It has been a rocky road for DC films as we well known with the dark Synder-verse to the apparent second mis-start under the Rock with Black Adam teasing Henry Cavill before confirming he will no longer return to the role. With James Gunn and existing DC Universe producer Peter Safran being appointed as the Kevin Feige of DC we have been waiting for the announcement of what is going on – and that announcement has happened.
Happening earlier today with press at the Warner Studios lot followed by an announcement on the DC social media, Gunn has laid out the plans for the next chapter or first chapter of the DC Universe titled Gods & Monsters (which may not be a reference to the Paul Dini Elseworlds animated film with General Zod’s child instead of Jor-El coming to earth).
The announcement came with 10 projects across Film and TV which go to demonstrate the commitment to a shared universe across TV, Movies, Animation and Games where voice actors on an animated series might also playing the same role in live action. The DC slate will now consist of either shared universe films which are DC Universe or ones that are set outside which will be considered DC Elseworlds.
The new 10 projects that were announced were very much at a concept stage with only 1 having a script ready to go. It was announced that as part of the workshop to create the new DCU story framework Gunn has had bunkered in with a number of TV/Movie writers but also most importantly had comic writer Tom King as part of the brains trust creating the new DCU blueprint.
DC Elseworlds
Elseworlds was originally the title of the alternate universe/what if tales by DC with stories like what if Martha and Thomas Wayne found Superman as a baby. While it is more likely that Elseworlds means Multiverse it does still open the door for more outside the DCU projects.
These films and projects were mentioned as still being in play and referenced as DC Elseworld’s specifically by James Gunn during the presentation:
- The Batman (Matt Reeves/Robert Paterson)
- Joker
- Teen Titans Go
Doom Patrol and Titans (live action) has already been announced in the last week as both in their final seasons or not returning but the Harley Quinn animated series which has a Valentine’s special this month and a previously confirmed Season 3 was not mentioned.
Final Days of the DC Universe
It was made clear that the new slate and direction will not be wiping out all existing projects with there being a few films that were mentioned with specific outcomes for at least one that makes the order important.
Pre-Flashpoint
Shazam Fury of the Gods will be the next DC film to be released as a sequel to Shazam. Shazam will be followed by a confirmed release of Flash/Flashpoint which will have consequences for resetting parts of the DCU.
Post-Flashpoint
Following Shazam will be Blue Beetle and Aquaman 2 which both exist in the post Flashpoint DCU (confirming that Jason Momoa could return as Aquaman again) and leading directly into the new DCU chapter one.
DC Universe Chapter One: Gods & Monsters
The full slate is not actually defined as yet so this is only some of the films to be released. It is intended that a blueprint for the next 8-10 years is being defined but whether chapter one will span that entire time it is not known.
Creature Commandoes (series)
The first project of the new slate will be the pre-modern age DC of Rick Flag Senior leading a collection of vampires and werewolves as a military platoon on special missions. Based on the comics by the same name while it was mentioned that voice actors from animation could do a jump to live action there is a time difference here which may make that less likely for this cast (unless if we see Swamp Thing)
Waller (series)
Not mentioned as part of the DC social media but announced as part of the press conference is a series following Viola Davis’ version of Amanda Waller we saw in both The Suicide Squad and Peacemaker. The most important take away we had here was that this series will see a delay for Peacemaker season 2 with the cast of Peacemaker appearing in this series also.
Superman: Legacy (film)
Set for release on Juiy 25th, 2025 with already a completed script written by James Gunn this is probably the biggest change with a new Superman to be cast but it will not be based on any Krpytonian origin stories and is intended to return Superman to being for everyone.
Lanterns (series)
Seemingly aiming for a HBO TV release Lanterns is a True Detective spin on the Green Lantern Corps with the series set around Hal Jordan and John Stewart set on earth and will tie into a larger DCU story. This is the only Green Lantern series in production with the previously announced Green Lantern HBO series with Guy Gardner no longer moving ahead.
The Authority (film)
The Authority which was only moved into the DC comics universe in the last few years is Warren Ellis’ take on a more hardcore and proactive version of the Justice League. Originally Wildstorm imprint characters the series included Midnighter (a Batman analogue) and Apollo (a Superman analogue) amongst others who see the world as broken and want to fix it.
Paradise Lost (series)
While no specific Wonder Woman project was mentioned Themyscira will be the setting for the Paradise Lost series which will revolve around events prior to Diana’s birth.
Brave and the Bold (film)
Based on Grant Morrioson’s run with Batman & Son this introduces the DCU’s Batman which will be separate from the Robert Patterson one in The Batman. Not only will this introduce Batman but it will also include the first Robin with the DCU going for Batman’s actual son Damian Wayne who from the comics is his son by Talia Al Ghul (kinda). This is the start of the Batfamily in the DCU.
Booster Gold (series)
FINALLY we are getting a Booster Gold series under James Gunn. For those who do not know, Booster is a time traveller (or future museum security guard and football star who peaked in high school) who steals tech in the future and comes back to the present to become a Superhero. Also to get in on that sweet sweet merchandising.
Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow (film)
As you know Superman arrived on earth as a baby but Supergirl grew up on the floating rock of Argo City before coming to Earth and meeting her cousin. Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow will be based on the Tom King series by the same name which came out only last year with Supergirl and Krypto heading into space for a little holiday that does not go as planned. Yes, we get a live action Krypto.
Swamp Thing
The final project announced will be a Swamp Thing origin story. While set far from the rest of the DCU it will still feed into a main story that was teased across all announcements. This will not be the first time that Swamp Thing has been adapted but we can’t help remember that Grant Morrison also wrote some Swamp Thing which may or may not be an influence given the number of other Grant Morrison based projects.
And that is it, that is the full announcement slate. While we expect there will be more coming 10 films with an intention of 2 films and 2 series per year does give us the next 2-3 years worth of DC content already mentioned. If you have the time you can watch the full social media post below that runs for about 6 minutes below or just tell us what you think in the comments.
While it is early days we are pretty excited to see where we are going and where Chapter One ends and Chapter Two begins.
