So, since the world is low key ending all around us, obviously the other day my mind was occupied with remembering a tweet from Bendis about how he'll be having some character's you wouldn't normally expect still alive and well in the 31st century. The most famous example of current day characters living to see the 31st century in Legion lore is Darkseid in The Great Darkness Saga.
That also just so happens to be one of the most influential stories to Bendis' career (as he's alluded to on Word Balloon before). Bendis said that he was particularly interested in recreating the feeling of anticipation and surprise from The Great Darkness Saga in his other work, so one has to wonder: what happens when he's writing the actual Legion?
If I had to guess, I'd say he's likely not going to use Darkseid. I imagine it'll be like his work in the Ultimate Universe where things are remixed and outright changed to fit the context and modern sensibilities. See something like his version of the clone saga, Gwen's death, or even where Spider-Woman comes from.
So far my guesses for Bendis' version of the Great Darkness Saga are
Mongul - recently been shown to be effectively "immortal" in a sense, and he has a deep, deep hate for the United Planets.
Lex - Immortal billionaire fighting the team personification of gen Y and Z energy? Not the biggest leap.
Red Cloud - *shrugs* I dunno
Leviathan - They're base was shown in the two part mini leading up to Legion. Plus, their tech would only get more powerful over the centuries, I imagine.
Damian - I personally doubt this, but it's actually kind of got some legs to it. Ra's actually did show up in the Legion of Super-Heroes because via his Lazarus pits. If Damian ends up becoming whatever the Legion fear him becoming, maybe he takes over the pits in Ra's place? The showdown between Jon and Damian would be quite the headliner for the book.
Thorn/Rose - Bendis alluded to the fact that right now we have no idea who the dominating persona for Rose Forest is. The idea could be that while Rose has come full circle to be totally rooting for the success of heroes, Thorn may be a straight up nihilist who Rose has been keep at bay? Or, hell, maybe Thorn is actually the one who was eventually won over by the ideals of heroism, and Rose has become a jaded nihilist? The Rose we see in Legion does seem to take little to no sh!t. May be a reformed Thorn?
Or, maybe it's someone else completely?
Vote and let everyone know your thoughts!