For the previous decade, Warner Bros. Discovery didn’t create a cinematic universe that lived as much as DC’s beloved comedian ebook characters. That may change with James Gunn and Peter Safran’s new DCU.
Gunn and Safran got full management over DC Studios in 2022 and tasked with making a decade-long storyline spawning motion pictures, TV reveals, and even video video games. To this point, Gunn and Safran have been protecting the brand new DCU underneath an absolute veil of secrecy, and nobody can inform what their formidable storyline will seem like. Nevertheless, we have already got an in depth checklist of films and TV reveals at the moment in growth.
Gunn and Safran revealed that their decade-long storyline can be cut up into two chapters. The primary chapter, aptly named “Gods and Monsters,” includes 5 theatrical releases and 5 TV reveals. As well as, DC Studios has confirmed that another film and two full seasons can be added to this packed schedule. Right here’s each DCU undertaking Gunn and Safran are at the moment growing.
Creature Commandos
- Launch date: Late 2024
- Showrunner: James Gunn
Creature Commandos relies on an obscure DC superteam made solely of basic monsters. Gunn wrote the script for all seven episodes, and has already confirmed that he’s the grasp of utilizing comparatively unknown characters to create deeply emotional tales, a feat he managed with each the Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy and The Suicide Squad. It’s solely honest to imagine that he’ll handle to make us additionally fall in love with the Creature Commandos.
Though their collection can be animated, Gunn and Safran have already determined that whoever voices a DCU character will play the identical position in any live-action undertaking reusing the identical heroes and villains. Contemplating that Commandos has a star-studded voice solid, the present will give followers an appetizer of thrilling issues to come back.
Notable voice expertise consists of Sean Gunn as G.I. Robotic/Weasel, Frank Grillo as Rick Flag Sr., Maria Bakalova as Princess Ilana Rostovic, Alan Tudyk as Dr. Phosphorus, and David Harbour as Eric Frankenstein. Moreover, Steve Agee will seem as John Economos, and Viola Davis will return as Amanda Waller. Since these characters have been a part of The Suicide Squad, Gunn’s first DC film will most likely be integrated into the brand new DCU.
Superman
- Launch date: July 11, 2025
- Author/Director: James Gunn
If Creature Commandos is the brand new DCU appetizer, Superman is the principle dish. Beforehand often known as Superman: Legacy, the following cinematic adaptation of the Man of Metal will set the tone for the entire DCU and probably present Warner Bros. Discovery that Gunn and Safran can pull off a large field workplace haul. Or the film will flop, and the brand new DCU is perhaps buried proper because it begins. The stakes have hardly ever been greater for a single cinematic undertaking, so Gunn himself took the duty of penning the script and directing the film.
As an alternative of a brand new origin story, Superman takes place years after the Son of Krypton revealed his existence to the world. That explains why the film will star a number of heroes and villains, together with Nathan Fillion as Man Gardner, Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl, Edi Gathegi as Mister Terrific, Anthony Carrigan as Metamorpho, María Gabriela de Faría as The Engineer, Sean Gunn as Maxwell Lord, and Milly Alcock as Supergirl.
As for the titular character, David Corenswet was chosen because the DCU’s Man of Metal, with Rachel Brosnahan taking part in Lois Lane. Nicholas Hoult will painting the villainous Lex Luthor.
Peacemaker (Season 2)
- Launch date: TBA
- Showrunner: James Gunn
Whereas the primary season of Peacemaker was aired earlier than the DCU reboot, Gunn has already written the script for the eight episodes of Season 2. Meaning Peacemaker can be absorbed into the brand new DCU, a sensible film from DC Studios. Peacemaker is a direct spinoff of Gunn’s The Suicide Squad, starring John Cena because the titular vigilante. The primary season balanced comedy and character development completely, so it might be a disgrace if the story went to the garbage can after the DCU reboot.
Since Steve Agee’s John Economos and Viola Davis’ Amanda Waller are coming to Creature Commandos after showing in The Suicide Squad and Peacemaker, we anticipate Season 2 of Peacemaker to be extra entangled with the final DCU. Moreover, because the episodes have been drafted, Gunn ought to sort out Season 2 of Peacemaker as quickly as he’s carried out capturing Superman.
The Authority
In 1992, comedian ebook legend Jim Lee created the WildStorm universe to put in writing superhero tales exterior the constraints of Marvel/DC. DC finally purchased the WildStorm universe, utilizing the Multiverse as an excuse to include some characters into their principal line of comedian books. That’s exactly what occurred with The Authority, a superteam getting their very own film within the new DCU.
The members of the Authority imagine that the ends justify the means when pursuing world peace, which leads them to take villainous actions in opposition to crime, resembling killing sure social teams or depositing elected leaders. So, whereas the Authority thinks of itself as a group of heroes, they’re typically portrayed as antagonists to the Justice League. The Engineer is among the core members of the Authority, and she is going to seem within the Superman film, performed by María Gabriela de Faría. Meaning even earlier than The Authority hits theaters, Gunn will already use its characters in different tales.
Waller
- Launch date: TBA
- Showrunner: Christal Henry & Jeremy Carver
Waller will give Viola Davis her personal TV present because the ruthless Amanda Waller, after a few years of taking part in the character in a number of DC tasks. The collection will observe the titular character after the occasions of Peacemaker Season 1, when Amanda Waller’s darkish deeds have been uncovered to the entire world.
Waller was initially deliberate to hit Max earlier than the second season of Peacemaker. Nevertheless, the collection acquired pushed again as a result of author’s strike of 2023. Now, Waller is anticipated to premiere after Season 2 of Peacemaker, that means each tales should be tweaked to turn into coherent components of the bigger DCU.
The Courageous and The Daring
- Launch date: TBA
- Director: Andy Muschietti
The Courageous and the Daring will introduce a brand new Batman to the DCU, accompanied by the Damian Wayne iteration of Robin. For these needing a reminder, Damian is the organic son of Bruce Wayne, who was initially skilled by the League of Shadows earlier than being rescued and became a hero by his father.
The Courageous and the Daring will concentrate on the prolonged Bat Household and draw inspiration from Grant Morrison’s 2006-2013 run of the Batman comedian books. After directing The Flash, Andy Muschietti was chosen to helm The Courageous and the Daring. Whereas which may concern followers, since The Flash is horrible, Muschietti deserves the advantage of the doubt. The disastrous results of The Flash was as a consequence of a few years of growth hell and the fixed meddling of Warner Bros. Discovery executives. However, Muschietti proved to be an excellent soldier and took the blame for the film. So, he deserves the possibility to point out what he can do when granted artistic freedom.
Lanterns
In accordance with Gunn and Safran, Lanterns will work as a detective story by which the Inexperienced Lanterns examine a cosmic thriller on Earth. As an alternative of specializing in a selected iteration of the hero, the TV present will characteristic Hal Jordan and John Stweart. Hal Jordan is the unique comedian ebook Inexperienced Lantern, whereas John Stweart turned well-known because of the fan-favorite animated Justice League animated collection. Since Nathan Fillion will seem as Man Gardner in Superman, he’ll possible reprise this Inexperienced Lantern within the collection, too.
Whereas Gunn and Safran have been taking part in coy in regards to the new DCU, they revealed Lanterns is among the principal tasks they’re growing. That’s as a result of the thriller the Lanterns will examine within the present is related to the overarching risk that can unfold all through the DCU.
Supergirl: Lady of Tomorrow
- Launch date: TBA
- Author: Ana Nogueira
Impressed by the comedian ebook miniseries of the identical identify by King and Bilquis Evely, Supergirl: Lady of Tomorrow will observe the tragic story of Milly Alcock as Kara Zor-El, Superman’s cousin. Whereas Superman was despatched to Earth to be raised by a loving household, Kara grew up in a fraction of Krypton, watching everybody she beloved die whereas she floated via area. The film will inform this story and clarify the totally different personalities of the 2 Kryptonians.
Gunn and Safran described Supergirl: Lady of Tomorrow as a “sci-fi epic,” which suggests the film will almost certainly happen in area and discover Kara’s journey. Since Kara already seems in Superman, Supergirl:Lady of Tomorrow is perhaps a prequel.
Paradise Misplaced
Paradise Misplaced takes place in Themyschera, the all-female island the place Marvel Lady is born. Set earlier than the delivery of Diana, the collection guarantees to ship a gripping political drama not in contrast to Recreation of Thrones. The TV present’s title appears to reference Paradise Island Misplaced, a comic book ebook story by Phil Jimenez and George Pérez that offers with a civil struggle on the fabled island.
Since Marvel Lady is canonically a whole lot of years outdated, Paradise Misplaced will happen within the DCU’s far previous. The selection to return in time a lot permits Gunn and Safran to create a wholesome distance from Gal Gadot’s Marvel Lady, who won’t be again within the new DCU after Marvel Lady 3 acquired canceled. So, the brand new DCU can discover Themyschera’s historical past and mythology whereas taking the time to seek out Gadot’s substitute.
Swamp Factor
- Launch date: TBA
- Author/Director: James Mangold
Swamp Factor explores the origins of considered one of DC’s most beloved horror characters. The film can be written and directed by James Mangold, the person behind the fan-favorite Marvel adaptation Logan.
Swamp Factor is especially impressed by Alan Moore’s The Saga of the Swamp Factor comedian ebook run, an unsettling physique horror story that would end result within the scariest DC film ever. Because of Alan Moore, Swamp Factor turned a fan-favorite character, so Mangold has the huge weight of expectations over his shoulders. Nevertheless, in response to Gunn, Swamp Factor is a pet undertaking for the director, which is at all times good to listen to. Superhero motion pictures are higher when they’re made by individuals who care in regards to the property they’re adapting.
Booster Gold
Booster Gold is the final DCU collection within the “God of Monsters” story arc. In DC Comics, Booster Gold is a disgraced soccer star from the twenty fifth century who travels again in time to realize fame as a superhero. Because of the superior expertise he brings again in time, Booster Gold has the ability to face supervillains and group up with different superheroes. Nevertheless, he lacks the know-how of the superhero enterprise, which frequently results in comedic conditions.
It’s value noting that Booster Gold incessantly groups up with Blue Beetle within the comedian books. Nobody is aware of if Xolo Maridueña’s model of Blue Bettle can be integrated into the DCU, however the Booster Gold TV present is a superb car to convey the hero again.
Teen Titans
- Launch date: TBA
- Author: Ana Nogueira
Even when Gunn and Safran laid out their entire plan for the “Gods and Monsters” arc, a Teen Titans film can be being developed by DC Studios. Meaning it is perhaps some time earlier than Teen Titans hit theaters. Even so, the undertaking already has a author hooked up to it, Ana Nogueira, who’s additionally penning the Supergirl film.
The Teen Titans are a supergroup classically shaped by the sidekicks of DC’s biggest heroes and different younger crimefighters. Whereas there’s a preferred animated collection in regards to the group at the moment airing, Teen Titans Go!, the grounded nature of the DCU signifies the live-action film ought to draw inspiration from diversifications resembling Younger Justice.
Arkham Asylum collection
- Launch date: TBA
- Showrunner: Antonio Campos
After the success of Matt Reeves’ The Batman, the filmmaker signed a multi-year cope with Warner Bros. Discovery to maintain growing his Bat-verse. Reeves is at the moment engaged on a by-product collection in regards to the Penguin and two The Batman sequels. Sooner or later, he was additionally on high of a undertaking in regards to the Gotham Police Division and Arkham Asylum.
Final we heard about this undertaking, the collection had been taken over by showrunner Antonio Campos and refurbished as a DCU undertaking. Meaning the Arkham Asylum TV present can be set within the central DCU as an alternative of the Elseworlds universe Reeves has been constructing.