The DC Universe now embarks on a venture with Chapter One: Gods and Monsters. With James Gunn and Peter Safran now in charge, this slate of interlacing projects exists to rebuild the franchise with a unified purpose and new vision. No more disjointed storytelling or misaligned vision. Gods and Monsters opt, instead, for a mix of recognizable heroes, deep comic cuts, and new spins across both films and series. Let’s get into the ambitious slate that will dimension with a DCU restart.
DCU Chapter One: Gods and Monsters projects are as follows
Creature Commandos (Animated Series)
DC Studios’ #CreatureCommandos, the new Max Original Series, premieres this December exclusively on @StreamOnMax. pic.twitter.com/byFbxVEFpP
— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) July 26, 2024
Opening up Chapter One is Creature Commandos, an animated show that’s currently available to watch on Max. Written by James Gunn, and directed by Matt Peters and Sam Liu, this series gives a fun, action-oriented introduction to the new DCU.
The film also includes the all-human Amanda Waller’s (Viola Davis) Suicide Squad, just as the story is about Waller putting together a crew of misfit monstrosities like the Bride of Frankenstein, G.I. Robot, and Weasel. This motley crew works with the irreverent tone and dark humor that fans have come to expect from Gunn’s output. Creature Commandos may not be aiming to be a ground-shaking spectacular, but it does establish the template for what’s to come — a blend of bloodshed, comedy, and brief glimpses of emotional resonance.
Superman: Legacy (Movie)
The crown jewel of DC’s revitalization, Superman: Legacy, is scheduled to release on July 11, 2025. Written and directed by Gunn, this film reintroduces the Man of Steel (David Corenswet), with Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane.
This is not an origin story, unlike previous Superman films. Rather, it examines the struggle Superman himself has reconciling his Kryptonian legacy with his human upbringing. In the past Gunn has called the film a hopeful but still gritty take on the character, portraying kindness and optimism in an otherwise cynical world.
But Superman won’t be alone. The film will include other DC superheroes like Hawkgirl, Mister Terrific, and Green Lantern Guy Gardner. This ensemble approach is a precursor to a bigger, interconnected universe.
Peacemaker (Season 2)
On this day, #Peacemaker aka Christopher Smith made his first comic appearance in Fightin’ 5 #40, in 1966, created by Joe Gill and Pat Boyette. It’s the role @JohnCena was born to play, and I can’t wait to show you all what we’re cooking up now for @Peacemaker Season 2! pic.twitter.com/LRkiIlHpER
— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) September 2, 2024
John Cena’s Peacemaker comes back for Season 2 in August 2025, right after Superman: Legacy debuts on Max. This continuation of The Suicide Squad antihero’s journey features a healthy dose of Gunn’s classic humor and emotional resonance.
The first teaser shows Peacemaker raising a toast with his crew, but the tone is going to be darker this season. Frank Grillo’s Rick Flag Sr. is on the trail, perhaps out for revenge for his son’s demise in The Suicide Squad. Gunn has dropped hints that Joel Kinnaman could return as Rick Flag Jr., but the character’s actual inclusion is ambiguous.
Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow (Movie)
‘Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow’ will release on June 26, 2026!
(via https://t.co/jtrhh4YJkd) pic.twitter.com/lOvN5GmDiz
— Home of DCU (@homeofdcu) May 14, 2024
Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow is drastically different in tone from its Superman counterpart. The movie, set to hit theaters on June 26, 2026, features Milly Alcock as Kara Zor-El.
Drawing on Tom King’s award-winning comic, this story explores Kara’s path as a survivor of Krypton’s destruction. Whereas Superman was raised on Earth by loving parents, Kara grew up on Krypton and witnessed the death and destruction of the planet.
According to the comic, Woman of Tomorrow, the film might focus on Kara’s journey to Earth in search of his cousin Kal-El (Superman). However, Kal-el is all grown up, and it’s Kara who needs to find her own path in a strange new world. Their no official confirmation about the plot of the film yet.
The Brave and the Bold (Movie)
The #Superman trailer pulled the trigger & showed a lot of characters & I can’t help but imagine the first trailer for Brave & the Bold immediately showing us the entire Bat family for the first time. Need that. pic.twitter.com/xsAsLExJjh
— Matt Ramos (@therealsupes) December 20, 2024
The Brave and the Bold introduces a new Batman, directed by Andy Muschietti, known for films like It and Flash. This one features Bruce Wayne and his dissident son, Damian Wayne, a trained assassin who becomes the new Robin.
Based on Grant Morrison’s run on overall Batman comics, the movie delves into the complicated father-and-son relationship. Gunn has teased a greater Bat Family in his new DCU with Nightwing, Batgirl, and Red Hood potentially taking part in a future project. And while no release date is set, this project is sounding like a new take on everybody’s favorite Dark Knight that’ll make us all sit up and pay attention.
Waller (Live-Action Series)
DC Chapter 1 Gods and Monsters
2nd project: Waller (Live action HBO Max series)
“Viola Davis is coming back as her character, Amanda Waller. This is also going to have some of the Peacemaker team in it as regulars on the show. This basically follows up Peacemaker.”
👀 #DCStudios pic.twitter.com/7fvE7LwGhU— DC Fanverse🟢🦇 (@DCFanverse) January 31, 2023
Amanda Waller finally gets the spotlight in her own live-action series, Waller. Picking up where Peacemaker season 1 left off, the show connects the dots between the anti-hero’s individual storyline and the greater DCU saga.
Penned by Christal Henry (Watchmen) and Jeremy Carver (Doom Patrol), the series plunges into Waller’s morally gray world of espionage. With its dark tone and high stakes, Waller should make for an exciting exploration of the notoriously ruthless leader of Task Force X.
Paradise Lost (Live-Action Series)
The overview for Wonder Woman Historia hints that the comics will inspire Paradise Lost:
“Required reading for fans excited about the upcoming television series PARADISE LOST, announced by James Gunn as part of the first chapter of the new DC Universe media slate!” pic.twitter.com/VKUmjTMNex
— Home of DCU (@homeofdcu) July 17, 2023
This series is still in active development and is next in line to receive a green light. According to Gunn, the series will be a prequel and is expected to offer Game of Thrones-type insight into the power struggles and culture of the Amazons.
Paradise Lost will be set in Themyscira, Wonder Woman’s home world, will focus on internal politics and dark secrets of the Amazons. Although details are not forthcoming, the project should pave the way for Diana Prince’s eventual appearance in the DCU.
Lanterns (Live-Action Series)
According to @THR
-Lanterns is looking to shoot from next January to June in Atlanta.
-Series would focus on Hal reluctantly mentoring a younger Lantern, John Stewart
-Chris Pine or Ewan McGregor were mostly wishful thinking. pic.twitter.com/UUPD4QKkwe
— Everything_DCU (@EverythingDCU_) September 23, 2024
Lanterns follows Green Lanterns Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler) and John Stewart (Aaron Pierre) as they dive into a murder mystery set on Earth. Promising, True Detective meets cosmic horror vibes, this eight-episode series is scheduled for release in 2026.
It would be a grounded narrative but also one that is expansive and delves into the grittiness of Green Lantern lore. With the release of the new Superman film teaser trailer, Nathan Fillion is the third Earth Green Lantern who could be involved in the Lantern series.
Additional Projects and Rumors
The Authority is now being reworked to be an animated film!
(Via @ApocHorseman ) pic.twitter.com/KGGBhb2b0a
— Everything_DCU (@EverythingDCU_) November 23, 2024
- The Authority: A group of morally ambiguous heroes exploring the darker side of heroism.
- Booster Gold: A time-traveling comedy-drama about a 25th-century man posing as a hero in the present day.
- Swamp Thing: Directed by James Mangold, this gothic horror film explores the origins of the misunderstood character and his connection to the supernatural.
- Lobo: Rumors suggest the intergalactic bounty hunter may join the DCU soon, though details are yet to be confirmed.
Chapter One: Gods and Monsters takes the DC Universe in a bold new direction. Gunn and Safran hope to revitalize the franchise by mixing big-name characters with more obscure tales, and focusing on interconnected storytelling.
