The co-chairs and co-CEOs of DC Studios lay out the future for their live-action and animated projects. 

In October 2022, Warner Bros. Discovery installed filmmakers James Gunn and Peter Safran to run their new look DC Studios. Since then, there has been plenty of speculation as high-profile castings have fallen by the wayside; seemingly looking to wipe most of the slate clean, we know that Henry Cavill’s Superman and Ben Affleck’s Batman are not likely to be seen again.

However, thanks to a series of announcements, we know what the next few years are going to look like; the pair have given details of a slate which includes 10 movies and television series. If you want to watch Gunn give the news out, he’s shared his thoughts in vision:

Here are just a few of our plans. Up, up, and away! #DCStudios #DCU @DCComics pic.twitter.com/8XNDNLUEPq

— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) January 31, 2023

They’ve also placed a number of already-commissioned projects outside their DCU in a separate “Elseworlds” category. Interestingly, there’s also an intention that once a character is cast, they’ll use that actor across both film and television projects.

The following details some (but not all) of what is termed ‘Chapter 1: Gods and Monsters’:

Creature Commandos (animated TV series)

Written by James Gunn, this is a seven-episode series about a group of military superhumans including a human leader, a werewolf, a vampire, Frankenstein’s monster and a gorgon. The project is based on Weird War Tales #93 (November 1980), created by J. M. DeMatteis and Pat Broderick, will include the character Weasel from Gunn’s own movie The Suicide Squad.

Waller (live-action TV series)

Centered around Amanda Waller (Viola Davis) of the Suicide Squad movies, the show will air on HBO Max. It’s being written by Chrystal Henry (Watchmen) and Jeremy Carver (Doom Patrol), to slot into the gap between Peacemaker seasons 1 and 2.

Superman Legacy (Movie – release date July 11th 2025)

That gap between Peacemaker seasons is primarily down to Superman Legacy, the relaunch of the character Gunn is currently focusing on. The movie is described as the proper start of the new DCU.

As Peter Safran describes it: “It is not an origin story, it focuses on Superman balancing his Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing… He is kindness in a world that thinks of kindness as old fashioned.”

Lanterns (HBO Max live-action TV series)

Brining the Green Lanterns to our screens, this series will focus on the characters of Hal Jordan and John Stewart. From creatives Finn Wittrock and Jeremy Irvine, it’s going to be a show in the vein of True Detective.

The Authority (Movie)

This is a tale of anti-heroes who take matters into their own hands despite what governments advise. It’s based on the Warren Ellis and Bryan Hitch comic book and will incorporate characters from DC’s Wildstorm imprint into the DCU.

Paradise Lost (TV Series)

Digging into Wonder Woman’s past, Paradise Lost is the tale of Themiscyra before the birth of Diana. Suggested as a Game of Thrones-ish story, Gunn asks: “What’s the origin of an island of all women? What are the beautiful truths and the ugly truths behind all of that, and what’s the scheming like between the different power players in that society?”

The Brave and the Bold (Movie)

Distinct from Matt Reeves upcoming The Batman sequel, this movie will introduce Batman into the DCU. Based on Grant Morrison’s comic run, we’ll meet Bruce Wayne/Batman and his Bat family including Damian Wayne (Robin).

Gunn describes Damian as an “… Assassin, murderer who Batman takes on, who is Batman’s actual son that he doesn’t know exists for the first 8-10 years of his life….it’s a strange father and son story about the two of them.” Expect a new actor to don the cowl.

Booster Gold (HBO Max live-action TV series)

This is a tale about a loser from the future, who uses future technology to come back to today, and pretend to be a superhero. James Gunn sums it up as: “Imposter syndrome as a superhero.”

Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow (Movie)

Based on Tom King’s 2022 comic book series, this features a quite different take on Superman’s cousin.

Gunn says: “In our series we see the difference between Superman who was sent to Earth and raised by loving parents from the time he was an infant, versus Supergirl who was raised on a rock, a chip off Krypton, and watched everyone around her die and be killed in terrible ways for the first 14 years of her life, and then came to Earth when she was a young girl. She’s much more hardcore, she’s not exactly the Supergirl we’re use to seeing.”

Swamp Thing (Movie)

Placed tonally as a horror movie, the Swamp Thing film promises to explore the dark origins of the character.

DC Elseworlds

Various projects on the go will find a home in the newly coined Elseworlds category. These include Matt Reeves The Batman sequel starring Robert Pattinson (due on October 3rd, 2025) and Todd Phillips’ Joker sequel Joker: Folie à Deux.

Additionally, the already announced Shazam! Fury of the Gods, The Flash, Blue Beetle and Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom will all appear as planned. As will the CW television shows Gotham Knights and Superman & Lois, plus the HBO Max series Pennyworth.

Crikey, there’s a lot to digest there… if you have questions (Oh, so many questions!), io9 have posted a great interview with Gunn and Safran that’s well worth a look.

And CultBox will endeavour to keep you posted!