James Gunn has explained why his new DC Universe (DCU) begins by focusing on Kryptonian heroes, starting 12 years after the events of Man of Steel. The reboot kicked off with Gunn’s Superman film starring David Corenswet, followed by Supergirl, set for release in June 2026, establishing the Super-Family as central to this new chapter of DC storytelling.
The Reason Behind Superman and Supergirl’s Central Role
Gunn shared insights in the book Superman: The Art and Making of the Film, discussing his direction for DCU Chapter 1: Gods and Monsters. This phase, akin to Marvel’s Phase 1, was announced over two years before the Superman film premiered. Gunn emphasized his strategy to craft stories that work both independently and as part of a larger narrative.
He noted the vast array of DC characters available to build stories around, stating,
“You could throw a dart at a bulletin board of characters and build a world and classic story wherever the dart lands,”
highlighting the creative freedom in selecting characters.
“I just needed to focus on getting a few stories kick-started. The initial ones in Gods and Monsters were stories I thought I could work in a fun way, and that could work as individual stories and work as part of the larger story I wanted to tell. You can’t really go wrong with all the amazing DC characters out there. You could throw a dart at a bulletin board of characters and build a world and classic story wherever the dart lands.”
– James Gunn, Director and Writer
The “initial ones” Gunn referred to became the Superman film he wrote and directed, and Supergirl, which is written by Ana Nogueira and directed by Craig Gillespie. Together, these films form the foundation of the DCU’s first phase, with Superman’s sequel, Man of Tomorrow, also positioned within this framework.
Why Superman Was the Starting Point for the New DC Universe
Peter Safran, co-CEO alongside Gunn, reinforced the decision to begin with Superman. He made it clear,
“We had to start with Superman. He was our very first DC super-hero, and we are returning him to the center of the new DC Universe.”
“We had to start with Superman. He was our very first DC super-hero, and we are returning him to the center of the new DC Universe.”
– Peter Safran, Co-CEO, DC Studios
Safran praised Gunn’s previous success with characters that often have less weighty histories, saying Gunn has a unique ability to make such characters his own. However, everything changed when Gunn discovered his creative direction for Superman.
“James [Gunn], on the other hand, has really been drawn more to kind of the secondary and tertiary characters that don’t have a ton of baggage that he can really imbue with whatever characteristics he wants. And he’s done an incredible job with ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ and with ‘The Suicide Squad’ and with ‘Peacemaker.’ And then he called me one day, and he said, ‘I have a way in. I know what I want to talk about. I know what the themes of the movie should be.'”
– Peter Safran, Co-CEO, DC Studios
This conversation helped explain why Superman and, soon after, Supergirl became the groundwork for this rebooted DCU era. The creative clarity Gunn found has defined the start of the Gods and Monsters storyline.
Upcoming Kryptonian Stories and Their Release Timeline
The coming years promise an intense spotlight on the Kryptonian heroes within the DCU. Supergirl, played by Milly Alcock, will take the lead in her first major film on June 26, 2026. Marketing for the movie is expected to intensify soon, especially at CCXP 2025, where fans might see early glimpses of Kara Zor-El’s cosmic quest for revenge.
Following this, the Superman sequel Man of Tomorrow is scheduled for release on July 9, 2027. This film reportedly will feature a confrontation with Brainiac, a formidable villain making his live-action debut, alongside Superman’s long-time adversary Lex Luthor, played by Nicholas Hoult. This sequel is expected to play a significant role in expanding the scope of the DCU’s cosmic stories.
With these major projects, the Super-Family is set to anchor DC’s evolving narrative, expanding the universe’s mythos and setting up pivotal events for the future.
How the DCU Will Connect Its Expanding Storylines
The interconnected nature of the DCU’s stories is becoming more apparent as new projects are announced. Superman and Peacemaker, for example, have already crossed paths through Lex Luthor’s unexpected cameo in Peacemaker’s second season. This connection signals a greater interwoven storytelling strategy moving forward.
Upcoming shows like HBO’s Lanterns and the Supergirl film are expected to deepen DCU’s cosmic world-building. Lanterns will introduce the cosmic guardians responsible for overseeing the universe, while Supergirl’s brutal storyline will offer an intense look at Kara’s journey. Both projects will lay important groundwork for next-phase stories.
Man of Tomorrow is anticipated to be the first substantial crossover event, though it will stop short of a full Justice League team-up. Instead, it will weave together narrative threads from previous projects and hint at larger DC Universe confrontations.
As these stories converge, audiences can expect a more unified and expansive DC narrative set to build momentum in the coming years.
