DC Studios Co-Chairmen and CEOs James Gunn and Peter Safran today announced plans for their first 10 film and television projects under the new DC banner they lead across film, television, and animation. Gunn and Safran are designing and implementing a long-term interconnected story for the iconic franchise and characters, and today announced the beginning of “Chapter 1” focused on “Gods and Monsters” with five new films and five television series for HBO Max already in development.
“As we craft the plan for DC Studios, we are thrilled to share with fans the first 10 stories they can expect from the unified DC Universe featuring some of our most well-known characters as well as the next generation of marquee characters” said Safran. “Chapter 1 tells cohesive stories that highlight love, compassion, and the innate goodness of the human spirit, all designed to minimize audience confusion and maximize audience engagement across platforms.”
Gunn is writing “Superman: Legacy,” the first film of the new slate, which will be released in theaters globally on July 11, 2025. The highly-anticipated sequel “The Batman – Part II” is slated for release on October 3, 2025, it was also announced by Gunn and Safran today.
Gunn added: “Superman: Legacy is the true foundation of our creative vision for the DC Universe. Not only is Superman an iconic part of DC lore, he is also a favorite character for comic book readers, viewers of earlier movies, and fans around the world. I can’t wait to introduce our version of Superman who audiences will be able to follow and get to know across films, movies, animation and gaming.”
The upcoming slate of projects includes:
Film Projects:
Superman: Legacy – written by Gunn, the film will hit theaters on July 11, 2025, and focus on Superman balancing his Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing.
The Authority – WildStorm characters will join the DCU as members of The Authority take matters into their own hands to do what they believe is right
The Brave and the Bold – the DCU will introduce its Batman and Robin in this unusual father-son story inspired by Grant Morrison’s comic series
Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow – this science fiction adventure, which will be based on Tom King’s amazing, award-winning recent comics stories, presents a Supergirl viewers are not used to seeing
Swamp Thing – the film will investigate the dark origins of Swamp Thing
Television Projects for HBO Max:
Creature Commandos – a seven-episode animated show in which Amanda Waller creates a black ops team out of monstrous prisoners; Gunn wrote all the episodes of the first season
Waller – starring Viola Davis, this series features Team Peacemaker and will be written by Christal Henry (Watchmen) and Jeremy Carver (Supernatural)
Booster Gold – Booster Gold uses basic technology from the future to pretend to be a superhero in present day
Lanterns – this enormous TV event series follows intergalactic cops John Stewart and Hal Jordan as they uncover a dark mystery
Paradise Lost – set in Themyscira, home of the Amazons and birthplace of Wonder Woman, this drama focuses on the genesis and political intrigue of an island of all women
I’m indifferent to this slate. I do think it’s a really bad look on Gunn’s part keeping his section of the universe alive. Really really bad. I think he’s being diplomatic about flash and aqua man for now until the movies come out, but I hope those are recast also to not muddy the waters. I’m not interested in the authority taking the elites place… I don’t want to see that movie. I want to see brainiac… a proper modern Luthor, others we haven’t seen. And it’s too early to bring in derivative characters like supergirl. Can we establish the… Read more »
Just focus on this as a Superman fan. Sit back and think: What Superman gets THIS treatment?
Gunn added: “Superman: Legacy is the true foundation of our creative vision for the DC Universe. Not only is Superman an iconic part of DC lore, he is also a favorite character for comic book readers, viewers of earlier movies, and fans around the world. I can’t wait to introduce our version of Superman who audiences will be able to follow and get to know across films, movies, animation and gaming.”
I will be open minded about this. The one thing they have to do that the last 2 film adaptations didn’t is have a charming and charismatic superman. The last two versions were written as wordless wonders and then when they didn’t land with audiences, they blamed the character…. When in reality it was the crappy writing. I don’t need an Aw shucks, jokey or Christopher reeve knock off, but he has to be extremely likable … the scene in superman and Lois in the first episode where he says to the kid ‘here you go friend… thanks! My mom… Read more »
They are not too early with how they bring in these characters like Supergirl. She will most likely interact with Superman in her movie.
This is the straight to action, established yet still capable to grow, DCU.
Time is what prevents most of these marquee characters to be introduced in the first place.
With what they have explained about Superman himself…
This is a “never been done” before thing.
On all platforms. ALL PLATFORMS. One Superman.
For now.
I’ll give it a chance, but I would have preferred superman, WW and Batman to stand on their own before they start introducing the side family…. The next phase could have introduced supergirl and I’d be fine with that, but while I enjoy her character I think she works better with a seasoned superman… not a year one superman. And I am not interested in Damien Wayne. I want Dick, Tim or Jason first. Damien is incredibly unlikable.
I think this will not be a year one Superman. I think this will be a two year plus Superman that has already had some work done as a hero. No need for a Superman origin story. We know where he comes from. We know who raises him. Same with Batman. The way this formula reads is pretty clear. Presenting it as “Chapters” is awesome. There were some words that came out of the Rock’s mouth about “Multiverse Chapters”. And there seems to be a theme present in ALL this when the first Chapter of these 10 films is called… Read more »
Well technically a year 2 has been done too lol, based on previous information we’ll have to go through the whole thing of him acclimated at the daily planet with Lois and everyone which has been done. It’s not a big deal to me as long as the characters are well written and it’s a compelling story. My only worry is that gunn took the writing duties on himself and while I hope to be pleasantly surprised, I don’t feel his style lends itself to superman. For me, The most important thing is that they really need to mail superman/Clark’s… Read more »
Could not agree more! I am happy they are starting with Superman, but would appreciate them starting with the main stand out heroes first and then integrate additional characters. For the most part of what was said, I felt underwhelmed. I would have liked to have seen a full reset with all new actors, leaving what is still come and what has passed as a separate piece of their multiverse. All of that said, I do appreciate them focusing on the writing side of things instead of rushing it into production. I’ll wait with baited breath to see how this… Read more »
Woo hoo! Can’t wait! Please be good
Just like all the other Superman movies and concepts I will just have to sit back and see if I enjoy this Superman as much as I have enjoyed every version that has come before . I still say that dc needs to make sure they are more focused on telling quality stories than competing with Marvel.
I like the fact that there is finally a solid plan. As a Superman-fan, (and similar to what PatrickRichard said), I’ll just focus on this as a Superman-fan and be happy that Superman is getting this kind of nice treatment (finally). SUPERMAN: LEGACY sounds fresh and interesting. I’m open to seeing how Gunn approaches this film (whether he even directs it or not).
How do I throw a “like” on this comment?
Thank you. As the saying goes, “Great minds think alike.”
And that’s another “like”
So we have a title for the next Superman movie. Let the speculation on who the next Superman will be and what his insignia and suit will look like begin.
I made this in early October and posted it on Twitter on October 10th.
It was meant to look hand drawn like a fan would do.
It was designed to be a theory.
This is the image.
What are peoples thoughts on the All Star Superman images they used for the announcement? I wasn’t too keen on that arc… Not sure how I would feel about it being used as the main inspiration for Legacy.
Excited for a new big screen Superman nonetheless.
Gunn used a lot of images to promote the idea of the new DCU. Even images like Kingdom Come. I don’t think he will be using that arc right away. Maybe some key notes from it. But not the actual plot of All Star Superman. It sounds like, based on what Gunn said just about Superman, that this is a DCU built around him. He is the foundation of the DCU. Gunn added: “Superman: Legacy is the true foundation of our creative vision for the DC Universe. Not only is Superman an iconic part of DC lore, he is also a… Read more »
This, finally sounds like a plan – and at least a proper vision, with some other interesting new ideas on the plate. Personally, I’m optimistic, and as always can’t wait for an ‘actual’ Superman movie. Peter Safran’s quote sounds interesting and sounds exactly the issue of our times right now.. “It’s not an origin story. It focuses on Superman balancing his Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing. Superman represents truth, justice and the American way. He is kindness in a world that thinks of kindness as old fashioned.” What better time to bring a fresh version of Superman. I, for… Read more »
I liked what Gunn did with Guardians of the Galaxy, so I’m hopeful he understands the character. Snyder didn’t – his Superman went out of his way to remind people of how powerful he was, such as wrecking a surveillance satellite, and menacingly snapping handcuffs in two while bearing down on his captors.
I liked some of Gunn’s plans as a Superman fan I am going to remain cautious optimistic about the future of my favorite character.
I am trying to remain hopeful, but the title ‘superman: legacy’ has me worried. That’s a title for someone ending his run or passing on the mantle… pair that with an immediate supergirl movie called ‘woman of tomorrow’ and yeah I’m worried. Not to mention, gunn has been using a lot of All Star superman imagery which was a superman at the end… Im also pretty sure they are setting up The Authority to be the Elite or Magog from kingdom come. I am hoping it’s the former and I’d be okay if this was a sequel. Christina Hodson in… Read more »
Am I the only one thinking that’s a really weird line up? You’re starting out with TWO Kryptonians, a Father/Son Batman, and then…D-listers like swamp thing and “authority”?? So the timeline is already going to be all over the place again. As they’ve already said Superman will be younger, once more, Superman will not be the “first hero” as Batman will have already be needing to exist for a while in order to have a son by the time Clark shows up. Which means “Superman being the true foundation” is a lie unless there’s going to be 3 Cinematic Batmen… Read more »
Hoping James Gunn rain himself of it more when it came to passion projects and things he’s interested in this appears to be a random timeline with no focus and it actually sounds like the same age gap that was in BVS for Batman/superman. I think it’s way too early for obscure characters like the authority and creature commandos. Not saying they can’t be cool, but it seems like gunn is leadin more by what HE wants to see rather than what fans want to or setting up a more cohesive and traditional beginning. I’m being optimistic though.
The first thing we should look at here is the name of the Chapter. These stories all all being bracketed into one chapter that all has an interconnection. Chapter 1: Gods & Monsters So, lets look at the characters they have put in this first Chapter. Superman: We know what he is. He does not think he is that. He does not think of himself as a God. Does the world think of him as this? Probably not when there is a universe that is already in motion. This Superman may not be a young as some think. This Superman… Read more »
Eh, we’ll see. Time will tell as always. This lineup does seem a bit jumbled as of now, but many things can/might in time. I would have preferred leaving Damian for a later time, where he could play off of Jon way down the road. Some of the stories with them both worked really well I thought and the Animated movie Super Sons was well done overall. Now that cannot happen, which stinks. Especially since that type of movie in 5+ years would have been very different than anything any other studio could have done. (for multiple reasons) And I… Read more »