James Gunn and Peter Safran, the new co-heads of DC Studios, have finally revealed their strategy for the DC Universe (DCU) after months of rumours, uncertainty, and instability. Gunn and Safran discussed in-depth which characters and tales they will include in the DC Universe during a press conference that was conducted on Monday, January 30. They also stressed their intention to deliver a significant story in just two chapters. Gunn and Safran have already stated which films and television programmes will be included in Chapter 1 of the new DC Universe, popularly known as “Gods and Monsters,” even though we still don’t know much about their eventual goal.
DC Studios is currently working on five films and five television shows, the majority of which will centre on well-known characters like Superman and the Creatures Commandos, two relatively unexplored facets of the IP. In addition, Gunn and Safran have discussed how they will handle upcoming DC films that are already in theatres, how Matt Reeves’ BatVerse will survive, and what kinds of stories they plan to make in the future. Here is an overview of everything DC recently announced.
Booster Gold
Gunn and Safran are pushing forward with a TV programme about the beloved character Booster Gold after listening to the cries of the people. In keeping with comic books, the Booster Gold series would follow a loser who goes back in time and attempts to become a superhero by using modern technology as his source of power. Blue Beetle and Booster Gold frequently team up in comic books, which gives us optimism that the Latinx character may stick around the DCU for a while as well.
Creature Commandos
Creature Commandos, a seven-episode animated series based on the same-named DC Comics team, is the first TV programme to be released in the DCU. The Creature Commandos are a group Amanda Waller assembled that includes some of DC’s most horrifying figures. All seven of the currently being produced episodes of the series were written by Gunn. Additionally, as Gunn emphasises, the new DCU animated projects want to use voice actors who can also portray their roles in live-action productions.
Lanterns
Lanterns, a television series that focuses on the two most adored Green Lanterns in DC Comics history—Hal Jordan and John Stewart—will emerge from the murkiest days of the Warner Bros. Discovery merger. The show will depict the Green:anterns as space cops looking into a sinister crime that occurs on Earth and is inspired by investigative dramas like HBO’s True Detective.
Matt Reeves’ BatVerse is Safe Thanks to “Elseworlds”
The “Gods and Monsters” plot will start fresh with The Flash, but Gunn and Safran also said they are bringing the “Elseworlds” concept from DC Comics into their DCU. That means there will still be DC stories, they will just take place in a another timeframe and not be considered canon. This is true of Todd Phillips’ Joker series, Matt Reeves’ BatVerse, and even animated shows like Teen Titans GO! In the instance of Reeves, Gunn and Safran highlighted how the director will continue with his trilogy plan while also broadening his vision for Gotham City through TV series like The Penguin. On October 3, 2025, Reeves’ The Batman 2 will also hit theatres.
Paradise Lost
Paradise Lost, a political drama set in Themyscira, the home of Wonder Woman, is the final TV project currently under development at DC Studios. The series, which takes place years before Diana was born, will examine Themyscira’s political conflicts as many Amazons vie for control. The television programme is anticipated to act as a history of Themyscira and explain how the Amazons established a secret all-female society.
Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow
Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, which is anticipated to be released two years after Superman Legacy, would examine a distinctive character version of Kal-cousin El’s Kara Zor-El. Kara floated through space in a shattered piece of Krypton, seeing nothing but death and destruction while Kal found a loving family on Earth. Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, which draws inspiration from Tom King’s novel interpretation of the popular character, aims to demonstrate how heroes can be created from quite varied backgrounds.
Superman Legacy
Undoubtedly one of the most significant heroes in the DC Universe is Superman. Superman Legacy, which will be released in theatres on July 11, 2025, will be the first theatrical presentation of the “Gods and Monsters” storyline. Superman Legacy’s script is being written by Gunn himself, however the film lacks a director. In addition, Gunn and Safran said that despite the film’s focus on Superman’s dual lineage as a Kryptonian and Earth’s protector, this wouldn’t be another origin narrative for the superhero.
Swamp Thing
Swamp Thing, which is based on DC’s most well-known horror character, is the most recent movie to be confirmed for the “Gods and Monsters” chapter. Safran stated that the plot will “explore the dark origins” of the character despite the fact that there is little information available about the film. Fans can therefore anticipate that the DCU will be influenced by Alan Moore’s adored comic book series.
The Authority
The Authority, a film based on the contentious superteam of the WildStorm label, is another project on which Gunn is now actively working on the script. The Authority is a superteam that frequently violates moral boundaries in order to accomplish its goals since they are so focused on preserving the globe. The heroes of The Authority frequently behave like villains because they think that the ends justify the methods. Gunn and Safran are integrating the WildStorm characters into the DC Universe, even though The Authority was originally intended to be a part of its own superhero universe.
The Brave and the Bold
Gunn and Safran have revealed that “Gods and Monsters” would also include The Brave and the Bold, a film centred on the extended Bat Family, while Reeves is handling his “Elseworlds” version of Batman. More specifically, the upcoming movie will highlight Damian Wayne in a father-son tale drawn from Grant Morrison’s comic book series. Additionally, a new talent will play the Dark Knight in The Brave and the Bold.
The Flash Will Reset the DCU
Currently, Shazam! Fury of the Gods, The Flash, Blue Beetle, and Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom are the four DC films scheduled to hit theatres in the upcoming months. These films were created under the previous management of DC Studios and were not intended to be a part of a longer narrative, hence they are not considered to be a part of the DCU’s multi-year strategy. That doesn’t mean Gunn and Safran are abandoning all of these projects, either. In reality, they used The Flash movie to reset the timeline in order to make everything canon-adjacent. Since the upcoming film is about time travel and other dimensions, it also gives DC Studios the chance to obtain a blank slate to fill with their ambitious schedule of films and TV shows. Additionally, the plan will let Gunn and Safran reuse some DCU actors without worrying about continuity.
Waller
Unfortunately, Doom Patrol was cancelled, but the show’s creator, Jeremy Carver, will team up with Watchmen author Christal Henry to revive the Waller series. The series, which will directly follow Peacemaker and star Viola Davis as Amanda Waller, will also include characters from Gunn’s earlier DC shows. Therefore, even after The Flash resets the multiverse, Peacemaker and Suicide Squad will still be considered canon in the DC Universe.
