James Gunn, co-CEO of DC Studios, revealed that the DC Universe will soon see significant growth in animated content, particularly targeting younger audiences. With 2026 poised to be a milestone year featuring multiple HBO Max projects such as Lanterns, Supergirl, and Clayface, Gunn emphasized that the expansion will go beyond live-action, exploring various animation opportunities within the franchise.
Responding to a fan query on Threads about the possibility of more DC kids’ cartoons, Gunn confirmed enthusiastically, “Absolutely. A few.” This highlights his commitment to developing animated stories that complement the broader DC Universe, with a special focus on children’s programming.
Current Animated Projects and Future Possibilities
To date, the DC Universe’s sole kids’ animated project is Krypto Saves the Day!, a short-form series produced by Warner Bros. Animation and DC Studios. This series consists of three brief episodes, each running between five and six minutes, featuring the same version of Krypto seen alongside Superman in 2025. Krypto’s adventures involve heroic acts in Metropolis, including saving a school bus, rescuing a cruise ship, and resolving a Halloween candy emergency, showcasing powers not previously depicted in the feature film.
While no other animated shorts have been officially announced beyond the Krypto series, DC Studios, led by Gunn and fellow co-CEO Peter Safran, is set to expand its slate with three live-action projects in the current Chapter 1: Gods and Monsters timeline: Supergirl, Lanterns, and Clayface. Additionally, Krypto Saves the Day! is accessible for streaming on HBO Max.
Exploring New Animation Projects Within the DC Universe
There are several promising avenues for DC’s animation expansion beyond Krypto, including the much-anticipated Blue Beetle animated series. This show, confirmed in 2024, will feature Xolo Maridueña reprising his live-action role from the 2023 Blue Beetle movie. Maridueña is expected to begin voice recording sessions soon, with hopes that this series might premiere before the year’s end.
James Gunn is also developing other animation projects focusing on notable characters such as Starfire from Teen Titans. These could take the form of short episodes similar to Creature Commandos rather than full-length series. Additional shows in progress include My Adventures with Green Lantern and DC Super Powers, the latter possibly offering a platform for brief story arcs centered on the DC Universe’s flagship heroes.
Though many details are still being finalized behind the scenes, Gunn has made it clear that expanding non-live-action narratives remains a significant priority for DC Studios. This approach aims to diversify how stories are told across formats, engaging wider audiences with fresh content in the coming years.
What This Means for Fans and the DC Universe’s Future
James Gunn’s focus on growing the DC Universe’s animation side reflects a broader strategy to enhance the franchise’s presence across multiple entertainment platforms. By developing a range of animated series, especially for kids, DC Studios is poised to attract new viewers and deepen engagement with longtime fans. The release of several live-action projects alongside these animated works signals an ambitious year ahead for DC content.
This expansion could strengthen the DC brand’s foothold on streaming services like HBO Max while offering a variety of storytelling styles and formats. Fans can anticipate a richer mix of adventures that bring beloved characters such as Supergirl, Clayface, and others to life in innovative ways, ultimately shaping the future direction of the DC Universe.
“Absolutely. A few.” – James Gunn, DC Studios Co-CEO
