As DC Studios co-head James Gunn has explained at length, the new DC slate of projects will wipe the slate completely clean, with none of the studio’s previous films or series being considered canon going forward. There are, it turns out, a few exceptions to the rule.

Gunn took to Threads this week to address fan inquiries about the developing universe, including a question about whether actors from previous DC projects would be reprising their roles in Gunn’ and Safran’s new world order. The answer is yes, and threefold: Gunn writes, “Xolo Maridueña will continue playing Blue Beetle in the DCU, as Viola Davis will Amanda Waller, and John Cena will Peacemaker.”

Maridueña debuted as Jaime Reyes, aka Blue Beetle earlier this year, while Viola Davis has starred in Suicide Squad, The Suicide Squad, as well as appearing uncredited in Black Adam and Peacemaker. John Cena, of course, is known for his hilarious take on Peacemaker, with a second season of his titular show on the way at Max.

Gunn further explains: “And, yes, some actors will be playing characters they’ve played in other stories & some plot points might be consistent with plot points from the dozens of films, shows & animated projects that have come from DC in the past. But nothing is canon until CC [Creature Commandos] and Legacy.”

“Nothing is canon until Creature Commandos next year — a sort of aperitif to the DCU — & then a deeper dive into the universe with Superman: Legacy after that. It’s a very human drive to want to understand everything all the time, but I think its okay to be confused on what’s happening in the DCU since no one has seen anything from the DCU yet.”