James Gunn’s IG Story Sparks Question: Is Teyana Taylor Joining the DCU?
Teyana Taylor in the DCU — The Rumor That’s Breaking the Internet
Tenured African-American actress, singer, and creative powerhouse Teyana Taylor is on an undeniable hot streak in 2025. After starring in Tyler Perry’s Straw on Netflix and Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another, her star power is only climbing higher. But the latest buzz around Teyana Taylor in the DCU might be her biggest leap yet.
James Gunn — director, writer, and co-CEO of DC Studios — recently posted a photo of himself having dinner with Taylor, immediately igniting speculation across the fandom. With Gunn’s reputation for planting cryptic hints about upcoming projects, fans were quick to assume this meeting wasn’t just casual — it was strategy.
And if the rumors are true, Taylor may be stepping into one of DC’s most underappreciated but powerful roles: Vixen.
Who Is Vixen? The Animal Spirit of the DCU
If you’re new to her story, Vixen — real name Mari Jiwe McCabe — first appeared in Action Comics #521 (1981). She’s one of DC’s first major African female superheroes, born in the fictional African nation of Zambesi. Her power comes from a mystical totem passed down through her family — a gift from the West African spider-god Anansi.
Through this Tantu Totem, Vixen can channel the abilities of any animal in the kingdom. She can summon a cheetah’s speed, an elephant’s strength, an eagle’s flight, or even the bioluminescence of deep-sea life. Her powers are connected to “The Red” — a metaphysical energy field that links all animal life in the DC Universe, the natural counterbalance to Swamp Thing’s “The Green.”
But what makes Vixen truly special isn’t just her power set — it’s her purpose. She uses her abilities to bridge the spiritual and physical worlds, defending both nature and humanity while honoring her ancestral roots. In many ways, Vixen represents a rare combination of Black excellence, mysticism, and environmental stewardship — a perspective that’s long overdue for mainstream superhero storytelling.
Her Place In The DCU
How can James Gunn make her a character we care about if she hasn’t been relevant for 20-plus years?” Well, because that’s sort of his thing and something he has been very vocal about.
Most times, a lot of good and impressive characters get overshadowed by larger-than-life superheroes such as Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman. But nowadays, superhero cinema fans want to see things switched up a bit and be introduced to characters that we didn’t even know we loved.
And Vixen is no different, having the ability to harness the abilities of any animal through a mystical Tantu Totem while also being compassionate and juggling the responsibilities she has to her homeland, Zambesi, battling anything from corporate moguls and supernatural beings who want to use her mystical powers for evil.
When you think about it, she might have similar success to Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Black Panther, and the Hollywood star could maybe see the same sort of success and worldwide recognition that the late Chadwick Boseman saw before his untimely death.
And it’s not like James Gunn has fumbled any new character he has introduced to the big screen, as Peacemaker, Polka Dot Man, and Ratcatcher #2 were big hits in the Suicide Squad remake, with one going on to have a successful HBO spin-off show.
Final Thoughts — The Future of Teyana Taylor in the DCU
At this point, nothing has been officially confirmed by Gunn, Taylor, or DC Studios. But the excitement around Teyana Taylor in the DCU isn’t just hype — it’s hope. It’s a collective desire to see new kinds of heroes, stories rooted in legacy, and performances that elevate what superhero cinema can be.
If the rumors are true, Teyana Taylor’s Vixen could be the bridge between the physical and spiritual sides of the DCU — and the start of a new era for both fans and filmmakers.
Because let’s be honest: if anyone can make The Red roar back to life, it’s Teyana Taylor.
