays that Maxwell Lord engages in are likely beyond the scope of the specific investigations and characters involved in Lanterns, implying that those involved are considered "small fry" by Lord.
Gunn's portrayal of Maxwell Lord draws inspiration from the character's late 1980s Justice League International comic origins. This iteration positions Lord not as a traditional supervillain, but as a shrewd, media-savvy corporate executive. As the CEO of LordTech, he funds superhero ventures like the Justice Gang and navigates the complex political landscape of a world with metahumans. This grounding in corporate influence and political maneuvering offers a unique narrative anchor for the franchise, presenting an Elon Musk-esque figure.
This confirmation of Maxwell Lord's expanded role underscores DC Studios' strategy for cross-media integration in its Chapter 1 roadmap. Whether his influence is felt through live-action series, animated projects, or major films, LordTech's expansion is expected to significantly impact the nascent DCU. Gunn is also involved with DC Studios as a voice actor, lending his talents to characters like G.I. Robot and Weasel in the animated series Creature Commandos.
Appofeniacs is scheduled for release on October 2.