On January 31, 2023, James Gunn and Peter Safran announced the first slate for the DC Universe, named Chapter One: Gods and Monsters, featuring 10 movies and TV shows. This slate marked the beginning of their efforts to establish a renewed foundation for the DC Universe under DC Studios, which they started leading in November 2022. Three years later, the outcomes of these projects show a mix of progress, delays, and cancellations, reflecting the unpredictable nature of such ambitious cinematic plans. The James Gunn DCU slate, central to this transformation, now appears significantly different from its original blueprint.
Out of the initial ten announced productions, only four have genuinely advanced. These include two released works and two others nearing release. The remaining six projects face uncertain futures or have yet to see substantial development.
Four Projects Making Real Progress
The announced slate featured a mix of five films and five television series, but only four of these have moved beyond preliminary stages or premiere dates. The four projects are Creature Commandos, Superman, Supergirl, and Lanterns.
Creature Commandos, an animated HBO Max series, launched early in 2025. The show centers on Amanda Waller’s formation of Task Force M, led by Rick Flag Sr. and the Bride. It found success among viewers and is currently in production for a second season, establishing a firm foothold for Gunn and Safran’s vision.
Superman, originally titled Superman: Legacy, represents the core of the new DCU. Written and directed by Gunn, it was released on its planned date of July 11, 2025. Gunn stated at the announcement that the movie
is the true foundation of our creative vision for the DC Universe.
Audiences responded positively to performances by David Corenswet as Clark Kent, Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor, with the film grossing $616 million worldwide.
Following closely is Supergirl, directed by Craig Gillespie and starring Milly Alcock reprising her role as Kara Zor-El after a cameo in Superman. This film adapts Tom King’s acclaimed comic book run and is scheduled for release on June 26, 2026, becoming the DCU’s second movie and fourth overall project. Although Peacemaker season 2 also released in 2025, it had been in development before Gunn and Safran’s leadership.
The fourth advancing project is Lanterns, an HBO Max series starring Aaron Pierre as John Stewart and Kyle Chandler as Hal Jordan. The narrative promises a detective-style story set mostly on Earth, incorporating classic Green Lantern lore. Its release is anticipated for late summer 2026.
Uncertainty Surrounds Six Other Projects
Despite the forward movement of those four projects, the status of the remaining six original announcements remains uncertain. These include three feature films—The Authority, The Brave and the Bold, and Swamp Thing—alongside three TV series—Waller, Booster Gold, and Paradise Lost.
The Authority was once expected to arrive quickly within the DCU slate, yet as of early 2025, James Gunn confirmed the project was on the back burner. No director has been attached, and Gunn has indicated hesitation about whether to adapt lesser-known characters on the big screen versus television, casting doubt on if or when this project will materialize.
The Brave and the Bold aims to introduce Batman’s DCU live-action debut, focusing on Bruce Wayne teaming up with his son Damian Wayne. The film, with Andy Muschietti directing and Christina Hodson writing, continues its development. However, production timing is complicated by the existence of Matt Reeves’ The Batman Part II, which was postponed from October 2025 to October 2027. James Gunn emphasized that the studio wants to avoid release conflicts with Reeves’ film, causing delays in this movie’s arrival.
Swamp Thing had early momentum when James Mangold was announced as writer and director shortly after Chapter One was revealed. Nevertheless, Mangold’s commitments to other projects, including a Star Wars film and a Universal project called A Complete Unknown, have sidelined Swamp Thing, leaving its future uncertain.
On television, the expected 2024 release of Waller between Peacemaker seasons 1 and 2 was postponed due to industry strikes in 2023. Since the second season finished airing, DC Studios has provided no further updates about Waller’s status.
The planned Booster Gold series, a comedy involving Michael Carter in the lead role, brought David Jenkins aboard as writer and showrunner in July 2025; however, no casting or production timeline has been confirmed since then.
Paradise Lost, announced as a series exploring the Amazons on Themyscira, has remained in silence with no creative team announced, raising questions about whether it will ever be completed or released.
Expansion of the DCU Slate Beyond Initial Announcements
Despite delays with the original six pending projects, DC Studios has not stalled in crafting new films and series to keep expanding the DCU. These fresh titles show how the slate has evolved and expanded beyond the original ten.
Clayface, an upcoming body horror film scripted by Mike Flanagan and directed by James Watkins, is poised for release on September 11, 2026. Its accelerated development timeline allowed it to leap ahead of several Chapter One projects.
The success of Superman prompted the announcement of Man of Tomorrow, with James Gunn returning as writer and director. The movie will feature Superman and Lex Luthor joining forces against Brainiac (portrayed by Lars Eidinger). It is intended to connect the narratives of Superman and Peacemaker season 2, marking the DCU’s inaugural crossover event film, scheduled for release on July 9, 2027.
DC Studios is also fast-tracking a new Wonder Woman film. Initially announced in June 2025, Ana Noguiera was later confirmed as the writer. With the studio aiming to release only two films annually, Wonder Woman stands as a likely 2028 release.
Additionally, an animated feature called Dynamic Duo, focusing on Dick Grayson and Jason Todd teaming up, is set for June 30, 2028. While not technically a DCU project, it is produced by both James Gunn and Matt Reeves, linking it to the broader DC creative ecosystem.
Other Projects With Uncertain Futures
The film Sgt. Rock illustrates the challenges within the slate’s development. Initially, Luca Guadagnino was attached to direct, with Colin Farrell starring, but production delays caused Guadagnino to step away. Whether the project will be revived with a different team remains unclear.
On television, animated projects such as the Blue Beetle series, featuring Xolo Maridueña reprising his role as Jaime Reyes, and the Mister Miracle series, showrun by Tom King, have been confirmed as part of the DCU canon by James Gunn earlier this year.
Rumors persist regarding additional planned movies including Teen Titans and adventures featuring villains like Bane and Deathstroke. Like many DC Studios initiatives, some details remain under wraps, indicating that more announcements and surprises will likely arrive in time.
Reasons Behind the Slate’s Shifting Landscape
Three years after the original DCU slate announcement, it is evident that the list of projects has drastically transformed, with fewer than half completed or underway and new titles overtaking some first announced works. This level of change is not unusual for expansive cinematic universes, as seen in both the MCU and prior DC approaches.
One of the challenges inherent in revealing extensive slates is the frequent reassessment and adjustment based on creative and practical considerations. By avoiding attaching release dates to many projects, Gunn and Safran preserved flexibility, though delayed productions such as The Brave and the Bold invite increasing speculation about their viability.
James Gunn has consistently stated that no project begins filming without fully finished scripts, reflecting lessons learned from other cinematic universes. This approach favors quality and creative readiness over rushing to meet predetermined release dates.
Though frustrating for fans awaiting certain titles, this patient and cautious development process aims to ensure these projects meet high standards. The hope remains that the outstanding Chapter One announcements will gradually advance as the DC Universe gears up for the Gods and Monsters phase, defining the next chapter in the evolving saga of DC Studios.
