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DC Universe (franchise)

From EverybodyWiki Bios & Wiki

DC Universe
Logo used across all DC Entertainment media since 2016.
Created byDC Studios
Original workCreature Commandos (TBA)
OwnerWarner Bros. Discovery

The DC Universe (DCU) is an upcoming American media franchise produced by DC Studios, and based on characters appearing in DC Comics publications. Intended as a spiritual successor and soft reboot[upper-alpha 1] of the DC Extended Universe (DCEU), the DCU will include animation, video games, and content in other mediums which will share continuity with the films and television series in the franchise.

James Gunn and Peter Safran were hired to succeed Walter Hamada as the co-chairmen and CEOs of the restructured DC Studios beginning November 2022. That month, the pair began development on a rebooted slate of films intended for rejuvenating interest in the cinematic iterations of various DC characters, including re-envisioning major properties that had been stuck in development hell and de-prioritized in the later years of the DCEU.

Development[edit]

See also: DC Extended Universe § Merger of Warner Bros. with Discovery Inc., rebranding, new management and ending the franchise. (2022–2023)

In April 2022, following the merger of Discovery Inc. with WarnerMedia, Warner Bros. Discovery announced to overhaul the functions of DC Entertainment and DC Films productions following poor box office reception of DCEU films. The President and CEO of the newly merged company, David Zaslav expressed that he believes that "DC lacks coherent creative and brand strategy and is looking to hire a czar of creativity and strategy, comparable to rival Marvel Studios' Kevin Feige with the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Discovery intends to revitalize certain top-tier DC characters that they believe had been neglected in previous years, such as Superman."[2]

In October 2022, Hamada was revealed to be departing his role as a CEO of DC Films division at the end of October, James Gunn and Peter Safran were announced as the new co-CEOs and co-chairmen, with the two overseeing all future DC projects including film, television, and animation.[3] It was also revealed that then DC Films studio will now become DC Studios. Peter Safran, who was expected to supervise all business and production-related duties at the studio, had previously served as producer on several DCEU films, like Aquaman (2018), Shazam! (2019) and The Suicide Squad (2021), as well as the television series Peacemaker (2022–present) with James Gunn collaborating on the last two projects as a director and writer.

The duo were expected to report directly to David Zaslav while often collaborating with other film studio heads at WBD, although they would remain autonomous in their day-to-day operations. The creative and production-based duties were split between Gunn and Safran respectively as they began their new roles within the studio effectively at the start of November 2022.[4][5][6] Alongside the announcement of their joint leadership over DC Studios following the restructure, Gunn and Safran issued a statement asserting that, "Our commitment to Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Harley Quinn, and the rest of the DC stable of characters is only equaled by our commitment to the wonder of human possibility these characters represent. We're excited to...tell some of the biggest, most beautiful, and grandest stories ever told."[4]

In December 2022, Gunn and Safran had their first meeting as heads of DC Studios with WBD, where they presented a brief outline for a new DC-based film franchise that encompassed multiple mediums on a greater scale than the DCEU. Outside of the existing film and television pillars, the pair pitched a multimedia project that would see their franchise break into animation and video games, among other mediums.[7] That same month, WBD and Gunn began referring to the new shared universe as the "DC Universe" (DCU), a branding directly inspired by the shared universe of the same name depicted in major DC Comics publications.[8][9] Gunn has cited the DC Animated Universe (DCAU) and the television series Young Justice (2010–2022) as significant inspirations for his and Safran's slate of projects for the new DCU.[10]

Later that month, Gunn announced that the new DC movie slate prepared by him and Safran had been finalized, and the few movies from the slate were to be announced in January. He also announced that a new Superman movie was in development, which would focus on a younger version of the hero, and therefore would not be played by Henry Cavill; Cavill later confirmed he would be stepping down from his role of Clark Kent / Superman which he portrayed in DCEU.[11] In January 2023, Variety reported that the new universe would be a "broad but not blanket reset" for the film franchise.[12]

On January 31, 2023, Gunn and Safran unveiled multiple projects that were in development and scheduled to release between multiple formats including theatrical, standard television and streaming over the next 8–10 years. The first chapter of the franchise, titled "Gods and Monsters", includes the films Superman: Legacy (2025), The Authority, The Brave and the Bold, Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow and Swamp Thing, as well as the television series Waller, Creature Commandos, Lanterns, Paradise Lost, and Booster Gold. Though Superman: Legacy will be considered the start of the DCU, Creature Commandos and Waller will be released prior to it and were considered "aperitif" for the DCU. They also assembled a writers' room featuring Drew Goddard, Jeremy Slater, Christina Hodson, Christal Henry, and Tom King.[13] The DCU will consist of a centralized universe containing films, animation and video games. Projects that are not a part of the shared universe will be branded as "Elseworlds".[14] Gunn and Safran also stated that “the door is always open” for Ezra Miller, Gal Gadot, Jason Momoa and Zachary Levi to continue playing the same characters they did in DCEU films, with Miller still being focused on their mental health recovery following a series of incidents in 2022.[13][15]

Films[edit]

Film U.S. release date Directed by Written by Produced by Status
Chapter One: Gods and Monsters[13]
Superman: Legacy July 11, 2025 (2025-07-11) TBA James Gunn James Gunn and Peter Safran In development
The Authority TBA TBA TBA
The Brave and the Bold TBA TBA TBA
Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow TBA TBA TBA
Swamp Thing TBA TBA TBA

Superman: Legacy (2025)[edit]

By October 2022, Gunn and Safran had commenced work on a new film set within the DCU, following their successful collaboration on the DCEU film The Suicide Squad (2021) and the television series Peacemaker (2022–present). It was reported to be the first of multiple DC-based projects.[16] In early December 2022, Gunn announced that among his new slate of films he was preparing to present to Zaslav, he was in the process of actively developing a new standalone Superman film. Himself serving as screenwriter, Gunn confirmed that the new film would dissociate from the version of the character in the DCEU, instead serving as a reboot of the film series focusing on a younger interpretation of Clark Kent as he begins working at the Daily Planet, while forgoing a retelling of the character's origin story. Alongside the film's announcement, actor Henry Cavill who portrayed the DCEU's Clark Kent / Superman and was slated to return for a planned sequel to Man of Steel (2013) following his appearance in the film Black Adam (2022), announced that he would not be reprising the role for the upcoming project or any future appearances from the character.[17][18]

In January 2023, Gunn announced the film as being officially titled Superman: Legacy, and described it as the "true start" to the studio's overarching narrative for the DCU.[19] The film is scheduled to release on July 11, 2025.[13]

The Authority[edit]

In January 2023, James Gunn announced that a film centered around the superhero team The Authority was in development. Gunn stated that the film would integrate characters from DC's WildStorm imprint into the continuity of the DCU so they may interact with core DC Comics characters in future projects.[20]

The Brave and the Bold[edit]

In December 2022, James Gunn confirmed to a user on Twitter that Batman would play "a big part" in the coming narrative of the DCU.[21] Around the same timeframe, both Gunn and The Batman (2022) director Matt Reeves debunked numerous speculative reports insinuating that Reeves' film and its incarnation of Bruce Wayne / Batman played by Robert Pattinson, would be integrated into the continuity of the new DCU, with Gunn calling such suggestions "entirely untrue".[22] Reeves separately confirmed in January 2023 that he was meeting with Gunn and Safran to discuss the "broad plan" for the projects in his "BatVerse", and how they would continue to co-exist and inform the direction of the character in the DCU.[23]

The next month, Gunn officially announced The Brave and the Bold, a film intended to introduce the DCU's interpretations of Bruce Wayne / Batman and Damian Wayne / Robin, as well as the formation of the Batfamily in future projects. Gunn cited Grant Morrison's Batman comic books as the primary inspiration behind the film's story and confirmed that a new actor separate from either Robert Pattinson or Ben Affleck, who portrayed the character in the DCEU, would be cast as Bruce Wayne. The film will exist seperate from Matt Reeves' future projects within The Batman continuity.[13]

Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow[edit]

In January 2023, James Gunn announced a standalone film featuring the character Supergirl, which would derive significantly from the Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow miniseries by writer Tom King.[24]

Swamp Thing[edit]

In January 2023, James Gunn announced a film centered on the character Swamp Thing. Gunn described the film as a "very dark horror story" focused on the monster's origins, and stated that despite its tonal disparity with the rest of the DCU continuity, it would still seamlessly integrate into the overarching story regardless.[25]

Television series[edit]

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Creature Commandos[edit]

In January 2023, Gunn revealed on Twitter that at that point in time, he was in the process of scripting an additional, unannounced television series set within the DCU.[26] Later that month, Gunn announced he was writing an animated series featuring the Creature Commandos, and remarked that it would set a precedent for characters being able to transition between animated and live-action appearances within the DCU while retaining the same actors across both mediums.[27]

Creature Commandos is set to release on HBO Max.[13]

Waller[edit]

By May 2022, a series centering around the character Amanda Waller entered in development, with Viola Davis reprising her role from the DCEU franchise and serving as executive producer. Christal Henry will write the series and executive produce alongside Gunn and Safran. The series is intended to follow the character after the events of the first season of Peacemaker.[28] The series was officially titled Waller by Gunn in January 2023, who also revealed the plot would center around Amanda Waller teaming up with her former operatives from A.R.G.U.S..[29]

Waller is set to release on HBO Max.[28] A main character from Creature Commandos will appear in the series.[30]

Lanterns[edit]

In December 2022, Gunn asserted that the Green Lantern Corps were an "important" component to the wider DCU, but ruled out the potential return of actor Ryan Reynolds as the Hal Jordan version of the character, which he previously played in the film Green Lantern (2011), a prospect he claimed was "not a priority for me and even much less of one for [Ryan Reynolds]".[31][32]

In January 2023, Gunn announced Lanterns, a television series principally focused on the characters Hal Jordan and John Stewart from the Green Lantern Corps, while also featuring other Lanterns within the narrative. He described the series as a terrestrial-based story "that is almost True Detective with a couple of Green Lanterns", and insinuated the plot would revolve around a mystery the pair discover while monitoring Earth.[33]

Paradise Lost[edit]

In January 2023, James Gunn announced Paradise Lost, a television series focusing on the Amazons on the nation of Themyscira, the birthplace of Diana Prince / Wonder Woman. Gunn compared the show and its setting to Westeros in the series Game of Thrones (2011–2019).[34]

Booster Gold[edit]

In January 2023, James Gunn announced a series featuring the character Booster Gold. He likened the story to the "superhero equivalent of Impostor syndrome" due to the premise of a "loser from the future" travelling back in time to become a superhero and garner admiration from the public.[35]

Potential projects[edit]

  • Ben Affleck project: In December 2022, James Gunn stated on Twitter that he and co-chairman Peter Safran had personally met with Ben Affleck regarding potentially directing a future DCU film. Affleck previously portrayed Bruce Wayne / Batman in the DCEU films Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Suicide Squad (both 2016), Justice League (2017) and its director's cut (2021), and was by then intended to reprise the role in both The Flash and Aquaman and The Lost Kingdom (both 2023). Additionally, Affleck was previously lined to direct, write and star in The Batman (2022). Gunn stated that Affleck "wants to direct and we want him to direct", and that it was just a matter of finding the right project for him to get involved.[36]
  • Untitled James Gunn film: By October 2022, Gunn and Peter Safran were working on a new film set within the franchise, following Gunn's success with The Suicide Squad and the television series Peacemaker. It was said to be the first of multiple projects.[37]
  • Lobo: In November 2022, Jason Momoa, who portrays Arthur Curry / Aquaman in the DCEU, revealed that under the new leadership of DC Studios, he was involved in a project that he described as a "dream come true", though he could not yet provide more details.[38] In later interviews he stated that the film would feature one of his favorite superheroes,[39] with reports clarifying that Momoa was talking about a Lobo project.[40][41] In December 2022, it was confirmed that Momoa was connected creatively in the making of the film.[42]

Expanded setting[edit]

Upon announcing the new slate for the DCU, James Gunn stated that the Joker and The Batman franchises and television series Teen Titans Go! would be seperate from the DCU and would be released under the Elseworlds brand.

See also[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. ↑ DC Studios CEO James Gunn describes the DC as a "broad but not blanket reset" of the DCEU, implying that select elements from the latter would be retained for the former.[1]

References[edit]

  1. ↑ https://variety.com/2023/film/news/dwayne-johnson-dc-exit-black-adam-superman-failed-plan-1235478867/
  2. ↑ Lang, Brent; Donnelly, Matt (April 14, 2022). "Warner Bros. Discovery Exploring Overhaul of DC Entertainment (Exclusive)". Variety. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
  3. ↑ Otterson, James (October 25, 2022). "James Gunn, Peter Safran to Lead DC Studios for Warner Bros. Discovery". Variety. Retrieved October 26, 2022.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Couch, Borys Kit,Aaron; Kit, Borys; Couch, Aaron (October 25, 2022). "DC Shocker: James Gunn, Peter Safran to Lead Film, TV and Animation Division (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved December 18, 2022.
  5. ↑ Lang, Matt Donnelly,Brent; Donnelly, Matt; Lang, Brent (October 25, 2022). "James Gunn and Peter Safran Give DC Studios and David Zaslav Bold, Brash and Slightly Risky New Guardians". Variety. Retrieved December 18, 2022.
  6. ↑ McMillan, Graeme. "DC Has a Chance to Save Superman. Here's What It Needs to Do". Wired. ISSN 1059-1028. Retrieved December 18, 2022.
  7. ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony; D'Alessandro, Anthony (November 10, 2022). "Warner Bros Discovery Boss David Zaslav Holds Town Hall With New DC Heads James Gunn & Peter Safran About New Cohesive Universe". Deadline. Retrieved December 18, 2022.
  8. ↑ "Warner Bros. Confirms "DC Universe" As Official Name of DCEU". DC. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
  9. ↑ Schaefer, Sandy (October 26, 2022). "The DC Extended Universe Is No More, Long Live The DC Universe". /Film. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
  10. ↑ Motamayor, Rafael (December 21, 2022). "James Gunn's DCU Plans Take Inspiration From DC's Animated Series". /Film. Retrieved December 31, 2022.
  11. ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (December 15, 2022). "Henry Cavill Confirms Exit As Superman: "My Turn To Wear The Cape Has Passed"". Deadline. Retrieved December 22, 2022.
  12. ↑ Siegel, Tatiana (January 4, 2023). "Secret Meetings, Tequila and Black Adam vs. Superman: How Dwayne Johnson's Bid for DC Power Flamed Out". Variety. Retrieved January 5, 2023.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 13.4 13.5 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. Retrieved January 31, 2023.
  14. ↑ Kit, Borys (January 31, 2023). "DC Slate Unveiled: New Batman, Supergirl Movies, a Green Lantern TV Show, and More from James Gunn, Peter Safran". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on January 31, 2023. Retrieved January 31, 2023. Unknown parameter |url-status= ignored (help)
  15. ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony; D'Alessandro, Anthony (2023-01-31). "Ezra Miller's 'Flash' Future Addressed By New DC Bosses". Deadline. Retrieved 2023-02-01.
  16. ↑ Kit, Borys; Kit, Borys (October 17, 2022). "DC at a Turning Point: James Gunn Pitches Secret Movie, Dwayne Johnson Flexes His Superman Power (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved December 19, 2022.
  17. ↑ Donnelly, Matt; Donnelly, Matt (December 15, 2022). "James Gunn Writing New 'Superman' Film; Henry Cavill Will Not Return, but Eyed to Play Different DC Character". Variety. Retrieved December 19, 2022.
  18. ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony; D'Alessandro, Anthony (December 15, 2022). "New 'Superman' Pic In The Works With James Gunn Penning, Henry Cavill Not To Star; Ben Affleck In Talks To Helm A Future DC Pic". Deadline. Retrieved December 19, 2022.
  19. ↑ "DC's New Slate: 10 Movies and TV Shows That Kick Off the DCU". January 31, 2023. Retrieved January 31, 2023.
  20. ↑ Oddo, Marco Vito (January 31, 2023). "'The Authority' Movie Will Bring WildStorm Characters to the New DCU". Collider. Retrieved January 31, 2023.
  21. ↑ Sinha, Sujita (December 16, 2022). "James Gunn calls Batman a 'big part of the DCU'". Mashable ME. Retrieved December 19, 2022.
  22. ↑ Nash, Anthony (December 14, 2022). "James Gunn Debunks Report About The Batman Joining the DCU". ComingSoon.net – Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More. Retrieved December 19, 2022.
  23. ↑ Flook, Ray (January 13, 2023). "The Batman Universe/DCU: Matt Reeves Meeting with Gunn, Safran Soon". Bleeding Cool News And Rumors. Retrieved January 16, 2023.
  24. ↑ Welk, Brian; Welk, Brian (January 31, 2023). "Superman, Batman, Supergirl, and Swamp Thing Movies, Green Lantern Series Among DC Universe's First Chapter". IndieWire. Retrieved January 31, 2023.
  25. ↑ Squires, John (January 31, 2023). "'Swamp Thing' – James Gunn and DC Developing a Horror-Focused New Movie!". Bloody Disgusting!. Retrieved January 31, 2023.
  26. ↑ Mitovich, Matt Webb (January 5, 2023). "James Gunn Teases an 'Unannounced DC TV Show' He Is Busy Writing". TVLine. Retrieved January 31, 2023.
  27. ↑ O'Rourke, Ryan (January 31, 2023). "James Gunn Announces 'Creature Commandos' Animated Series With First Look Image". Collider. Retrieved January 31, 2023.
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 Otterson, Joe (May 3, 2022). "Viola Davis in Talks to Star as Amanda Waller in 'Peacemaker' Spinoff Series at HBO Max". Variety. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
  29. ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (January 31, 2023). "'Peacemaker' Spinoff Series 'Waller' With Viola Davis A Go, 'Doom Patrol' Creator Jeremy Carver Joins As Scribe". Deadline. Retrieved January 31, 2023.
  30. ↑ "James Gunn and Peter Safran on Building a New DC Universe". DC. 2023-01-31. Retrieved 2023-02-01.
  31. ↑ "James Gunn Says Green Lantern Content Is Important". Movies. Retrieved December 19, 2022.
  32. ↑ Lund, Anthony (December 12, 2022). "James Gunn Addresses The Return of Ryan Reynolds as DCU's Green Lantern". MovieWeb. Retrieved December 19, 2022.
  33. ↑ Goslin, Austen; Good, Owen S. (January 31, 2023). "Here's the official DC movie slate under James Gunn". Polygon. Retrieved January 31, 2023.
  34. ↑ Treese, Tyler (January 31, 2023). "Upcoming DCU Schedule Detailed by James Gunn, 10 Projects Announced". ComingSoon.net – Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More. Retrieved January 31, 2023.
  35. ↑ O'Rourke, Ryan (January 31, 2023). "'Booster Gold' Live-Action Series Announced for DCU". Collider. Retrieved January 31, 2023.
  36. ↑ "Ben Affleck lined up for DC return – but not as Batman". Digital Spy. December 15, 2022. Retrieved December 19, 2022.
  37. ↑ Kit, Borys (October 17, 2022). "DC at a Turning Point: James Gunn Pitches Secret Movie, Dwayne Johnson Flexes His Superman Power (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on October 17, 2022. Retrieved October 17, 2022. Unknown parameter |url-status= ignored (help)
  38. ↑ Sharf, Zack (November 8, 2022). "Jason Momoa "Excited" by James Gunn Taking Over DC Universe: "One of My Dreams" Will Come True Under His Watch". Variety. Retrieved November 12, 2022.
  39. ↑ Feitag, Lee (November 10, 2022). "EXCLUSIVE: Jason Momoa Reacts to Lobo Rumors, Says Fans Will Love His Secret DC Project". Comic Book Resource. Retrieved November 12, 2022.
  40. ↑ Echebiri, Makouchi (November 9, 2022). "Jason Momoa Sparks Rumors of Lobo Coming to the DCEU". Collider. Retrieved November 12, 2022.
  41. ↑ Felt, Klein (November 9, 2022). "Did Jason Momoa Just Reveal He's Playing Superman Villain Lobo In the New DCU?". The Direct. Retrieved November 12, 2022.
  42. ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony & Justin Kroll (December 8, 2022). "DC Disruption Has Town Jittery: What's Next For 'Man Of Steel' & Other Sequels After 'Wonder Woman 3' Jolt". Deadline. Retrieved December 8, 2022.

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