On Tuesday, DC Studios CEO James Gunn gave us the first look at the upcoming movies and HBO Max shows produced by DC Studios. These projects feature both well-known characters like Batman and Supergirl and less well-known characters like Booster Gold, Creature Commandos, and The Authority.
The upcoming Superman film: The "true beginning" of the reborn superhero universe will be Legacy. In the movie, which is expected to be released in theaters on July 11, 2025, Henry Cavill will be replaced as the Man of Steel by a new actor.
In the same way that the Marvel Cinematic Universe has "phases," DC's upcoming slate is called "Gods and Monsters." This year marks phase 5. Together with fellow DC CEO Peter Safran, Gunn revealed that the majority of actors will play the same roles in both films and television, preventing any confusion regarding who will play the Flash on television and who will on the big screen. But they have also said that there will still be different versions of some characters, like the Joker and Batman sequels with Robert Pattinson and Joaquin Phoenix.
In a list that includes movies and HBO Max shows, Gunn, who is also known for his writing and directing work, laid out the initial plans for chapter 1:
Creature Commandos A seven-episode animated series written by Gunn.
Waller A live-action spinoff of the HBO Max series Peacemaker (which was in turn a spin-off from the Suicide Squad movies) featuring Viola Davis as the head of a secret government task force.
Superman: Legacy Written by Gunn, it won't feature Henry Cavill as the hero and isn't going to be an origin story. Instead, according to Safran, the film will focus on Superman "balancing his Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing." Imagery from artist Frank Quitely and writer Grant Morrison's beloved All-Star Superman comic story was shown as Gunn spoke about it.
Lanterns HBO Max TV series that follows Green Lanterns Hal Jordan and John Stewart. This superpowered space-cop show takes inspiration from True Detective, and follows our heroes as they solve a mystery on Earth.
The Authority A movie about an extreme superhero willing to use "any means necessary" to protect the planet. Ironically, The Authority began as a satire of DC superheroes, including parodic versions of Superman and Batman who were in a loving relationship, but DC bought the publisher Wildstorm and eventually absorbed the characters into mainstream DC comics continuity.
Paradise Lost A series set on Wonder Woman's island Themyscira, inspired by Game of Thrones.
The Brave and the Bold A movie that'll introduce the DCU's new Batman and the most obnoxious Robin: his son Damian Wayne, who was raised by assassins. Gunn cites Damian as his favorite Robin, and the movie takes its cues from Grant Morrison's comics run. This movie's Batman won't be played by Robert Pattinson, who portrayed the character in last year's The Batman.
Booster Gold A series about a loser from the future who uses future tech to come back to the present day and win people's love by becoming a superhero. It's "the superhero story of imposter syndrome," according to Gunn.
Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow A movie about Superman's cousin. It's a sci-fi story based on writer Tom King's 2022 comic series, and will highlight how Supergirl's difficult childhood made her turn more intense than Superman. It's yet to be confirmed if Sasha Calle will star after playing Supergirl in the upcoming Flash movie.
Swamp Thing A horror movie that'll round out the opening phase of movies and shows. Swamp Thing has appeared in live action before, in two '80s movies, a '90s TV show and a short-lived 2019 series.
Gunn did not provide any casting information for Batman or Superman in the new continuity.
Under a reorganized division of Warner Bros. Discovery, Gunn and Safran took charge in October of incorporating DC Comics characters like Superman, Batman, and more into new film, television, animation, and video game projects.
The DC films that have just been announced aren't the only ones on the horizon. Shazam: The release of Fury of the Gods is scheduled for March 17, the release of Blue Beetle on August 18, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom on December 25, and the Flash on June 16 (which will reset the continuity).
Beyond these, there are two movies that are based on Batman and are getting sequels: The Batman in 2022 and the Joker in 2019. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the latter will be titled The Batman Part II and released on October 3, 2025. It will take place independently of the narrative of The Brave and the Bold.
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson won't be returning in DC's initial phase of new movies, and Cavill won't be reprising his role as Superman, despite the fact that last October's Black Adam sought to establish Johnson as a leading light of the DC universe and brought Cavill back as Superman.
On the television front, the spinoff of the 2021 film The Suicide Squad, HBO Max's Peacemaker, will return for a second season, The Flash's ninth and final season begins on February 9, Superman & Lois's third season begins in March, and Colin Farrell's Penguin from Batman will have his own show. A Valentine's Day special has been added to the fourth season of the animated series Harley Quinn.
Doom Patrol and Titans, on the other hand, will end after their fourth seasons. HBO Max is expected to receive the second seasons later this year.
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