James Gunn, the DC Studios co-CEO, has revealed that his favorite DCU project remains under wraps and is yet to be announced to the public, sparking fresh speculation among fans. As the debut of David Corenswet‘s Superman approaches, Gunn’s comments suggest there are more surprises ahead for the evolving DC franchise, with particular emphasis on the highly anticipated “James Gunn secret DCU project” that has yet to enter the spotlight.
Gunn Reveals Unannounced Projects Are in Development
James Gunn, best known for his filmmaking across Marvel Studios with the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise and DC’s The Suicide Squad, stands at the forefront of a new era for DC. His upcoming Superman film, starring David Corenswet, is set to relaunch the DCU, with Peacemaker, Supergirl, and Lanterns projects following closely behind. Despite a slate of new releases over the next year, Gunn has openly hinted at a range of secret projects not included in the previously revealed titles from January 2023, such as The Authority, James Mangold’s Swamp Thing, and the Viola Davis-fronted Waller series.
During a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly, Gunn provided fans with just enough detail to heighten anticipation regarding projects beyond the current public roadmap. He emphasized that some of these unannounced works are especially close to his heart, setting the stage for speculation and excitement throughout the fanbase.
Direct Quotes Highlight Gunn’s Enthusiasm and Secrecy
Gunn pulled back the curtain just slightly on his creative process during the interview, stating:
“Then there’s another TV show that’s my favorite thing in all of this, that is hopefully getting made soon. It’s just my favorite thing.”
—James Gunn, DC Studios Co-CEO
He elaborated on how multiple movies are currently in the works alongside other written projects, while also addressing his own boundaries in revealing too much:
“And then there’s the movie…Oh s—! I don’t know what I’m allowed to say or not say, but there’s a couple of other movies that are being written, one of which is in pretty good shape, another which is kind of closer to the start, but we feel positive about. And then there’s a thing I’m writing, which I think it’s okay…. So what will be the next thing after ‘Clayface’ is not 100 percent certain, but it’s pretty certain.”
—James Gunn, DC Studios Co-CEO
Asked about whether these projects are related to previously announced ones, Gunn confirmed the existence of new projects that have been hidden from public view, and touched on why one of them was kept secret from the outset:
“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, DC Studios Co-CEO
Current and Upcoming Projects on the DC Slate
Once Gunn’s Superman film premieres on July 11, fans can expect a sequence of new stories in the DCU. Confirmed releases include Peacemaker Season 2, featuring John Cena, set for August, and the Supergirl movie led by Milly Alcock due in June 2026. Also on the horizon are the Clayface movie, with Mike Flanagan involved, scheduled for September 2026, and HBO’s Lanterns TV series, which is currently slated for the following year. These known projects, alongside contributions from filmmakers such as James Mangold and actors like Viola Davis, signal a robust and evolving franchise.
However, Gunn’s latest revelations introduce an added layer of intrigue, as he insists there are several more projects in various stages of development—some nearing completion, others at the conceptual phase—underscoring the studio’s ambition to surprise audiences beyond what has already been disclosed.
The Nature of Gunn’s Secret Project Remains a Mystery
The content of the secret project remains an open topic for speculation, especially since Gunn indicated his favorite work is a television series rather than a film. His reference to “another TV show” as his most cherished undertaking shifts attention toward the potential for innovative storytelling on the small screen under his creative leadership at DC Studios.
Observant fans may wonder about the possible identity of this hidden project. With characters such as Plastic Man, Phantom Girl, Metamorpho, and Mister Terrific in DC’s extensive catalog—and with Edi Gathegi’s Mister Terrific confirmed for an appearance in Superman—there’s fertile ground for expansion. Some have suggested Gunn might be preparing a Terrifics TV series, with the superhero team featuring lesser-known but compelling members drawn from DC Comics history. Such a project would continue Gunn’s well-established pattern of spotlighting underappreciated comic book characters and expanding the DCU’s narrative diversity.
Alternatively, audiences familiar with Gunn’s fondness for comic book obscurities speculate he could be developing a show around even more unconventional heroes, maybe Bat-Mite or another rarely adapted character from the publisher’s archives. The details remain closely guarded, with only the assurance that Gunn’s commitment to originality and innovation drives these imminent announcements.
Why Gunn Waited to Reveal His Favorite Unannounced Project
Notably, Gunn pointed to a strategic decision for withholding one particular project from public knowledge. When presenting his vision for the DCU to Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav, Gunn opted not to divulge this concept initially, expressing concern it would be quickly replicated by competitors in the superhero entertainment space. This move illustrates Gunn’s understanding of the high-stakes nature of the current industry environment, where fresh ideas are highly prized and often aggressively pursued by rival studios like Marvel Studios.
By maintaining secrecy, Gunn aims to preserve the originality of this upcoming title, ensuring that DC Studios can introduce it on its own terms, maximizing both audience impact and narrative innovation.
The Implications for the Future of the DC Universe
James Gunn’s approach brings anticipation and tension to the future of the DC franchise. His candidness about “my favorite thing” not being part of any previously announced slate emphasizes his active role in shaping the universe’s direction and highlights his creative instincts for identifying stories with unique potential. Entities such as Mike Flanagan, John Cena, and Edi Gathegi will play critical roles as the DCU enters this next phase, while Gunn’s leadership continues to set the tone for boldness and surprise.
For now, details about the “James Gunn secret DCU project” are under lock and key, leaving observers and fans to await eventual official word. Gunn’s cultivation of suspense ensures continued interest, while the mix of upcoming films and series promises a fresh take on the superhero genre. As the franchise expands with titles like Peacemaker, Supergirl, the Authority, and rumored future teams such as the Terrifics or even Justice League iterations down the line, DC appears poised for renewed relevance and storytelling ingenuity in the years ahead.
