James Gunn and Peter Safran took the helm of DC Studios in November 2022, immediately setting forth a multi-year strategic plan for a revamped DC Universe. Exactly three years ago, on January 31, 2023, they unveiled the original slate called Chapter One: Gods and Monsters, comprising ten projects spanning movies and television. This slate marked a bold new vision aimed at reshaping the DC Universe’s cinematic and TV landscape.
As of today, the James Gunn DCU slate has only seen limited fruition. Just a handful of these initial projects have come to audiences, with only four making tangible progress into production or release. Others remain in various states of delay or uncertainty as new creative directions emerge behind closed doors at DC Studios. This moment, coinciding with Warner Bros.’ anticipated acquisition by Netflix, invites a closer look at what has advanced, what has stalled, and what audiences can expect next within this evolving slate.
Four Key Projects Have Advanced Since the Original Slate Announcement
When revealing the slate, Gunn publicly confirmed five films and five series planned under the Chapter One umbrella. To date, only two of these have been released, while two others are nearing their debuts. These four projects—Creature Commandos, Superman, Supergirl, and Lanterns—represent the core of progress so far for the DCU.
Creature Commandos premiered on HBO Max in early 2025 as the studio’s first release under Gunn and Safran. The animated series introduced audiences to Task Force M, led by Rick Flag Sr. and the Bride, with Amanda Waller orchestrating the formation. Its positive reception has secured a second season currently in production, helping build momentum for the franchise’s serialized storytelling approach.
The film Superman serves as the foundation for the DCU’s renewed identity. Written and directed by James Gunn himself, it met its planned July 11, 2025 theatrical release. At the slate’s debut, Gunn described it as
“the true foundation of our creative vision for the DC Universe.”
Featuring David Corenswet as Clark Kent, Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor, the movie was well-received and grossed $616 million worldwide, signaling strong audience interest in this new iteration of Superman.
Following closely is Supergirl, directed by Craig Gillespie, which brings Milly Alcock back as Kara Zor-El after her cameo appearance in Superman. Adapting Tom King’s award-winning comic run, Supergirl is slated for a theatrical release on June 26, marking it as the second film and fourth project from the DCU. Meanwhile, Peacemaker season 2 also premiered in 2025, though it was already underway prior to Gunn and Safran’s leadership.
Rounding out the near-term slate is the upcoming HBO Max series Lanterns, featuring Aaron Pierre as John Stewart and Kyle Chandler as Hal Jordan. This detective-style series is set primarily on Earth but will incorporate extensive Green Lantern mythology. It is scheduled for release in late summer and represents the fourth DCU production moving closer to audiences.
Updates on the Remaining Six Films and Television Projects
With these four projects moving forward, six others from the original DCU slate remain in limbo. These include three films—The Authority, The Brave and the Bold, and Swamp Thing—as well as three series titled Waller, Booster Gold, and Paradise Lost, all of which face uncertain timelines or development challenges.
The Authority appeared positioned early on as a rapid addition to the slate. However, with no director attached and progress described by Gunn as “on the back burner” as of February 2025, its future is doubtful. Gunn’s recent comments noted ongoing talks but indicated hesitation about spotlighting lesser-known characters in major DC films. He also raised the possibility of adapting The Authority as a television show instead.
The film The Brave and the Bold was announced to spotlight Batman alongside his son, Damian Wayne. Andy Muschietti remains attached as director with Christina Hodson writing the script. Yet its development faces complexities due to the presence of Matt Reeves’ The Batman Part II, now delayed until October 2027 from its original 2025 date. To avoid audience confusion and release overlap, Gunn has stated the DCU will space out Batman appearances strategically, postponing The Brave and the Bold accordingly.
Swamp Thing initially showed promise for quick production when James Mangold was confirmed as writer and director shortly after the original slate announcement. However, competing projects like Mangold’s new Universal films and an upcoming Star Wars project have pushed Swamp Thing into the background without notable updates.
On the television front, the Waller series, planned for a 2024 release between seasons of Peacemaker, was postponed due to the 2023 strikes. Since the release of Peacemaker season 2, no further announcements have clarified its status. Similarly, the comedy-focused Booster Gold series, with David Jenkins attached to write and showrun since mid-2025, has seen no casting news or production schedule.
The Paradise Lost show, intended to explore the Amazons of Themyscira, has remained entirely without updates since its reveal. No creative team or timeline has been attached, making its realization uncertain or potentially delayed for the foreseeable future.
New Titles and Expanding Horizons Within the DC Universe
Despite the challenges faced by several original slate projects, DC Studios has persistently expanded the DC Universe with new films and series beyond the initial Chapter One lineup. One notable example is the horror-themed movie Clayface, set to premiere on September 11, 2026, ahead of some Chapter One films. With a script by Mike Flanagan and direction by James Watkins, Clayface progressed smoothly through development and is positioned as the DCU’s third film release.
Following the success of Superman, plans for Man of Tomorrow quickly emerged. Gunn is both writing and directing this film, which reportedly involves Superman and Lex Luthor teaming up against Braniac (played by Lars Eidinger). Positioned as a crossover event bridging Superman and Peacemaker season 2, Man of Tomorrow is scheduled for July 9, 2027.
DC Studios is also accelerating a new Wonder Woman movie, first announced in June 2025, with Ana Noguiera confirmed as screenwriter the following month. Adhering to the strategy of releasing two films yearly, Wonder Woman is anticipated as one of the studio’s 2028 highlights.
Alongside its live-action output, an animated film titled Dynamic Duo is slated for June 30, 2028. Featuring Dick Grayson and Jason Todd as leads, the project is not officially under the James Gunn DCU slate but benefits from production involvement by Gunn and Matt Reeves.
Ongoing Uncertainty Surrounds Several Future Projects
One film lingering in uncertainty is Sgt. Rock, which initially attached Luca Guadagnino as director and Colin Farrell as the star. Production delays and Guadagnino’s departure have left this project’s future unclear, with no confirmed creative replacements at present.
On television, new series announcements have included an animated Blue Beetle show starring Xolo Maridueña reprising his film role as Jaime Reyes, along with an animated Mister Miracle series. The latter, helmed by comic writer Tom King and confirmed by Gunn as part of the DCU canon earlier this year, adds fresh dimensions to the universe’s animated offerings.
Beyond officially announced projects, rumors persist about potential movies featuring Teen Titans and a team-up featuring villains Bane and Deathstroke. Additionally, unannounced and secret projects are believed to be underway as DC Studios continues to explore the depths of its expansive comic source material.
Reasons Behind the Significant Changes to the DCU Slate Over Three Years
The current status of James Gunn’s DCU slate reflects the challenges of managing such a vast cinematic universe. With fewer than half of the originally announced projects progressing significantly, and more recent titles overtaking some early announcements, the landscape has shifted considerably over three years. This pattern is consistent with broader trends seen in large film universes like the MCU, where initial plans frequently evolve or are scrapped.
Announcing extensive slates in advance carries inherent risks. Gunn and DC Studios have mitigated some fallout by initially withholding specific release dates for many projects. This approach keeps these titles technically “in development” without the pressure of missed deadlines. However, prolonged delays, especially with films like The Brave and the Bold, increasingly raise doubts about their eventual realization.
The reasons for these fluctuations are rooted in creative discipline. Gunn has emphasized his refusal to begin production on any project without a completed script, a lesson drawn from previous cinematic universe experiences. The focus now lies on developing projects fully and carefully, rather than rushing to meet preset schedules and compromising quality.
While frustrating to fans, this patient approach aims to ensure the final products meet high standards and are financially and creatively successful. As DC Studios continues to refine and expand the DCU, some of the previously stalled Chapter One titles may find renewed progress in the coming years as the “Gods and Monsters” phase truly takes shape under Gunn’s leadership.
