James Gunn’s top secret upcoming DCU movie plans are drawing significant attention, as Gunn has revealed he will not announce his next film until after Superman has been released, fearing that other Hollywood studios could quickly imitate his concept. As the co-president of DC Studios, Gunn remains deeply involved by writing and directing Superman, but has now confirmed that his next project will be a previously unannounced, highly confidential title conceived from the earliest days of the new DCU.
Gunn Keeps New Project Under Wraps to Prevent Copycats
James Gunn, known for his creative oversight at DC Studios, spoke to Entertainment Weekly about his decision to withhold public details of his next DCU film until Superman reaches theaters. Gunn has clarified that the project is not a standard Superman sequel, nor is it among the titles previously introduced as part of the “Gods and Monsters” slate. Instead, this film has intentionally remained secret, specifically to prevent rival studios from capitalizing on the concept before DC can execute it.
Recalling a past incident where Marvel Studios quickly developed Captain America: Civil War following Warner Bros.’ announcement of Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice, Gunn is particularly cautious this time. His experiences have led him to adopt a more guarded strategy for his most ambitious ideas, ensuring no competitor can beat him to the punch.
“My favorite thing has not been announced at all. One of the scripts people kind of know about. My script people don’t know about. The other script people don’t know about. So it’s mostly stuff people don’t know about…. A couple of those things [announced in January 2023] are in pretty good shape in terms of coming up, but there was one thing that I knew about from the very beginning, that when I pitched to David Zaslav what the DCU would be, I pitched to him, but we did not announce in that first meeting because I felt like it was too easy to rip off by another company. And so that’s one of the main things.”
—James Gunn, Co-president of DC Studios
Speculation Builds Over the Next DCU Film
While the actual title of James Gunn’s upcoming DCU movie remains shrouded in secrecy, fans are abuzz with speculation about its potential direction. One of the strongest theories suggests it could draw from the 1996 graphic novel Kingdom Come, which follows Superman as he returns from retirement to confront a new generation of jaded heroes. The new Superman logo’s similarity to the one featured in Kingdom Come has fueled suspicion that this story might be at the heart of Gunn’s next major film.
Another likely candidate is The Terrifics, a superhero team known for their resemblance to Marvel’s Fantastic Four. Notably, Superman will introduce characters like Mister Terrific and Metamorpho, two members of The Terrifics, intensifying speculation. However, considering that The Terrifics already parallels an existing Marvel property, some believe the secret project might instead break new ground to avoid easy imitation by competitors like Marvel Studios, which has been developing its own Fantastic Four film for some time.
The range of possible stories is vast. Gunn is an admirer of Tom King’s comic work and has previously adapted Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow as well as Mister Miracle, raising the possibility of adapting King’s 2020 miniseries Strange Adventures. Other options could explore settings like Mystic U, a magic school in the DC Universe that could parallel Marvel’s dormant Strange Academy. Alternatively, a film set on Dinosaur Island would be a radical departure, blending superhero action with prehistoric spectacle—a combination yet to be fully exploited despite the international success of franchises like Jurassic Park.
Development Progress and What Audiences Can Expect
The next steps for Gunn’s top secret film will depend on the success of Superman and the evolving landscape of superhero cinema. The project has reportedly been in development since Gunn first pitched his vision for the DCU to David Zaslav, but was deliberately omitted from early announcements for strategic reasons. As more titles from the “Gods and Monsters” slate progress toward release, anticipation continues to build for what this unannounced project could mean for the future of superhero movies.
“We’ve done real screenings. Definitely learning stuff all the time.”
—James Gunn, Co-president of DC Studios
If the new film proves as ambitious as Gunn suggests, it may influence not only the narrative direction of the DCU but also how major studios approach secrecy and competition in the era of interconnected cinematic universes. With a successful Superman movie poised to serve as a foundation, audiences and industry insiders alike are eagerly waiting to see when—and what—James Gunn will finally unveil as his greatest and most closely guarded DCU film idea.
Key Returning and New Characters in Superman
As the Superman project leads the way, several notable actors and characters set the stage for future entries in the DCU. David Corenswet is cast as Clark Kent, also known as Superman or Kal-El, bringing a new interpretation to the iconic hero. Rachel Brosnahan will portray Lois Lane, Superman’s key confidant and journalist partner. Nicholas Hoult is set to play the formidable Lex Luthor, maintaining the hero-villain dynamic, while Edi Gathegi takes on the role of Michael Holt, known as Mister Terrific—potentially a key figure if The Terrifics storyline becomes reality.
