James Gunn, co-CEO of DC Studios, recently clarified that two recent DC releases are not part of the official James Gunn DCU canon, even though they feature familiar characters within the franchise. While the DC Universe (DCU) began with Creature Commandos and Superman and continues with Peacemaker Season 2 — which has been adjusted to fully align with the DCU timeline — the Superman prequel novel and Krypto Saves the Day! shorts do not share the same canonical status.
Gunn explicitly stated that the Superman tie-in novel titled Superman: Welcome to Metropolis and the Krypto Saves the Day! animated shorts, both released under the DC Studios banner, are standalone projects that do not fit into the main DCU continuity. Despite featuring David Corenswet as Superman, the novel’s storyline is separate and did not unfold within the DCU timeline. Similarly, the Krypto shorts, although linked to the Superman film through the character, operate outside the franchise’s established canon.
In response to fan inquiries on Threads, Gunn confirmed this distinction clearly. Regarding the Superman novel, he remarked, “It is not canon, no.”
When asked about the Krypto shorts, Gunn responded, “No. I love ’em tho,” acknowledging their appeal despite their non-canonical status.
What Defines Canon Within the Current DC Universe?
Gunn’s comments underscore a clear boundary for what constitutes canon in the DCU. According to him, only films and TV series are considered part of the official continuity. This approach aims to maintain clarity within a growing and complex world of characters and stories. Gunn elaborated on this on Threads, explaining that maintaining canon is a challenging task, even for those dedicated to the effort.
“Even with me and our guy Phil (whose job it is to keep it all together) on canon in the DCU, with multiple films and shows it’s still hard to keep track of. Adding comics at this time would be too much for the lean DC team. So right now nothing is canon outside of the filmed media.”
— James Gunn, DC Studios co-CEO
This statement reveals that the current DCU strategy avoids expanding canonical material beyond movies and television to prevent confusion and overload for the creative staff. Comics, although beloved by fans, are excluded from canon at the moment to keep the timeline manageable.
It is notable that the Krypto shorts, while indeed filmed media, still fall outside the formal canon, highlighting some exceptions in how media types are classified within the franchise.
Future of Tie-In Projects and Their Canonical Status
The Superman film was a key release for the newly launched DCU and Warner Bros., accompanied by the tie-in novel aimed at juniors. While such tie-ins help broaden engagement, fans should not expect every DCU movie to receive a canonical companion book. For instance, a tie-in novel for Supergirl is unlikely, and if one does appear, it probably won’t be canon either.
Since Superman was the franchise’s first major entry, the accompanying novel may have been intended to promote the theatrical release and attract younger viewers. Given Superman’s strong box office performance, this strategy might have been successful from a commercial standpoint.
Looking ahead, any additional tie-in materials—whether novels or short films—are most likely to revolve around the DCU’s Batman, especially given the character’s comparable popularity to Superman. The anticipated Batman movie, rumored to be titled The Brave and the Bold, could see its own batch of non-canonical tie-ins designed to reach different audiences without complicating the canon.
Implications for DC Fans and the Franchise
Gunn’s position on canon reflects a cautious, controlled approach to franchise-building amid the expansive DCU. By limiting canon to filmed media, DC Studios aims to offer viewers a more straightforward experience without the complications of multiple story sources. Fans who enjoy tie-in novels or shorts like those featuring Krypto can continue to appreciate them as fun, supplementary stories instead of core parts of the overarching narrative.
This clear delineation affects how fans engage with DCU content, especially those eager to follow every plot thread. Although the current method may frustrate some who want a fully integrated universe across all formats, it maintains narrative coherence for the creative team and the broader audience alike.
As the DCU grows, it remains to be seen if future projects might shift this canon policy, especially once the team expands or new creative directions emerge. For now, James Gunn’s leadership prioritizes a tight focus on the filmed media as the definitive source for what is officially part of the James Gunn DCU canon.
