James Gunn Reveals How Jason Momoa Became Lobo in Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow
OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
In a surprising and exciting development for DC fans, DC Studios chief James Gunn has opened up about bringing Jason Momoa back into the DC Universe—not as Aquaman, but as the iconic antihero Lobo. The news comes ahead of the highly anticipated Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow film, set for release in 2026, which also stars Milly Alcock, Matthias Schoenaerts, Eve Ridley, David Krumholtz, and Emily Beecham.
How Momoa Pitched Himself as Lobo
Speaking on the DC Studios Showcase podcast, Gunn recounted the moment Momoa reached out after Gunn was announced as the new DC Studios head. “I got a message immediately. It was Jason Momoa texting me saying… just all caps, ‘Lobo, baby.’ A billion exclamation points,” Gunn said with a laugh.
Momoa wasn’t the only star to contact Gunn—Ryan Reynolds also congratulated him, jokingly refusing an offer to reprise his role as Green Lantern—but Momoa was the only actor who actively pursued a role and ended up joining the new DCU.
A Character Momoa Has Loved for Years
Momoa’s passion for Lobo has been well known. The actor has described the character as his “favorite” and “the perfect role,” even saying, “If they ever call me and ask me to play, or ask me to audition, I’m there.” When the casting news broke, Momoa posted a simple but telling message on social media: “They called,” alongside an old quote expressing his enthusiasm for the character.
He also described Lobo as a natural fit for his personality, citing the character’s love of motorcycles, cigars, partying, and fighting—attributes perfectly aligned with Momoa’s own bombastic energy.
Gunn’s Vision and Collaboration with DC Comics
James Gunn revealed that he collaborated closely with acclaimed DC Comics writer Tom King on Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow to reintroduce Lobo into the story, especially since the character didn’t appear in the original graphic novel. Gunn expressed his longtime admiration for Lobo, calling him “maybe, in some ways, the biggest comic book character that’s never been in a film,” and emphasized how exciting it was to finally bring the character to life on the big screen.
The creative team behind Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, including director Craig Gillespie and screenwriter Ana Nogueira, clearly shared Momoa’s enthusiasm, making his dream casting a reality.
What Momoa as Lobo Means for the DC Universe
Momoa’s new role marks a fresh chapter for both the actor and the DC Universe. While his portrayal of Aquaman was widely praised—especially given the massive success of Aquaman (2018)—many fans and critics have long believed Lobo suits Momoa’s wild, larger-than-life persona even better. Known for his irreverent, chaotic nature, Lobo promises to bring a thrilling new energy to the DCU.
As Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow gears up for its 2026 release, anticipation builds to see how Momoa’s Lobo will interact with the broader DC Universe and what impact the character will have in the post-reboot landscape.
Looking Ahead
Jason Momoa’s journey from Aquaman to Lobo reflects both his deep connection to DC Comics lore and the evolving direction of DC Studios under James Gunn. With a passionate fanbase and a creative team committed to delivering bold storytelling, Momoa’s Lobo could become one of the most memorable—and hard-hitting—characters in the new DC Universe.