I've been waiting for NetherRealm Studios to pull Superman's cape out of retirement for what feels like forever. The Injustice series has been a crown jewel for DC fighting game fans, mixing blockbuster superhero storytelling with the same combo-driven 2D action that made Mortal Kombat a household name. Yet here we are in 2026, and Injustice 3 still hasn't been officially confirmed. That doesn't mean the rumor mill has packed up its bags. If anything, the timing has never looked more promising.
Let's be real: the Injustice series has been too successful to be left on the bench. The first game was a surprise hit, and Injustice 2 expanded the roster, added the loot-style gear system, and delivered a cinematic story that kept players engaged long after launch. NetherRealm Studios clearly knows how to build a fighter, and it would be a shock if Warner Bros. Games decided not to swing back to this universe eventually. Ed Boon, NetherRealm's creative chief, has been cryptic for years, and he has never shut the door on Injustice 3. A few years ago he thanked fans for their passion at DC FanDome, and since then he has kept the community guessing with social media teases that could mean everything or nothing.
But a lot has changed since the original Injustice 3 rumors. NetherRealm didn't jump straight from Mortal Kombat 11 to Injustice 3. Instead, the studio launched Mortal Kombat 1 in 2023, a reboot that reset the timeline and introduced Kameo Fighters. Now that Mortal Kombat 1 has entered its later content cycles, the studio's next move is the big question. Historically, NetherRealm likes to alternate between Mortal Kombat and Injustice projects, so a switch back to DC would make sense. And let's not forget, DC's Joker appeared as a guest in Mortal Kombat 11, so the business relationship between Warner Bros. and NetherRealm is clearly still warm.
There is also a bigger picture here. Warner Bros. has been trying to build a reliable DC gaming universe for years, but the results have been uneven. Gotham Knights came and went without making a massive dent, and Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League struggled to find its audience. If Warner Bros. wants a proven win in 2026 or beyond, Injustice 3 is about as safe as it gets. Fans already know the series, trust NetherRealm's fighting mechanics, and would likely show up for a new chapter. That kind of goodwill is exactly what the DC games slate could use right now.
A big part of the fun is imagining the roster. The Injustice games have always shined with a mix of core Justice League icons, Teen Titans favorites, and weird deep cuts. For Injustice 3, I'd expect the usual headliners like Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, The Flash, and Green Lantern to return. But the rumor mill has also whispered about Watchmen characters finally entering the fray, which would be a huge deal for comic fans. Add in a Mortal Kombat guest or two, because NetherRealm loves a crossover, and you have a roster that could be extremely spicy.
Here's a quick look at what a potential Injustice 3 roster could offer:
| Character Category | Likely or Rumored Additions |
|---|---|
| Core Justice League | Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, The Flash, Green Lantern |
| Fan Favorites | Nightwing, Raven, Starfire, Red Hood, Lobo |
| Watchmen Rumors | Doctor Manhattan, Rorschach, Silk Spectre |
| Mortal Kombat Guest | Scorpion, Sub-Zero, or another classic fighter |
| Wild Cards | Harley Quinn, Peacemaker, Blue Beetle, Static |
Of course, a great roster is only half the battle. The Injustice series is also known for over-the-top super moves that turn a 2D fight into a superhero movie. If Injustice 3 happens, I'd love to see NetherRealm push those animations even further while keeping the combo depth and footwork that competitive players appreciate. The gear system from Injustice 2 was divisive, but it gave players a reason to keep coming back. Whether Injustice 3 keeps that system, revises it, or throws it out entirely is one of the big question marks.
The story is another reason I'm holding out hope. Injustice 2 left the DC universe in a fragile place, and there are plenty of threads worth pulling. NetherRealm has proven it can deliver genuinely entertaining single-player campaigns, and a third entry could raise the stakes even higher. If the developers want to explore alternate timelines, multiverse fallout, or a new regime, the source material gives them plenty of room to play.
Right now, all we have are rumors and a whole lot of hope. But as someone who has put countless hours into Injustice 2's online battles, I can say the community is more than ready for a new chapter. If NetherRealm announces Injustice 3 in 2026, it would instantly become one of the most hyped fighting games on the horizon. If not, we'll keep reading every cryptic tweet like it's bat-signal in the night sky. Either way, the ball is in NetherRealm's court.