James Gunn’s DCU cinematic universe is shaping up to be a collection of films, each treated like its own graphic novel, with directors given the freedom to inject their unique vision. This approach was highlighted by Supergirl director Craig Gillespie, who praised DCU boss James Gunn for encouraging diverse storytelling styles within the franchise.
Gillespie explained,
“James explained that each movie is its own graphic novel,”
and added,
“The filmmaker gets to bring their sensibility to it.”
This concept underlines the creative liberty allowed to filmmakers in this new DCU era, aiming for a range of tones and themes rather than a single unified story.
Varied Tones and Styles in the New DC Universe
The idea mirrors what Gunn expressed previously about his love for how DC Comics includes tonally distinct works like Watchmen and The Dark Knight Returns alongside its mainstream titles. Gunn told Entertainment Weekly,
“The thing I’ve always loved about DC Comics was that you had your mainstream comics that always ran, but they also had these tonally different comics like Watchmen and The Dark Knight Returns and All-Star Superman. It was different from Marvel in that way. That’s something that I really want to retain within the studio, that every project is going to bring a different vision by the artists who are creating it.”
With Gunn and Peter Safran leading DC Studios, each project is expected to stand apart. For example, Mike Flanagan‘s upcoming Clayface film will adopt a darker, R-rated, body horror tone, while the Lanterns TV series aims for a grounded and realistic style. In contrast, Supergirl is designed as a sprawling sci-fi epic, signaling the variety of narratives within the DCU.
Supergirl Debuts as the Next DCU Chapter
Following Superman’s release, Supergirl, set to premiere on June 26, 2026, is the next major DCU film. Gunn emphasized the strength of Supergirl’s script, stating it was the best among other DCU projects still in development.
In Superman, directed by Gunn himself, the audience sees Kal-El three years after stepping into the public eye as a hero. His actions in a politically fraught conflict between Boravia and Jahranpur, coupled with a damaging smear campaign led by Lex Luthor, have tarnished his reputation. As darker elements of his past emerge, Kal-El grapples with defining what his heroic role truly means, while also engaging with Lois Lane.
Supergirl, portrayed by Milly Alcock, had a brief but memorable introduction at the end of Superman, arriving unexpectedly at the Fortress of Solitude and interacting playfully with Krypto the Superdog before departing quickly. This sets the stage for her leading role in the upcoming film.
Building a Multifaceted DC Universe
Gunn’s approach emphasizes that the DCU is not intended to tell a single continuous story but rather to create a universe where each film contributes its own voice and style. One of his aims is for the DCU to be “mostly self-contained,” allowing audiences to enjoy each movie as a standalone experience while still connecting within a broader world. This strategy could enable more varied storytelling, innovation, and risk-taking when compared to traditional cinematic universes.
As the DCU grows, the diversity of its projects—from a grounded Lanterns series to a science fiction-heavy Supergirl and a dark horror Clayface—suggests a studio committed to expanding the possibilities of superhero cinema under Gunn’s guidance alongside Peter Safran.
