Last night, it was officially announced that DC Studios is proceeding with a new project called DC Crime, a true crime-style docuseries hosted by Skyler Gisondo, who will portray Jimmy Olsen. This series is set to explore the darker and more mysterious side of the DC universe, with the first season focusing on the villain Gorilla Grodd.
Gorilla Grodd Takes Center Stage in the Debut Season
The initial season will delve into the story of Gorilla Grodd, a character briefly seen in Creature Commandos and known as a favorite of DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn. Writers and executive producers Tony Yacenda and Dan Perrault, who previously worked on American Vandal, are leading the project as showrunners. Despite some uncertainty around other DC projects like Waller, Paradise Lost, and The Brave and the Bold, this series is moving forward.
The Flash’s Potential Role in Telling Gorilla Grodd’s Story
Since Gorilla Grodd’s primary nemesis has always been The Flash, the series’ narrative will likely involve the Scarlet Speedster. The two characters have an intertwined history, with Grodd being a classic Flash villain. Omitting The Flash when recounting Grodd’s story would overlook a critical element, akin to narrating Venom’s history without Spider-Man. Fans are curious if Barry Allen, the Fastest Man Alive and a forensic scientist at the Central City Police Department, will appear in the docuseries.
Uncertainty Surrounding The Flash’s Inclusion and DCU Debut
James Gunn has remained cautious regarding The Flash’s role in the expanding DC Universe. In December, he stated,
“we’re holding a beat on development”
about The Flash’s official debut. When asked about references to The Flash and Wonder Woman in Peacemaker Season 1, Gunn replied,
“Yeah, are they canon? I don’t know. We’ll have to wait and see. I mean, they’ll exist eventually. Whether they exist now, I don’t know.”
Grant Gustin’s Possible Return and Shift from Ezra Miller
Given the complications around Ezra Miller’s involvement, his return as The Flash appears unlikely. However, Grant Gustin, known for portraying The Flash on television, remains a strong candidate. Gunn has expressed admiration for Gustin, who is currently performing on Broadway. He said,
“Grant is an incredibly talented guy, performing now on Broadway, I believe, and is absolutely not going to waste just because he’s not currently in a DC project. But, of course, I’d love to work with him at some point.”
Considering a New Direction with Wally West
Some within the DC Universe speculate that the studio might transition to featuring Wally West as The Flash. Whichever choice DC Studios makes, excluding The Flash from DC Crime would be a major misstep, especially since Gunn has praised the 2023 Flash movie highly. Describing the film’s impact, he noted,
“Like, it’s one of the best superhero movies I’ve ever seen. [Director] Andy Muschietti did an amazing job,”
and added emphatically,
“Can I say one more thing? The Flash is f**king amazing.”
Key Characters Excluded and What to Expect Next
While much remains uncertain, reports indicate that Clark Kent and Lois Lane will not be part of the DC Crime series. Fans will need to wait for further updates as DC Studios refines the show’s direction. The involvement of The Flash, whether portrayed by Gustin or another actor, remains a pivotal question that could shape the series’ success and integration within the larger DC Universe.
