When both James Gunn and Peter Safran were announced as the new co-CEO’s of DC Studios in October of 2022, they revealed their intentions to reset the DC Cinematic Universe and transform it into something akin to what Marvel and Kevin Fiege have put together: an interconnected universe of films and characters operating independently and collectively throughout a vast, interconnected story.
“It was one of our jobs, mine and Peter’s, to come in and make sure the DCU is connected in film, television, gaming and animation. That the characters are consistent, played by the same actors, and it works within one story.” Gunn said in a video posted on his twitter account earlier today.
Now Today, on January 31st, 2023, just under the self-imposed deadline of February 1st, Gunn and Safran have revealed the first slate of films and tv shows coming to phase 1 of the new DC Universe.
The new DC is split into two parts: One being the DC Universe, and the other being dubbed “Elseworlds” that includes stories unrelated to the larger universe. Here’s what has been announced for each.
Elseworlds
Gunn identified 4 projects that will reside in this category of DC:
Matt Reeves’ The Batman Part II: Following the story of Bruce Wayne from 2022’s The Batman, this film will continue to star Robert Pattinson in the titular role and is slated for release on October 3, 2025.
Todd Phillips’ Joker: Folie à Deux: Continuing the story of Joaquin Phoenix’s Joker, this film is still slated for an October 4, 2024 release date.
Untitled Black Superman Project: Little is known about this project from J.J. Abrams and Ta-Nehisi Coates, however it will fall into DC Elseworlds upon its release.
Teen Titans Go: The Popular animated show on Cartoon Network that has been running for 7 seasons since 2013 will not be included in the larger DC Universe but will continue to be made un DC Elseworlds
DC Universe Chapter 1: Gods And Monsters
In his twitter video, Gunn identified stated that the current slate of films scheduled for this year- Shazam! Fury of the Gods (March 17), The Flash (June 16) Blue Beetle (August 18) and Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (December 25th)- will not be affected by the announcement and will help kick off DC’s first Chapter. Gunn even calls The Flash “probably one of the greatest superhero movies ever made”
Gunn continued by saying that the four leads of those films could continue to play those roles in further DC Projects. This comes amongst controversy for The Flash star Ezra Miller, who has been wrapped up in criminal investigations in recent months, yet has assured executives they are seeking help.
“One of our strategies is to take our diamond characters, which is Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, and we use them to prop up other characters that people don’t know,” Gunn explained on the announcement panel. While plans may shift, and with the caveat that this is not the entirety of Chapter 1 projects, here is what Gunn and Safran announced for Chapter 1.
Creature Commandos: a 7 episode animated series currently in production with episodes written by Gunn and specifically identified as a project with “characters who move into animation, out of animation, usually having the same actor play their voice as who plays them in live action.”
Waller: TV Show about Amanda Waller, with Viola Davis returning in the role she originally played in 2016’s Suicide Squad, teaming up with members from Gunn’s current show Peacemaker on HBO Max. The show will be written by Christal henry (Watchmen) and Jeremy Carver, creator of Doom Patrol.
Superman: Legacy: Identified as “The True Beginning of the DCU” and being written by Gunn himself. Superman: Legacy will not see the return of Henry Cavill in the titular role, with Gunn opting to look elsewhere for an actor to fit the role he is writing. This film is set to release July 11, 2025
Lanterns: An HBO Television series described as a “Terrestrial based TV Show almost like True Detective”, following the story of two lanterns: Hal Jordan and John Stewart as “Space cops watching over precinct: Earth”. This show will introduce what ties the entire DCU together according to Gunn.
The Authority: A passion project for Gunn, based on the WildStorm characters, the film will feature the group of characters who “think the world is broken and they want to fix it by any means necessary”
Paradise Lost: A “Game of Thrones” style story surrounding the story of Paradise Island, the birthplace of Wonder Woman. That takes place before the events of the Wonder Woman films.
The Brave and The Bold: The DC Universe’s introduction to Batman, which will feature Bruce Wayne and his son Damien Wayne. Based on Grant Morrison’s comic run, this will begin the “Bat-Family” as described by Gunn.
Booster Gold: A cult favorite among comic fans now as an HBO Max series described as a story about a “loser from the future who uses future technology to come back to the present day and become a super hero so that people will love him”.
Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow: Based on Tom King’s 2022 run, this is now being turned into a “big, science fiction epic film.”
Swamp Thing: The last of the reveals by Gunn and Safran, Swamp thing is described as a very dark horror story that explores the origins of the character.
“Storytelling is always king, that’s all that matters to us” Gunn said towards the end of his announcement video on Twitter. It certainly seems the DCU now has a focus and a goal that aligns with that vision.
