Jackson Hayes is a Freelance Writer at The Direct. Starting his writing career in 2017, he quickly rose through the ranks and became an editor. He’s spent the last seven years working at outlets such as CBR, The Escapist, and Comic Book, where he’s covered major franchises like the MCU, DCU, Harry Potter, and Game of Thrones.
About The Direct
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Jackson Hayes's Latest The Direct Articles
DC Studios Officially Casts the 9th Star Wars Actor Into the DCU
James Gunn is taking a page out of Marvel's book by casting a bunch of Star Wars actors in the DCU.
With Marvel Studios’ 2027 Defenders Crossover Event Confirmed, These 5 Villains Are Perfect for the Disney+ Reunion
The Defenders are back in action, this time on Disney+, and they need a villain who can push them to the edge.
DC Studios Just Confirmed Its 13th Justice League Member
When the Justice League finally does form in James Gunn's DCU, it's going to have plenty of options to choose from.
Marvel Studios Just Retired Its 7th MCU Hero
A hero hanging up their supersuit in the MCU is a rare occasion, but it has happened more than once.
Marvel Studios Just Set Up Its 6th Captain America Successor
The one moniker the MCU will never retire is Captain America, as the franchise just teased a sixth potential successor.
7 Best Superheroes Who Have Never Been Used in the DC Movies
DC's movie division shows a lot of love to a select group of heroes, leaving several great characters out in the cold.
Marvel Just Gave Daredevil His 7th Major Vigilante Team-Up
Matt Murdock is having a rough go of it in Daredevil: Born Again Season 2. Fortunately, he made another vigilante ally.
Supergirl 2026’s Trailer Uses An Iconic Zack Snyder DCEU Line (For A Good Reason)
A dark line from the new Supergirl trailer sounds eerily similar to an iconic one from the DCEU, which is no accident.
Avengers: Doomsday Will Officially Feature 12 Reformed Villains
The MCU will take as many fighters as possible in Avengers: Doomsday, including a dozen villains who flipped sides.
All 6 MCU Heroes Still Hiding Their Secret Identities
Despite being familiar with the MCU's heroes, the public still doesn't know all their secret identities.
The MCU Just Set Up Its 6th Major Hero & Villain Team-Up
Heroes and villains usually get along like cats and dogs in the MCU, but there have been several chances for actual team-ups.
Jean Grey’s Role In Spider-Man Brand New Day Might Be Rooted In This Forgotten Marvel Story
Jean Grey's presence in Spider-Man: Brand New Day is strange, unless the MCU is adapting a forgotten Marvel story.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day Features 6 Important Mutant Powers
Spider-Man: Brand New Day is going to feature its fair share of mutations, which means new abilities to showcase.
Avengers: Doomsday Is Missing 4 Crucial Marvel Legacy Characters
Adding a few more legacy heroes to its roster will take Avengers: Doomsday to the next level.
Avengers Doomsday Omitting These 5 Marvel Characters Can Make Secret Wars Significantly Better
Avengers: Doomsday has a lot on its plate, so cutting a few characters could make Avengers: Secret Wars stronger.
James Gunn’s 2027 DCU Movie Might Secretly Be A Justice League Movie
James Gunn's next superhero movie could be pulling out all the stops by forming the DCU's Justice League.
Avengers: Doomsday Reportedly Adding 7th Superhero Team (And They Are Crucial)
As if Avengers: Doomsday didn't have enough on its plate, a new team is reportedly joining the MCU team-up movie.
With Halle Berry Shattering Marvel Fans’ Avengers: Doomsday Hopes, These 3 Upcoming MCU Movies Would Still Be Perfect for Her Storm Return
Halle Berry shut down the idea of Storm in Avengers: Doomsday, which works out because these MCU movies are better fits.
Netflix’s One Piece Season 2 Has Already Revealed 5 Major Easter Eggs Ahead of Premiere
Despite being so close to release, Netflix's One Piece Season 2 is pulling back the curtain on some of its biggest Easter eggs.
The Internet Is Apologizing to Ryan Reynolds After Watching HBO’s Lanterns Trailer
The trailer for the upcoming HBO show Lanterns is here, and it's making fans say sorry to Ryan Reynolds.
Sadie Sink’s Spider-Man Character Could Confirm The MCU X-Men Movie’s Villain
The question surrounding Sadie Sink's role in Spider-Man 4 may have an answer, and it teases a major X-Men villain.
Marvel's Wonder Man Gets One Thing Right That's Been Missing From The MCU For 5 Years
The MCU has been trying to find its footing on Disney+ for years, and Wonder Man just revealed the secret to success.
James Gunn Is Refusing to Change Man of Tomorrow’s Title - Here's Why
Superman's sequel, Man of Tomorrow, won't feature the hero's name in the title, but there's a method to the madness.
3 Years Later, the MCU Can’t Ignore Its Biggest Multiverse Saga Cliffhanger
The Marvel Cinematic Universe has several messes to clean up soon, including a major one from the Multiverse Saga.
Star Wars Has Officially Jumped the Shark in 1 Historically Successful Area
Star Wars is putting a lot of faith in The Mandalorian & Grogu, but it's trying a bit too hard in one department.
The Batman 2 Is Having Trouble Filling a Major Role - Here's Why
Matt Reeves' The Batman Part II is struggling to fill one of its most important roles, and the reason is obvious.
5 MCU Heroes That Would Be A Perfect Fit for Spider-Man 5
Peter Parker will get Punisher's help in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, but he should reach out to these heroes next time.
James Gunn’s DCU Timeline May Tease Gods & Monsters’ Big Bad (And It’s Not Darkseid)
James Gunn is revealing more about his DC Universe, including a fact about the timeline that may tease a major villain.
5 Overlooked MCU Characters Who Will Be Game-Changers in Avengers: Doomsday
Avengers: Doomsday brings back heavy hitters like Thor and Sentry, but other MCU characters may be the key to victory.
5 DC Villains That Should Get the Clayface Treatment in the DCU
Clayface will get a chance to shine in the DCU with his movie, and other villains deserve the same chance.
DCEU’s Biggest Mistake Was Something James Gunn’s DCU Nailed From the Start
James Gunn's DC Universe is ready to embrace mature content, which the DCEU couldn't do at the right moments.
Ironheart’s Release Strategy Will Help It Avoid WandaVision’s Biggest Mistake
Ironheart seems to be getting the short end of the stick, but Marvel may be helping it avoid a prior mistake.
James Gunn Confirms Marvel & DC Crossover Movie Talks, But Only the MCU Would Benefit From It
James Gunn isn't ruling out a big-screen Marvel/DC crossover, but he doesn't need it as much as the MCU.
Wonder Woman Reboot Movie Must Keep This One Thing Gal Gadot’s Movies Got Right
Despite rebooting Wonder Woman for his DC Universe, James Gunn would be wise to borrow one aspect of Gal Gadot's movies.
Fantastic Four 2025 Just Fixed Fan4stic’s Biggest Mistake
The Fantastic Four: First Steps isn't going to borrow one of the most controversial aspects of Fan4stic.
There's Only One MCU Eternals Character Who Must Absolutely Return
Eternals became the MCU's black sheep, but the franchise can be saved by having just one character return.
I'm Convinced James Gunn's DC Reboot Will Avoid the DCEU's Biggest Flaw After SnyderVerse Star's Recent Confirmation
Details of Zack Snyder's DCEU plans are still making headlines, and they make the DCU feel like a breath of fresh air.
Chris Hemsworth’s Potential MCU Exit Puts a Major Deadpool Moment In Doubt
Chris Hemsworth is making it sound like Thor's time in the MCU is coming to an end, which will devastate Deadpool.
New Superman 2025 Movie Merch Spoils a Major Villain Twist
The marketing campaign for James Gunn's Superman is in full swing, and it seems to be spoiling a major twist.
Thunderbolts’ Cringey Captain America Easter Egg Reveals A Much Larger MCU Issue
Despite being arguably the best MCU movie in years, Thunderbolts* features a cringey line that misses the point.