James Gunn, DC Studios co-CEO, confirmed that the next movie on his DCU slate will be a follow-up to his recently released Superman film, which has already earned over $600 million worldwide. Despite the success of Superman, Gunn is not moving forward with a direct sequel immediately but has indicated that this follow-up project is his next major film. The filmmaker remains tight-lipped about the details but confirmed the upcoming movie is within the Super-Family universe and involves characters already introduced.
Upcoming Projects Include a Mysterious New TV Series
In a recent interview with Chris Hardwick, Gunn hinted at a previously unannounced TV show in development for the DCU. While the identities of ongoing projects like Booster Gold, Waller, and Paradise Lost are known to fans, this new show remains a surprise. No production dates have been revealed, suggesting that DC Studios may be expanding their slate beyond the initially announced titles for 2023.
Potential Superman Team-Up and DCU Strategy
Warner Bros. Discovery has confirmed that the next big screen project will be set in the Super-Family, fueling speculation that it might be a Superman and Supergirl collaboration. This would place significant confidence in the upcoming Supergirl film, set to premiere next summer, especially as the Superman follow-up looks to build on the established character groundwork. Gunn has ruled out a World’s Finest movie pairing Superman with Batman but has not excluded the possibility of more unconventional team-ups, such as a Justice Gang or Justice League International adaptation, though these ideas remain highly uncertain.
Balancing Established and New DC Titles
Other DC projects like The Brave and the Bold and Wonder Woman are still planned for the future but have not reached production stages. Meanwhile, Supergirl and the lesser-known Clayface horror film face tough competition at the box office, placing high hopes on the Superman sequel to maintain momentum for DC Studios. Although Superman has been well-received domestically, its international appeal has lagged, which may influence the studio’s approach for its follow-up projects.
Looking Ahead: What James Gunn’s Plans Mean for DC Fans
James Gunn‘s revelations suggest that DC Studios is carefully crafting a connected universe with a mix of familiar and new characters, focusing heavily on the Super-Family to carry its cinematic future. The anticipated Superman sequel could be a pivotal title in maintaining the DCU’s momentum after Superman’s global box office performance. Additionally, the surprise TV project and the timing of The Batman Part II highlight a dynamic and evolving slate for DC fans eagerly awaiting further announcements.
“I can say that probably the next movie we’re gonna be making is the follow-up to ‘Superman,’ which I don’t want to get in too much detail on, but like that’s what’s probably the next film we’re making, I think.”
—James Gunn, DC Studios co-CEO
“Well, hopefully we’re making [‘The Batman Part 2’] before that, and then I think it’s [the ‘Superman’ follow-up],”
—James Gunn, DC Studios co-CEO
“And then we have another TV show, which nobody knows about, which is going next.”
—James Gunn, DC Studios co-CEO
“It’s within the group of characters we’ve already met, and Superman’s an important element of it. So, that’s what I’ll say, but like that movie, that treatment is done.”
—James Gunn, DC Studios co-CEO
