DC Studios’ latest release, Superman, written and directed by James Gunn, has already become a significant success, expected to earn over $120 million domestically in its opening weekend. This strong start has raised hopes that the film will surpass all Marvel openings in 2025 and most from recent years, excluding major hits such as Deadpool and Wolverine. Given this momentum, James Gunn is now exploring opportunities to expand the story through new spin-off television projects.
Expanding the DC Universe Beyond Superman
With DC planning two additional films for 2026 — Supergirl and Clayface — the studio, led by Gunn and co-chief Peter Safran, is strategizing the next phase of its entertainment offerings. A recent Wall Street Journal report highlights how Gunn, Safran, and Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav have worked to revitalize DC’s cinematic vision. Along with the announced films, Gunn is considering TV shows focused on other characters introduced in Superman, particularly Mister Terrific and Jimmy Olsen.
The movie features more than just Clark Kent, also showcasing heroes from the Justice Gang, DC’s version of the Justice League, which includes figures such as Green Lantern and Hawkgirl. Among these, Mister Terrific and Jimmy Olsen stand out as promising leads for television adaptations, with Gunn reportedly interested in developing separate series centered on these characters.
Spotlight on Characters Starred by Edi Gathegi and Skyler Gisondo
Mister Terrific is portrayed by Kenyan-American actor Edi Gathegi, recognized for his roles in The Harder They Fall and X-Men: First Class. Jimmy Olsen, the Daily Planet’s irrepressible cub reporter and photographer, is played by Skyler Gisondo, known for performances in movies such as Licorice Pizza, Booksmart, and Vacation. The prospect of a Jimmy Olsen-centered series may seem unconventional, but it could potentially explore the broader newsroom environment, incorporating other cast members like Rachel Brosnahan, Wendell Pierce, Mikaela Hoover, Beck Bennett, and Christopher McDonald.
Moreover, James Gunn’s interest in a character-driven show aligns with his previous attempts to develop a series around Amanda Waller, the leader of Task Force X in The Suicide Squad, portrayed by Viola Davis. Although that show is still in development limbo, it demonstrates Gunn’s commitment to exploring complex civilian and secondary characters within the superhero world.
DC Studios’ Ambitious Production Schedule and Future Projects
DC Studios has revealed plans to produce two live-action movies per year, alongside multiple live-action television series and one animated show annually. Besides the upcoming Supergirl and Clayface films, the studio is also developing projects like the Lanterns TV series and a second season of the animated Creature Commandos, alongside various other series and animated works.
The budget for this year’s Superman reportedly stood at $225 million, and the studio is aiming for a global box office gross exceeding $500 million. Based on its promising opening weekend figures, surpassing the domestic $120 million mark seems achievable, which would further establish the film’s success and reinforce DC Studios’ position in the competitive superhero market.
Setting the Stage for a Broader Superman Universe
James Gunn’s vision to create spin-off shows revolving around Mister Terrific and Jimmy Olsen signals DC Studios’ intent to deepen audience engagement with its characters beyond the main Superman narrative. By focusing on both superhero and civilian perspectives, these projects could offer fresh storytelling angles, enhancing the interconnectedness of DC’s evolving universe. As the studio prepares to release several related films and series in the coming years, fans can expect a sustained expansion of the Man of Steel’s world across multiple platforms.
“Ever since his The Suicide Squad movie, Gunn has been trying to make a series around Task Force X boss Amanda Waller, played by Viola Davis, but the show has not yet made it through the development process.” —Unnamed source
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why is James Gunn leaving Marvel?
A. In 2018, Marvel let go of James Gunn due to old tweets that were considered offensive. These tweets included jokes about serious topics like pedophilia, rape, and abuse, which led to public anger. July 2018 marked a major turning point in the director’s career.
Q. What is James Gunn’s religion?
A. In Gunn’s 2025 version of Superman, Ozu inspired the new CGI-animated design of Krypto the Superdog. Gunn grew up in a Catholic household and still sees prayer as significant in his life. However, he also describes himself as being somewhat opposed to organized religion.
Q. What religion is James Gunn?
A. He grew up in a Catholic family in Manchester, a suburb of St. Louis, Missouri. He has five siblings: actors Sean and Matt, screenwriter Brian, Patrick, and Beth. His family has Irish roots, as his father came from an Irish immigrant background.
