From Batman to Superman, via Creature Commandos and Booster Gold, James Gunn has unveiled the future of DC Studios
Despite all the backlash from fans regarding the James Gunn takeover of the DC Studios, the first projects have finally been announced. Gunn started by saying the upcoming Matt Reeves Batman sequel, Todd Phillips’ Joker sequel, and Teen Titans Go will release under the DC Elseworlds banner. The new slate will connect to each other, whether it is in film, TV, or animation. But what has been announced will lift the hearts of every DC fan and will make them excited about what is to come.
THE ANNOUNCEMENTS
It was revealed that the first wave of movie and TV plans will be named Chapter 1-Gods And Monsters. Let’s start with the announced projects:
THE BATMAN
It has been confirmed that the sequel to Matt Reeves’ The Batman is titled, quite simply ‘The Batman: Part II.’ No news as yet on who the villain of the film will be, what the story is, or if anyone other than Robert Pattinson will be returning for the sequel. The film is scheduled for release on October 3rd, 2025.
SUPERMAN
After the backlash regarding Henry Cavill’s removal as Superman, James Gunn has confirmed the news that he is writing and potentially directing a new version of the Man Of Steel. The film will be titled ‘Superman: Legacy’ and will hit screens on July 11th, 2025.
“It focuses on Superman balancing his Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing,” Safran said. “He is the embodiment of truth, justice and the American way. He is kindness in a world that thinks of kindness as old-fashioned.”
BATMAN: THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD
With The Batman: Part II being outside the main DCU, a new Batman needs to be cast. And we will meet him in ‘The Brave And The Bold.’ The film will see Bruce Wayne and his son Damian hit the screen as Batman and Robin respectively. The film is currently in the works and will serve as the birth of the Bat-family under DC Studios.
“The Brave and the Bold” will introduce “the Bat family,” Gunn said. First among them is Robin, who is returning fully to live-action movies for the first time since 1997’s ill-fated feature “Batman and Robin.”
This version of Robin is Damian Wayne; Gunn described him as “our favorite Robin,” “a little son of a bitch,” an “assassin” and a “murderer.”
BOOSTER GOLD
A ‘Booster Gold’ TV series is in the works. The character is a glory-seeking showboat from the future, staging high-publicity heroics through his knowledge of historical events and futuristic technology. Eventually, he becomes a hero through personal tragedies and is weighed down by his reputation.
CREATURE COMMANDOS
An animated TV series featuring the ‘Creature Commandos’ is currently in the works. The plan is to have the same actor’s voice and play the characters in future live-action movies in the DCU.
WALLER
You can’t keep Amanda Waller down for long. And as such, a new TV series, ‘Waller’ is in the pipeline. Viola Davis will be returning to her role as Amanda Waller, which will be set in between seasons 1 and 2 of ‘Peacemaker.’ It has been revealed that Jeremy Carver and Christal Henry will be writing the series.
SWAMP THING
Yep, he’s coming! After two campy movies in the 1980s, the character of ‘Swamp Thing’ is on his way to the movies once again. The film is described as a horror movie featuring the character.
“Swamp Thing” will “investigate the dark origins of Swamp Thing,” Peter Safran said, through the prism of horror.
LANTERNS
It’s time to forget the Ryan Reynolds movie (everyone else has) and get ready for the lanterns to return. Already in the works is a ‘Green Lantern’ TV series. Lanterns will feature both Jon Stewart and Hal Jordan.
This project is separate from a Green Lantern series that was being developed by Greg Berlanti for HBO Max, which is now no longer moving forward.
SUPERGIRL
Not to be outdone by her cousin, a new ‘Supergirl’ movie is in the works and will be titled ‘Supergirl: Woman Of Tomorrow.’ The movie will see the character living on part of Krypton after everyone else has been killed or has died. There is no word on whether Sasha Calle will continue to play the character after her introduction in the upcoming ‘The Flash’ movie.
“We see the difference between Superman, who was sent to Earth and raised by loving parents from the time he’s an infant, versus Supergirl, who was raised on a rock chip off of Krypton, and watched everyone around her die and be killed in terrible ways for the first 14 years of her life.”
PARADISE LOST
Did you ever wonder what the world of Themyscira was like before Wonder Woman? We will find out when the TV series ‘Paradise Lost’ hits screens. The show will focus on the Amazons and will be set before the events of both Wonder Woman movies.
THE AUTHORITY
The superhero team of ‘The Authority’ will be heading to theater screens.
OTHER NEWS
Peter Safran also took the time to tease the fans further. After James Gunn said that no actor in the DCU will play more than one character, Safran teased that a third Aquaman film will be happening, despite the second not hitting screens until December of this year. Safran stated that Jason Momoa “always saw Aquaman as a trilogy.” This could end the speculation that Momoa will be playing the character of Lobo in the DCU.
THE FLASH
James Gunn also stated that he has seen ‘The Flash’ movie. And he considers the film “one of the greatest superhero movies ever made.” The film, starring Ezra Miller will be hitting screens in June and will reset the DCU. Peter Safran also spoke about Miller, saying that the actor is committed to their recovery and they will discuss their future as The Flash at a later date. Safran continued by saying “When they feel like they’re ready to have the discussion, we’ll all figure out what the best path forward is.”
SUPERMAN & LOIS
The TV series “Superman & Lois” has been confirmed to be continuing. It will have 1 or 2 more seasons.
BATGIRL
Peter Safran says that Batgirl “was not releasable. I actually think that David Zaslav and the team made a very bold and courageous decision to cancel it because it would have hurt DC.”
HENRY CAVILL
James Gunn went on record to say they “didn’t fire Henry Cavill. Henry was never cast. For me, it’s about who do I want to cast as Superman and who do the filmmakers we have want to cast. And for me, for this story, it isn’t Henry.”
THE DOORS REMAIN OPEN
Finally, it has been confirmed that the door has been left firmly open for Gal Gadot, Jason Momoa, Ezra Miller, and Zachary Levi to reprise their roles within the DCU. This statement gives the fans hope that the actors will return to the DCU as their established characters.
ZACHARY LEVI
Gunn also addressed the recent controversial tweet by Zachary Levi by saying “I can’t be changing my plans all the time because an actor says something that I don’t agree with. Actors and filmmakers that I work with are going to say things that I agree with and things that I don’t agree with.”
What did you make of the announcements? Are you happy? What are you most looking forward to? Let us know in the comments section!
Source: DC
Author
Carl Roberts is the News Editor of The Future of the Force. Aside from being our horror genre aficionado, he is also passionate about Star Wars, Marvel, DC, and the Indiana Jones movies. Follow him on Twitter where he uses the force frequently!
