DC Universe Chapter 1: Superman, Batman Movies and ‘Waller’ Show

After weeks of chatter and rumors, DC Studios heads James Gunn and Peter Safran have finally unveiled 10 different projects that will form the first chapter in a long-running interconnected universe of movies and shows based on DC comic book characters. Among them: new Superman, Batman, Supergirl and Swamp Thing feature films, as well as new series based around Green Lantern, the origin of Wonder Woman’s home house, and one based around Viola Davis’ Amanda Waller character.

These new projects, which were officially unveiled on Tuesday after a press conference and presentation on Monday, are part of the DC Universe (DCU). Each of the films and series are currently in various stages of development and will either be Warner Bros. or HBO Max series movies that will be released within two to three years. These plans follow the release of four upcoming DC movies set for release later this year, including “Shazam! Wrath of the Gods, ‘The Flash’, ‘Blue Beetle’ and ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’.

Connected

Connected

Chapter 1 of the DCU is titled “Gods and Monsters,” and while the 10 projects revealed on Tuesday are expected to be part of this first chapter, that could change over time and more projects could be added over time. However, it’s only a fraction of what’s coming as part of an eight-to-ten-year plan that’s split into several chapters and already includes the bones envisioned as Chapter 2.

“A lot of people think this is going to be Marvel 2.0. It’s not,” Gunn told reporters at Monday’s press conference ahead of the full reveal, stressing that the films and shows on the list will be part of the same story, but each will have its own voice, style and distinct genre. This philosophy extends to other projects under the DC Studios banner.

Safran and Gunn hope to eventually reach a point where they release two movies and two shows a year. That also doesn’t include other announced projects like the upcoming “Joker: Folie a Deux,” the officially titled “The Batman Part II,” or even shows like “Teen Titans Go!” In the future, these projects will exist outside of the DCU and will be branded “DC Elseworlds” as the comics are branded, as well as other DC projects such as the long-in-development Black Superman movie by Ta-Nehisi From Coates. . However, Gunn and Safran will continue to put their stamp of quality control on these projects and will serve as executive producers on anything that comes from DC Studios.

While writers or directors for any or all of these projects have yet to be locked in place, Gunn and Safran have highlighted the writers’ room as people who have collaborated on the larger vision of the DCU. They include Drew Goddard (“Daredevil”, “The Cabin in the Woods”), Jeremy Slater (“Moon Knight”), Christina Hodson (“The Flash”, “Birds of Prey”), Christal Henry (“Watchmen”), DC comics writer Tom King and Gunn himself.

Jonathan Olley

Safran and Gunn also answered questions with current stars of DC’s upcoming films, including 2023’s “Shazam! Wrath of the Gods, ‘The Flash’, ‘Blue Beetle’ and ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’.

In recent weeks, various reports have surfaced regarding a number of upcoming and expected DC projects. There have been reports that Henry Cavill will not ultimately return as Superman, that Dwayne Johnson’s Black Adam will not be part of DC Studios’ future plans, and that the “Wonder Woman 3” project has been scrapped.

As for Cavill, he will not return as Superman in Gunn’s Superman: Legacy , as previously reported, although the casting process for the new Superman has not yet begun. Johnson and a third “Wonder Woman” movie were not considered, but neither were they mentioned in the plans for Chapter 1.

Additionally, Robert Pattinson, who plays Bruce Wayne in Matt Reeves’ “The Batman,” will not be the DCU’s Batman, nor will former star Ben Affleck. But that doesn’t mean a decision has been made to go with other existing stars like Miller, Zachary Levi, Gal Gadot or Jason Momoa.

“There’s no reason why the characters and the actors playing the characters shouldn’t be a part of the DCU in the future,” Safran reiterated, though no concrete plans have been made yet. However, it was said that no actor would play two separate characters within the DCU.

Gunn called the upcoming Ezra Miller-starrer “The Flash” one of the best superhero movies ever made, and said the film, along with other new titles, will help reset the universe before things officially kick off with “Superman: Legacy.” Gunn himself is writing this film, which will serve as something of an official reset to the universe, as subsequent projects will be consistent with the stories and characters.

In addition to some other highlights revealed as part of Gunn and Safran’s massive Chapter 1, Viola Davis will continue to play Amanda Waller, with “Superman: Legacy” officially set for July 11, 2025, in “The Batman Part II.” will also open on October 3, 2025. In addition, there are a number of other projects lurking for Chapter 1 that are currently too secretive to examine.

We break down each of the 10 projects unveiled on Tuesday below.

Clay Enos/DC Comics

“Creature Commandos”

The DCU’s very first project is “Creature Commandos,” an animated show written entirely by Gunn and currently in production, featuring characters such as Weasel and Rick Flag Sr. from “The Suicide Squad.” The show is set to , so that voice actors can play characters in later live-action projects, and the goal is to be able to tell big stories that go from animation to live-action and back, all without breaking the bank. $50 million per episode to tell stories like this. The original DC Comics story followed a superhuman military group during World War II.

“Waller”

Viola Davis reprises her role as Amanda Waller in this series, which continues the story of Gunn’s “Peacemaker.” Some characters and actors will be swapped, while other characters will use the same actors, and he will reunite with the “Peacemaker” team. Gunn is working on writing “Superman: Legacy,” and “Peacemaker” Season 2 will follow the film and “Waller.” Christal Henry and Jeremy Carver (“Doom Patrol”) are writing the series.

“Superman: Legacy”

Although Gunn previously announced his Superman movie, the film has an official title and tentative release date of July 11, 2025. Gunn is currently writing the film, and Safran hopes to convince Gunn to direct, but a director has yet to be chosen. stock. The feature film is emphasized as the true beginning of the DCU, although the film is not considered the origin story of Clark Kent’s role as Superman. Rather, it “focuses on Superman balancing his Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing. He is the epitome of truth, justice and the American way, and he is kindness in a world that thinks kindness is old-fashioned,” Safran said.

“Lanterns”

“Lanterns,” which is currently in development and features Hal Jordan and John Stewart’s Green Lantern characters, is described as being in the vein of “True Detective,” but playing a big part in the larger story. A writer has already been attached but has not been revealed, and Safran and Gunn have already met with actors to play the roles.

Greg Berlanti previously developed a “Green Lantern” series, but they have agreed to part ways over the direction of the project and currently have no other DC Studios projects in development.

“The Authority”

“The Authority” is a superhero comic originally published by DC Comics under the Wildstorm imprint in 1999 and first appeared as a team of superheroes in the comic “Stormwatch”. The characters are being integrated into the larger DCU as part of a spin-off feature film from “Superman: Legacy,” and they’re a team that takes what they believe is right for the world into their own hands, regardless of direction. other countries, governments or heroes. A basic story has already been written, but no writer has been revealed.

“Paradise Lost”

Described as “Game of Thrones” and “Wonder Woman,” “Paradise Lost” is a series that explores the origins of Themyscira, home of the Amazons and birthplace of Wonder Woman. The drama series explores the political intrigue of a society and an all-woman island, and the beautiful and ugly truths that go into creating such a society. The series will take place before Diana’s birth.

“The Brave and the Bold”

“The Brave and the Bold” is a movie that introduces the DCU Batman and the DCU Robin, in this case Damian Wayne, or Bruce Wayne’s son, who he didn’t even know about in his early years. Based on Grant Morrison’s Batman comic book series, the film explores the father-son dynamic of Batman and Robin.

As previously mentioned, neither Robert Pattinson nor Ben Affleck will portray Batman in this iteration. However, Pattinson will still star in “The Batman Part II,” which opens in theaters on October 3, 2025.

“Booster Gold”

A fan favorite in DC Comics history, “Booster Gold” is about a loser from the future who returns to the present using basic futuristic technology and pretends to be a superhero. The project will be a series on HBO Max. The character was first created by Dan Jurgens in 1986.

“Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow”

Based on Tom King’s acclaimed July 2022 comic book of the same name, “Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow” is a feature film that takes a fresh take on Supergirl and follows the story of Kara Zor-El, who had a much more disturbing and dark past. his origin story as Superman before he finally made it to Earth. The take is described as a much “harder” take than what audiences are used to seeing from the Supergirl character.

“Swamp Thing”

“Swamp Thing” is a horror film that differs in tone from other DCU stories, but still fits into the larger universe, “Swamp Thing” explores the dark origins of the Swamp Thing monster.

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