The DC Universe, or DCU, is a franchise of interconnected projects that will include feature length films, animated series, live-action series, and video games. It is being created by James Gunn and Peter Safran, with Gunn primarily taking the role of writer or showrunner, and Safran being the producer. It’s important to note that while every project in the DCU utilizes DC Comics characters, not every project with DC Comics characters is DCU(i.e The Penguin on MAX, Cartoon Network’s upcoming Beast Boy: Lone Wolf,  Joker: Folie à Deux, etc). General rule of thumb, if James Gunn doesn’t specify that a project is in the DCU, it probably isn’t. So here is every project in James Gunn’s DCU, and what we know so far.    

“Superman”

Superman will have the first feature-length film in Gunn’s DCU. Set to release on July 11, 2025, Superman will feature plenty of Superman’s cast of characters, as well as a few other notable Justice League-level heroes. The cast includes:

• David Cornswet as Clark Kent/Superman
• Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane
• Skyler Gisondo as Jimmy Olson
• Wendell Pierce as Perry White
• Beck Bennet as Steve Lombard
• Mikaela Hoover as Cat Grant
• Chistopher Mcdonald as Ron Troupe
• Pruitt Taylor Vince as Jonathan Kent  
• Neva Howell as Martha Kent
• Edi Gathegi as Michael Holt / Mister Terrific
• Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl
• Anthony Carrigan as Rex Mason / Metamorpho
• Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner / Green Lantern
• María Gabriela de Faría as Angela Spica / The Engineer
• Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor
• Sara Sampaio as Eve Teschmacher
• Terence Rosemore as Otis
• Frank Grillo as Rick Flag Sr. 
• Sean Gunn as the businessman Maxwell Lord
• Milly Alcock as Kara Zor-El / Supergirl

Additionally, Alan Tudyk is cast as an undisclosed role at this time, and a dog will be playing the part of Krypto the Superdog, Superman’s animal companion. We also know from leaked set photos that there will be a character in a full black suit with a “U” emblem on his chest, who is speculated to be Ultraman, though that information is not yet confirmed. We don’t know the story of the movie at this time. 

“Lanterns”

Gunn describes it as a “Terrestrial based TV show—like true detective with a couple of Green Lanterns—who are space cops watching over Precinct Earth. In it they discover a terrifying mystery that ties into our largest story of the DCU.”  We know that the series will focus on the two most well known Green Lanterns, Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler) and John Stewart (Aaron Pierre.) It is unknown at this time if the Green Lantern, Guy Gardner (Nathan Fillion), will make an appearance.

“Creature Commandos”

Amanda Waller is no longer allowed to put human lives at stake for her operations, so she assembles a strictly non-human task force for her missions: The Creature Commandos. Premiering on Dec. 5, 2024, the seven-episode animated series will stream on MAX. The cast includes:

• Steve Agee as John Economos 
• Maria Bakalova as Princess Ilana Rostovic, an original character created for the series
• Anya Chalotra as Circe
• Zoë Chao as Nina Mazursky
• Frank Grillo as Rick Flag Sr.
• Sean Gunn as both G.I. Robot and Weasel
• David Harbour as Eric Frankenstein
• Alan Tudyk as Doctor Phosphorus
• Indira Varma as the Bride
• Viola Davis as Amanda Waller
• Benjamin Byron Davis as Rupert Thorne.
• Michael Rooker, Linda Cardellini, Gregg Henry, and Peter Serafinowicz also have guest roles in the series. Clayface is also shown to appear in a teaser trailer for the series.

It’s worth noting that Gunn has put emphasis on a character being portrayed by the same actor in live action, animation, and video games. We can see this firsthand, as Frank Grillo will be portraying Rick Flag Sr. in both the live action Superman film and the animated Creature Commandos series. 

“Brave and the Bold”

Brave and the Bold is a film lined up for the DCU. It will follow Batman and the current Robin, Damien Wayne, who is Batman’s biological son. Gunn has stated the film will be based on Grant Morrison’s run on the characters. We have no information on casting or release date.

“Dynamic Duo”

Dynamic Duo is an upcoming film produced by Swaybox Studios which will utilize puppetry, stop-motion animation, and CGI. The film is set to follow the first two Robins, Dick Grayson and Jason Todd. Whether this film will see them working under the “Robin” moniker or their own vigilante identities—Nightwing and Red Hood respectively—is unknown.

“Peacemaker” Season 2

Peacemaker is in an odd spot because Gunn took over the DCU in between the show’s seasons. He has specified that while the first season of Peacemaker is not canon to the DCU, as it takes place in the DC Extended Universe (DCEU), the events of the second season will be canon. The second season is set to premiere on MAX in 2025 and will consist of eight episodes.

“Waller”

Waller is a miniseries spin-off of Peacemaker. It tells the story of Amanda Waller (Viola Davis) teaming up with members of Project Butterfly. The series will be created by Christal Henry and Jeremy Carver. Its current release date is unknown.

Untitled Blue Beetle” animated series

This is a similar instance to Peacemaker; Blue Beetle was a 2023 film set in the DCEU that starred Xolo Maridueña as Jaime Reyes/Blue Beetle. In June of 2024, it was reported that Maridueña’s Blue Beetle would be receiving an animated sequel series that will take place in the DCU. It will be written by Christian Martinez and directed by Miguel Puga, and will be available on MAX.

“Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow” 

Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow is an upcoming film based on the comic of the same name. The cast currently includes Milly Alcock as Kara Zor-El/Supergirl, Eve Ridley as Ruthye Marye Knoll, and Matthias Schoenaerts as Krem of the Yellow Hills. The dog playing Krypto the Superdog is slated to reprise his role. The film is set to be released on June 26, 2026. 

“Swamp Thing”

James Gunn describes Swamp Thing as a very dark horror story that, while outside of the DCU, will feed into the rest of the stories. We do not know any further information on the film at this time.

Untitled Teen Titans Movie

In March of 2024, it was announced that a Teen Titans film in Gunn’s DCU was in the works. All that is known as of publishing is that the film will be live action and written by Ana Nogueira. 

“Authority”

Gunn describes the Authority as a group of superheroes who think the world is broken and they want to fix it by any means necessary. The film Authority will be based on the Wildstorm series of the same name and Gunn intends to fully integrate the Authority in with the rest of the DCU.

“Paradise Lost”

Paradise Lost will be the story of Paradise Island, also known as Themyscira, and its inhabitants. This film is likely to introduce the DCU’s Wonder Woman, as she is from Themyscira. Gunn compares Paradise Lost to Westeros from Game of Thrones. Whether or not he is implying that Paradise Lost will have a similar energy and theming to Game of Thrones, or just using the fictional nation as a simile for Themyscira is unknown. No further information is available as of publishing.  

“Booster Gold”

Booster Gold will be a live action series following the hero of the same name. Gunn describes Booster Gold as a loser from the future who uses future technology to come back to the present day and become a superhero so that people will love him. He says it is the superhero story of imposter syndrome on a MAX series. No other information is available at this time. 

Untitled Bane and Deathstroke film

In September of 2024, a team up film centered on the villains Bane and Deathstroke was in the works. At this time, all we know is that Matthew Orton will be writing the film.

James Gunn has made it clear that he truly loves all these characters and the source material they hail from. He believes that Superhero projects should have just as much heart and soul as any other artform. Between the Guardians of the Galaxy movies and the Suicide Squad films, I think James Gunn has proved himself to be an excellent artist. These projects are both his passion project, and his career. He has successfully captivated audiences before, and I have no doubt he’ll do it time and time again.