DC Universe (franchise)

American superhero media franchise

The DC Universe (DCU) is an upcoming American media franchise and shared universe based on characters from DC Comics publications. It was created by James Gunn and Peter Safran, co-chairmen and co-CEOs of DC Studios.[1]

DC Universe
DC Studios logo, used since 2024
Created by
OwnerWarner Bros. Discovery

The franchise is a soft reboot of the DC Extended Universe (DCEU). The DCU will keep some of the cast members of the DCEU while replacing others. For example, cast members such as Viola Davis (Amanda Waller) and John Cena (Peacemaker) will return, with their characters to be put into the new storyline. Others, such as Henry Cavill (Superman), Ben Affleck (Batman), and Gal Gadot (Wonder Woman) will see new actors take on new versions of their characters.

The story of the DCU is divided into chapters, starting with "Gods and Monsters" which will begin in 2024 with the animated series Creature Commandos. Gunn and Safran said the chapter's first movie, Superman (2025), will be the real beginning of the DCU.[2]

In June 2023, it was confirmed that a new Batman would appear in the universe in the movie The Brave and the Bold and would be directed by The Flash director Andy Muschietti.[3] This first chapter will include movies about Superman, Batman, Supergirl, The Authority and Swamp Thing.[4]

Movies

change
Film U.S. release date Director Screenwriter Producer(s) Status
Chapter One: Gods and Monsters[5]
Superman July 11, 2025 (2025-07-11)[1] James Gunn[2] Peter Safran[2] Filming
Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow June 26, 2026[6] Craig Gillespie[6] Ana Nogueira[7] TBA Pre-production
The Authority TBA TBA TBA TBA In development
The Brave and the Bold TBA Andy Muschietti[3] TBA James Gunn, Peter Safran, and Barbara Muschietti[3]
Swamp Thing TBA James Mangold[4] TBA
Other movies
Untitled Teen Titans movie TBA TBA Ana Nogueira[8] TBA In development

Television series

change
Series Seasons Episodes Original release Showrunners(s) Status
Chapter One: Gods and Monsters[5]
Creature Commandos 1 7[9] Late 2024 (2024)[10] James Gunn[2] In production
Peacemaker 2 8[11] TBA James Gunn[12] Filming
Waller 1 TBA TBA Christal Henry & Jeremy Carver[5] In development
Lanterns 1 TBA TBA TBA
Paradise Lost 1 TBA TBA TBA
Booster Gold 1 TBA TBA TBA
Other series[13]
Untitled Arkham series 1 TBA TBA Antonio Campos[14] In development
Untitled Blue Beetle series 1 TBA TBA Miguel Puga[15]

References

change
  1. 1.0 1.1 D'Alessandro, Anthony (January 31, 2023). "James Gunn & Peter Safran Unveil Big DC Plan With New Movies For Batman & Robin, 'Swamp Thing', 'The Authority'; 'Lanterns' TV Series & More". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on January 31, 2023. Retrieved February 12, 2023.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Donnelly, Matt (March 15, 2023). "James Gunn to Direct 'Superman: Legacy'". Variety. Archived from the original on March 15, 2023. Retrieved March 15, 2023.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 Donnelly, Matt (June 16, 2023). "New Batman Film 'Brave and the Bold' Lands 'The Flash' Director Andy Muschietti (Exclusive)". Variety. Archived from the original on June 16, 2023. Retrieved June 16, 2023.
  4. 4.0 4.1 McPherson, Christopher (April 7, 2023). "James Mangold Is Writing the 'Swamp Thing' Movie for DC [Exclusive]". Collider. Archived from the original on April 7, 2023. Retrieved April 7, 2023.
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 Vary, Adam B. (January 31, 2023). "New DC Universe Unveils First 10 Projects: 'Superman: Legacy' in 2025, Batman & Robin Movie, Green Lantern Series, Wonder Woman Prequel and More". Variety. Archived from the original on January 31, 2023. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
  6. 6.0 6.1 D'Alessandro, Anthony (2024-05-14). "'Supergirl: Woman Of Tomorrow', The Second Pic From James Gunn & Peter Safran's DC Studios, Gets Summer 2026 Release". Deadline. Retrieved 2024-05-16.
  7. Kit, Borys (2023-11-14). "DC Movie 'Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow' Finds Its Writer in Ana Nogueira (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2024-05-16.
  8. Kit, Borys (2024-03-15). "'Teen Titans' Live-Action Movie a Go at DC Studios (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2024-05-16.
  9. Massoto, Erick (January 31, 2023). "'Creature Commandos': Meet the Cast of the New DC Animated Series". Collider. Archived from the original on January 31, 2023. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
  10. Gonzalez, Umberto (April 12, 2023). "Frank Grillo to Play the DCU's Rick Flag in 'Creature Commandos' (Exclusive)". TheWrap. Archived from the original on April 12, 2023. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
  11. "James Gunn Confirms He Has Finished Writing Peacemaker Season 2". TV Shows. Retrieved 2024-05-16.
  12. D'Alessandro, Anthony (2022-02-16). "'Peacemaker' Renewed For Season 2 By HBO Max". Deadline. Retrieved 2024-05-16.
  13. Tinoco, Armando (2023-12-17). "DC Studios Co-Head James Gunn Says Matt Reeves' Batman Arkham Series In Development Is Set In New DCU". Deadline. Retrieved 2024-05-16.
  14. Otterson, Joe (2022-10-25). "Arkham Asylum HBO Max Series Taps 'The Staircase' Creator Antonio Campos as New Showrunner (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 2024-05-16.
  15. Cordero, Rosy (2024-06-14). "'Blue Beetle' Animated Series In Works As DC Plots Next Chapter For Superhero Franchise". Deadline. Retrieved 2024-06-15.