TheDC Universe (DCU) is an Americanmedia franchise andshared universe based on characters fromDC Comics publications. It was created byJames Gunn andPeter Safran, co-chairmen and co-CEOs ofDC Studios. The DCU is asoft reboot of a previous franchise, theDC Extended Universe (DCEU), retaining select cast members and narrative elements but disregarding others. In contrast to the previous state of DC Comics adaptations, the DCU features a unifiedcontinuity and story across live-action films and television, animation, and video games. Concurrent DC adaptations that do not fit this continuity are labeled "DC Elseworlds".
AfterDiscovery, Inc. andWarnerMedia merged to becomeWarner Bros. Discovery (WBD), CEODavid Zaslav revealed a plan to revitalize the DC brand following the poor reception of the DCEU. Gunn and Safran were hired to lead the newly formed DC Studios in November 2022 after working on several DCEU projects, including the filmThe Suicide Squad (2021) and its spin-off seriesPeacemaker (2022–2025). The pair spent several months with a group of writers developing the overarching story for a new DC continuity that features a mix of popular and obscure DC characters. Some DCEU projects in development were abandoned in favor of new takes, while others—includingPeacemaker—continued within the new franchise. Certain DCEU actors reprise their roles in the DCU, with others recast. Gunn and Safran wanted to focus on storytelling needs rather than forcing creators to complete their projects to meet specific release dates.
The story of the DCU is divided into chapters. The first chapter, "Gods and Monsters", begins with the first season of the animated seriesCreature Commandos, released in 2024. Gunn and Safran consider the chapter's first film,Superman (2025), to be the true beginning of the DCU.
"The history of DC is pretty messed up. There is theArrowverse. There is theDCEU which then split and became theJoss WhedonJustice League at one point, became theSnyder-verse at the other point. There wasSuperman & Lois, there's theReeves-verse… we came in and did [The Suicide Squad] and that becamePeacemaker and all of a suddenBat-Mite is a real guy… No one was minding the mint, they were just giving away IP like they were party favors to any creators that smiled at them."
Batman v Superman did not meet Warner Bros.' box-office expectations and received negative responses from fans and critics.[6] Warner Bros. felt they could no longer give Snyder the "long leash" he had onMan of Steel andBatman v Superman,[7] and reorganized future DC projects under the newDC Films division.[8] Executive Jon Berg and comic book writerGeoff Johns were set to run DC Films and wanted to makeJustice League more optimistic and hopeful.[8][9] When the studio was not satisfied with their efforts,Joss Whedon was hired to write reshoots for the film.[9] Snyder left the film after the death of his daughter in March 2017,[10] and Whedon completed the film with significant changes.[10][11]Justice League was another critical and commercial disappointment for Warner Bros., and the studio was again rethinking its approach to DC in late 2017.[12] Following the film's failure, Warner Bros. met withMarvel Studios presidentKevin Feige to discuss if he would lead DC. Feige apparently entertained the idea, but the talks reportedly "fizzled".[13] Berg and Johns left DC Films, and a plannedBatman spin-off film was reworked into directorMatt Reeves'sThe Batman (2022), a film separate from the DCEU.[12]
Warner Bros. intended for future DCEU films to be more standalone than their previous interconnected plan.[14]Walter Hamada was appointed the new president of DC Films in January 2018.[15] That October,James Gunn was hired to write and directThe Suicide Squad (2021),[16][17] astandalone sequel to the earlier DCEU filmSuicide Squad (2016) which retained some cast members but otherwise told its own story.[18] He worked with producerPeter Safran, who also produced the DCEU filmsAquaman (2018) andShazam! (2019).[19] In May 2020, Warner Bros. and Snyder announced that his original vision forJustice League would be released on the streaming serviceHBO Max asZack Snyder's Justice League (2021).[11] By the end of 2020, Hamada was planning spin-off DCEU television series for HBO Max,[20] including Gunn'sThe Suicide Squad spin-offPeacemaker (2022–2025).[21] At that point, there were around 25 other live-action and animated DC-based series in addition to the various film projects. Hamada planned to connect all of these using themultiverse,[20] which was introduced inThe Flash (2023).[22]
In April 2022,Discovery, Inc. and Warner Bros.' parent companyWarnerMedia merged to becomeWarner Bros. Discovery (WBD), led by president and CEODavid Zaslav. The new company was expected to restructureDC Entertainment so the film, television, and video game divisions of the company could be aligned. Even before the merger was complete, Zaslav began meeting with candidates to take over DC—including film executive Emma Watts—with the hope of finding an equivalent to Marvel Studios presidentKevin Feige. Despite some recent successes with DC films and series, Zaslav and WBD felt DC lacked a "coherent creative and brand strategy" and were underusing key characters such as Superman.[23] Hamada was still contracted until 2023, and his supporters felt Zaslav was not giving him enough credit for his DC plans and successes.[24] In June, Zaslav announced that DC Films would be separated from Warner Bros. within the WBD structure but would be overseen by Warner Bros. film chairsMichael De Luca andPamela Abdy until a new DC head was appointed.[25]
At the start of August, WBD decided not to release the DCEU filmBatgirl on HBO Max or theatrically, stating that it "simply did not work" and went against Zaslav's mandate to make DC films "big theatrical event films".[26] Soon after, Zaslav said he wanted a new 10-year plan for DC films,[27] and he had enlisted formerWalt Disney Studios and Warner Bros. executiveAlan F. Horn as a consultant to help find a new leader for DC. Hamada was reportedly upset by the cancellation ofBatgirl and tried to leave DC Films, but was convinced by De Luca and Abdy to stay through the release ofBlack Adam in October 2022.[28][29][30] Around that time,Henry Cavill reprised his role asSuperman fromMan of Steel for a cameo appearance inBlack Adam. This was against Hamada's wishes and was approved by De Luca and Abdy when they were approached directly byBlack Adam starDwayne Johnson. Johnson began promoting the idea of aBlack Adam vs. Superman film co-starring Cavill in the future, and Warner Bros. began pursuing a sequel toMan of Steel starring Cavill.[31] At the end of August, producerDan Lin emerged as a potential candidate for taking over DC,[32] but exited talks weeks later,[33] in part due to his concerns with theBatgirl cancellation.[34]Todd Phillips, director of the standalone DC filmJoker (2019), was also considered for the role but remained focused on directing the sequelJoker: Folie à Deux (2024).[32]
FilmmakerJames Gunn and producerPeter Safran were named co-chairs and co-CEOs ofDC Studios in October 2022 and began planning the new DC Universe with a group of writers.
James Gunn and Peter Safran were announced as the co-chairs and co-CEOs of the newly formedDC Studios at the end of October 2022 and were set to take over from Hamada on November 1. It was considered a shocking and unprecedented decision to have a high-profile director like Gunn move into a top executive position at a film studio. Gunn was expected to focus on the creative side of the company while Safran focused on the business and production side, and their deal was reportedly for four years. In addition to their new roles, Gunn and Safran were expected to continue directing and producing projects, respectively, though these would be exclusively for WBD. They would report directly to Zaslav and work closely with De Luca and Abdy.[35] A week after starting their new roles, the pair said they had begun working with a group of writers to develop an eight-to-ten-year plan for the new DC Universe (DCU).[36][37] Zaslav said they had begun work on abible for future DC projects that would be finished soon. He also said the new plan would emulate Marvel's model of having a single, unified approach to each character, specifically highlighting new approaches to Batman and Superman. By mid-November, Gunn had already begun writing the script for a new DC film while Safran focused on "fixing" the DCEU filmAquaman and the Lost Kingdom (2023).[38] At the time of Gunn and Safran's hiring, Reeves andAntonio Campos were working on a series centered onArkham Asylum for the DCU that was originally developed as a spin-off fromThe Batman,[39][40][41] but it was no longer moving forward by July 2024.[42]
In early December, Gunn and Safran were finalizing their plans ahead of a meeting with Zaslav.Patty Jenkins was no longer developing a sequel to her DCEU filmsWonder Woman (2017) andWonder Woman 1984 (2020) after being told by Gunn and Safran that such a film did not fit within their new plans. Various rumors about the plans were circulating, including that the DCU would be a completereboot of the DCEU that moved away from the actors cast by Snyder,[43] that Matt Reeves'sThe Batman films would be integrated with the DCU,[44] and thatAquaman actorJason Momoa would be recast as the characterLobo.[43] These reveals and rumors led to concerns within the industry and among DC fans about the direction Gunn and Safran were taking the franchise, and Gunn put out a statement saying they "were coming into a fractious environment" and there would be an "unavoidable transitional period as we moved into telling a cohesive story across film, TV, animation and gaming".[44][45] A week later, Gunn announced that they had a slate of projects "ready to go" and would provide more details in 2023. He was writing a new Superman film that would not star Cavill, andBen Affleck was confirmed not to be reprising his DCEUBatman role moving forward. Gunn and Safran had discussions with Cavill and Affleck about returning to the DCU to portray a new character and direct a project, respectively;[46] Affleck later said he was not interested in directing a DCU project.[47]
In January 2023, the DCU was reported to be a "broad but not blanket reset" of the DCEU.[48] On January 31, Gunn and Safran unveiled the first projects from the DCU slate.[5] They revealed the writers who had been working with them on the overall story for the DCU:Drew Goddard,Jeremy Slater,The Flash writerChristina Hodson, Christal Henry, and comic book writerTom King.[49] The writers took inspiration from theStar Wars franchise, which has "different times, different places, different things", as well as from the seriesGame of Thrones (2011–2019) and its morally complex characters.[50] The group had planned two "chapters" of story for the eight-to-ten-year plan, with the potential for more chapters after that.[51] The first chapter was titled "Gods and Monsters" and its first five films wereSuperman: Legacy (later retitledSuperman),The Authority,The Brave and the Bold,Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow (later retitledSupergirl), andSwamp Thing.[49][52][53] Its first five television series wereCreature Commandos,Waller,Lanterns,Paradise Lost, andBooster Gold.[49] Any DC projects that did not fit within the shared universe would be labeled "DC Elseworlds". Gunn said the slate combined DC's "diamond characters", such as Superman, Batman, andWonder Woman, with lesser-known characters who they hoped would become just as popular.[5] He chose not to retell theorigin stories of Superman and Batman because "everyone knows them" already, and pushed back against a suggestion that the DCU was focusing on "niche" characters that only interested comic book fans.[54] Gunn reflected in September 2025 that DC Studios would likely not make films featuring lesser-known characters, such asthe Authority, because it was more difficult to attract an audience in theaters for them.[55] DCU television series were initially all intended for HBO Max (briefly renamed to simply "Max"),[5][56] but in June 2024, WBD shifted many of its planned big-budget Max series to beHBO originals beginning in 2025, including upcoming DCU series such asLanterns.[57][58]
Gunn saidThe Flash would "reset" the DCEUcontinuity,[50] making the DCU a "soft reboot" that retains certain cast members and elements of the DCEU while replacing others.[59] Gunn and Safran primarily selected the elements that are carried over based on actors.[60] The pair expected characters to be portrayed by the same actors across mediums, including animation.[50] They saidViola Davis (Amanda Waller) andJohn Cena (Peacemaker) would reprise theirThe Suicide Squad andPeacemaker roles in the DCU, and a "rough memory" of those projects would remain.[50] Specific moments from the DCEU are deemed to becanon to the DCU if they are directly referenced in a DCU project.[61] In addition to Davis and Cena, there was potential for DCEU actors Jason Momoa,Gal Gadot (Wonder Woman),Ezra Miller (the Flash), andZachary Levi (Shazam) to also reprise their roles in the DCU, but decisions on those characters had not been made by January 2023. No actor would be playing multiple characters, so if Momoa were cast asLobo he would not portray Aquaman in the DCU as well;[50] Momoa was later cast as Lobo for the DCU.[62] Gunn added that the then-upcoming DCEU filmBlue Beetle (2023) was disconnected from previous DCEU entries and could connect to the DCU,[50][63] which was reiterated by the film's directorÁngel Manuel Soto, who said it was part of future DCU plans.[64] Gunn and Safran soon clarified thatXolo Maridueña'sJaime Reyes / Blue Beetle would continue in the DCU but the film itself would stand on its own.[60][65] In July 2023, following the commercial failure of the DCEU filmShazam! Fury of the Gods, Levi cast doubt on his return in the DCU.[66] The next month, Gadot said she would be developing a newWonder Woman film with Gunn and Safran,[67] but this was soon reported not to be the case. No decision had been made on if Gadot would be reprising her role in the DCU.[68][69]Variety reported in October 2023 that no actors from Snyder's DCEU films would reprise their roles in the DCU.[70]
Safran said they were being flexible with the DCU's release order, though some projects key to the overall story would need to be released in a specific order. He added that they aimed to release two films and two series per year.[50] Gunn felt studios being "beholden to dates" was an industry-wide issue and wanted to focus on getting the screenplays right for each project before putting them into production, contrasting Marvel Studios' approach to its productions. He said this happened withThe Suicide Squad and that film did not require anyreshoots, unlike other DCEU projects.[5][53] Contrasting the DCU with the MCU, Gunn said the former was set in a "fictional universe" with analternate history and locations such asMetropolis,Gotham City,Themyscira, andAtlantis, while the MCU is set in a version of the real world,[50][71] with many of its heroes residing in New York City.[72] Gunn added that he expected the DCU to be more planned out from the beginning than the MCU due to the group of writers working on the DCU's overall story,[50] the DCU focuses on traditional superheroes withsecret identities,[71] and some DCU projects were announced to be based on specific comic book runs and story arcs compared to the MCU approach of taking different elements from throughoutMarvel Comics history.[73] The day after the slate announcement, several of the comics that Gunn had named as influences on in-development projects appeared on best-selling lists, and some had sold out.[74][75] Another difference Gunn saw between DC and Marvel was the former having more limited runs with unique tones that were separate from "mainstream comics", such asThe Dark Knight Returns (1986),Watchmen (1986–87), andAll-Star Superman (2005–2008). He intended to replicate this feeling by having the creators of each DCU project bring their own sense and vision to their projects, adding that the DCU would not have a singular "company style".[76][72] Gunn added that most characters' deaths in the DCU would remain permanent, unlike severalcomic book deaths that saw characters resurrected, unless there was anarrative device that benefitted the story and character, such as theLazarus pits.[77]
When Gunn and Safran unveiled the first projects from their DCU slate, they said asecond season ofPeacemaker was delayed while Gunn was busy writingSuperman.[49] In February 2023, Gunn confirmed thatPeacemaker was not canceled,[78] clarifying in October that the second season would be set in the DCU continuity,[79] and said in December that the season would be part of the Chapter One slate.[80] In December 2024, Gunn explained that despite revealing some titles as part of Chapter One, namely the filmThe Brave and the Bold and the seriesWaller andBooster Gold, he would notgreenlight a project for production until he was happy with its script and it was "where I want them to be".[81] Shortly after, DC Studios greenlitMike Flanagan's screenplay forClayface, giving it a release date of September 11, 2026.[82][83] Gunn explained that aClayface project had not been planned, but he had been impressed by Flanagan's take on the character after submitting multiple drafts of the script; he decided to greenlight the project and find a way to incorporate it into the larger DCU plans.[83]The Brave and the Bold directorAndy Muschietti said development on that film had been postponed at that time in part because DC Studios wanted to ensure it did not conflict with Reeves'sThe Batman: Part II (2027).[84][85] Gunn added in June 2025 that the quality of theSupergirl andLanterns scripts led to their early greenlights, but said that another greenlit film,Sgt. Rock, had been put on hold by then after they determined that its script was not ready at that point.[53][86]
In February 2025, Gunn and Safran said they were being flexible with the DCU's content output but aimed to release three films—two live-action and one animated—per year alongside two live-action and two animated series.[87] They had an approximate six-year plan that included a crossover project similar to the MCU'sAvengers films,[87][88] and eventually planned to make a newJustice League film,[13] but described each character and project as individual "chapters of an overall story".[87][88] DC Studios was reportedly "fast-tracking" a new Wonder Woman film by July 2025,[89] to be part of the Chapter One slate.[90] The second season ofPeacemaker, which debuted in August 2025,retroactively changes theDCEU Justice League's appearance in the first season to feature theJustice Gang members fromSuperman—Isabela Merced'sKendra Saunders / Hawkgirl,Nathan Fillion'sGuy Gardner / Green Lantern, andEdi Gathegi'sMichael Holt / Mister Terrific—alongside Superman andKara Zor-El / Supergirl.[91] After announcing theSuperman follow-up filmMan of Tomorrow (2027) in September 2025, Gunn said that the film would be directly set up by the events ofPeacemaker season 2.[92] Thatseason's finale, released in October 2025, introduces the organizationCheckmate and the inter-dimensional prisonSalvation, which were two important aspects to Gunn's overarching DCU story that he had planned out before being hired as co-head of DC Studios. Gunn saidLanterns would also touch upon both story points and Salvation was a major aspect ofMan of Tomorrow.[93] Later that month, Gunn said that the characterDarkseid, a member of theNew Gods who seeks theAnti-Life Equation to control the universe, was not planned to serve as theBig Bad of the DCU becausethe DCEU version of the character served a similar role and due to his similarities with the MCU antagonistThanos.[94] Darkseid and the New Gods are featured in the DC Studios animated seriesMister Miracle.[95]
Although it is not an origin story, the film focuses on a young version ofClark Kent / Superman as a reporter interacting with key characters such asLois Lane,[110] as he goes on a journey to reconcile hisKryptonian heritage with his human family inSmallville,Kansas.[97] Safran described Superman in the film as "the embodiment of truth, justice and the American way; he's kindness in a world that thinks of kindness as old fashioned".[49]
James Gunn was already writing a new DC film by the middle of November 2022,[38] and revealed it to be a Superman film the next month.[111] He said it would not star the DCEU's Henry Cavill because the script focused on a younger version of Superman.[111] When Gunn and Peter Safran unveiled their initial DCU slate in January 2023, the film was titledSuperman: Legacy.[5] Gunn said the film would take specific inspiration from the comic bookAll-Star Superman (2005–2008) byGrant Morrison andFrank Quitely,[112] along with other comic books.[113] In March, Gunn confirmed he would direct while Safran was producing with him.[97][89]David Corenswet andRachel Brosnahan were cast as Superman and Lois Lane in June.[114] The title was shortened to justSuperman by the end of February 2024, when filming began in Norway,[52][115] and primarily occurred atTrilith Studios inAtlanta, Georgia.[116] Filmingwrapped on July 30.[117] Gunn and Safran consider the film to be the true beginning of the DCU.[118]Superman premiered on July 7, 2025,[119] and was released on July 11.[5]
Described by Gunn as "a big science fiction epic film" and a "beautiful, star-spanning tale",[128][129] the film contrasts the jaded characterKara Zor-El / Supergirl, who was raised on a chunk of the destroyed planet Krypton and watched everyone around her die, with her cousin Superman who was raised on Earth by loving parents.[49][128]
When Gunn and Safran unveiled their initial DCU slate in January 2023 they included a film adaptation of the comic book miniseriesSupergirl: Woman of Tomorrow (2021–22) by Tom King and Bilquis Evely.[5][49] In November 2023,Ana Nogueira was revealed to be writing the screenplay,[100] andMilly Alcock was cast as Supergirl in January 2024, to debut inSuperman.[130][131]Craig Gillespie entered talks to direct the film in April 2024,[98] and was confirmed as director the next month.[99] Filming took place from mid-January to mid-May 2025 atWarner Bros. Studios Leavesden and London in England, and Scotland.[132][133][134] The title was shortened by June 2025.[53]Supergirl is scheduled to be released on June 26, 2026.[99][53]
Clayface is abody horror story about an up-and-coming actor whose face is disfigured by a gangster. As a last resort, he turns to a scientist who transforms his body into clay.[101][135]
In March 2023, filmmakerMike Flanagan and hisIntrepid Pictures partner Trevor Macy met with Gunn and Safran regarding a film centered on the characterClayface, in which he would not be the villain that he typically is portrayed as in the comics. If the film were to move forward, it was unclear at the time if it would be part of the DCU or an Elseworlds film;Matt Reeves'sThe Batman: Part II (2027) was also expected to feature the character.[136] In December 2024, DC Studios greenlit the film for the DCU with a script written by Flanagan.[137][138] Safran compared the film's tone to the 1986 filmThe Fly.[139] Reeves was confirmed to be producing alongside Lynn Harris of his company 6th & Idaho Productions, but Flanagan was unable to direct due to his commitments tohisThe Exorcist film and aCarrie miniseries.[137][138] In February 2025,Alan Tudyk was confirmed to not be reprising his voice role as Clayface fromCreature Commandos and the standalone animated seriesHarley Quinn (2019–present) because it was not his primary DCU role.[87] At that time,James Watkins was hired to direct the film,[101]Hossein Amini was writing a new draft of the script by May,[102][140] andTom Rhys Harries was cast as Clayface in June.[140] Filming lasted from the end of August to the start of November 2025 inLiverpool, England.[141][142]Clayface is scheduled to be released on September 11, 2026.[82]
Man of Tomorrow follows Superman andLex Luthor "having to work together to a certain degree against a much, much bigger threat" inBrainiac, but Gunn said it would be more complicated than that.[143][144]
In June 2025, Gunn said he had begun writing a follow-up toSuperman that would not be a direct sequel, but would feature Superman in a major role.[145][146] Corenswet and Brosnahan hadoptions for a potential sequel, but followingSuperman's release in July, a direct sequel was not expected to be imminently announced.[89] In August, Zaslav confirmed that Gunn was writing and directing the next film in the "Super-Family",[104] which Gunn described as the next story in the "Superman Saga" and said he hoped to begin production soon.[147] In September, Gunn announced that the film was titledMan of Tomorrow and it was given a release date of July 9, 2027, with Corenswet expected to return alongsideNicholas Hoult as Luthor.[103] Gunn said he had finished writing the script at that time.[148] Filming is scheduled to begin in April 2026, in Atlanta,[144][143] as well as in the United Kingdom.[149]
Gunn describedthe Authority as a team that thinks "the world is completely broken. And the only way to fix it is to take things into their own hands, whether that means killing people, destroying heads of state, changing governments, you know, whatever they want to do to make the world better".[150] Safran compared the morally complex team toJack Nicholson's character Nathan R. Jessep in the filmA Few Good Men (1992).[49]
When Gunn and Safran unveiled their initial DCU slate in January 2023, they included a film based on the superhero team the Authority, which was created in 1999 byWarren Ellis andBryan Hitch for the independent comic book publisherWildStorm. WildStorm was acquired by DC Comics and its characters, including the Authority, were introduced to the DC Comics continuity in 2011. Similarly, Gunn and Safran intended to include WildStorm's characters in their own DC Universe continuity, starting with the Authority.[49] Gunn described the film as a passion project for which he had been working on an outline with the other DC Studios writers.[150] Gunn was originally set to directThe Authority,[151] but other projects had taken priority over it by February 2025, when Gunn said the film was very big and that the script had struggled coming together.[87] Gunn said in July that the film's unannounced writer had moved on to a different DCU film,[152] and he had met with a television creator about the Authority by that September, but was unsure if the film would be redeveloped as a series.[55]
In January 2023, Gunn said the film would have connections to Superman.[5]
The film explores members of the "Bat-Family", including introducingBruce Wayne / Batman's sonDamian Wayne as a version ofRobin. Gunn said the film would be a "strange father and son story" about Batman and Robin.[5][49]
After Gunn and Safran were hired, Zaslav said of their new plan for the DCU, "There's not going to be four Batmans".[38] When Gunn and Safran unveiled their initial DCU slate a month later, they includedThe Brave and the Bold which introduces the DCU version of Batman. Gunn said the film was based on Grant Morrison's 2006 to 2013 run on the comics.[5][49] Ben Affleck was confirmed not to be reprising his DCEU role of Batman,[46] while Matt Reeves's version of Batman was confirmed to continue separately from the DCU's version under the DC Elseworlds label.[49][88]The Flash directorAndy Muschietti was hired to direct the film in June 2023, with his sisterBarbara co-producing alongside Gunn and Safran.[105] Muschietti said that development on the film had been postponed by December 2024 because of his other commitments and to ensure it did not conflict with Reeves'sThe Batman: Part II.[84][85] A writer had been hired for the film by February 2025 and was closely working on the script with Gunn. Muschietti was not actively involved in the project by then, but Safran said he would be shown a script once it was ready.[88]
In December 2022,James Mangold was reported to be interested in working with Gunn and Safran on a DCU project.[45] When the pair unveiled the first projects from their DCU slate in January 2023, they included a new Swamp Thing film.[49] Gunn said it would take specific inspiration fromAlan Moore's 1984–85The Saga of the Swamp Thing comic book run.[154] After the announcement, Mangold posted a picture of Swamp Thing on social media. He was confirmed to be in negotiations to write and direct the film the next day, but was not expected to start work on it until he had completed the filmsIndiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023) andA Complete Unknown (2024).[155] Mangold's involvement was confirmed that April when he had begun writing. He was simultaneously working on aplannedStar Wars film and was unsure which project would move forward first. Gunn describedSwamp Thing as a passion project for Mangold.[106]
Despite being tonally darker than other DCU projects, Gunn and Safran intend forSwamp Thing to be interconnected with the rest of the DCU.[5][49]
In June 2025, Gunn revealed that a new film featuringWonder Woman, separate from the television seriesParadise Lost, was being written and slowly progressing.[156] Ana Nogueira was revealed to be writing the script the following month,[90][157] when DC Studios was reportedly "fast-tracking" the film.[89]
In March 2024, a film centered on theTeen Titans team was revealed to be in development, with Ana Nogueira writing the screenplay.[107] Gunn and Safran confirmed that Nogueira had been working on the script by February 2025 and that it was in the "very early stages",[87][158][159] but the film was de-prioritized when Nogueira began working on the Wonder Woman film instead.[159][157]
In September 2024, a team-up film featuring the villainsBane andDeathstroke was revealed to be in development, withMatthew Orton writing the screenplay.[108] Orton was confirmed to be writing a script for a DC Studios film in February 2025, though Gunn said its story was not specifically focused on those characters but was similar to that.[87] Filming is expected to take place atWarner Bros. Studios Leavesden, England, in 2025.[160]
By late November 2024,Justin Kuritzkes had written the script for a film featuring the character Sgt. Rock.Luca Guadagnino andDaniel Craig were in negotiations to direct and star in the title role, respectively, after working together with Kuritzkes on the filmQueer (2024). Though there was potential for the project to fall apart if the deals with Guadagnino and Craig did not go through, DC Studios was said to be "bullish" on Kuritzkes's script and it was expected to be Guadagnino's next film ahead of his planned adaptation of the novelAmerican Psycho (1991).[109][162] Craig had not been attached to the role and passed on it by February 2025, reportedly due to scheduling conflicts and his dissatisfaction with the reception toQueer.[163][96]Colin Farrell entered negotiations to star in March,[164] but production was halted at the end of April, reportedly due tolocation shooting issues, but could potentially be reassessed later that year for filming in mid-2026.[161][165] Gunn stated in June that the film was put on hold because it "wasn't exactly where I wanted it to be creatively" and he felt it needed to "change a little bit" first. He confirmed that it was still moving forward,[145] and said Guadagnino was no longer involved the following month.[151]
Gunn discussed making an animated series for HBO Max after the success ofPeacemaker. He wrote the seven-episode series without a deal, based on theCreature Commandos team of monsters. After he was hired to lead DC Studios, Gunn greenlit the project.[173][175] When Gunn and Safran unveiled their initial DCU slate in January 2023, the first project wasCreature Commandos.[49][173]Warner Bros. Animation co-produced the series,[176] withDean Lorey as showrunner andYves "Balak" Bigerel assupervising director.[166][177] The main cast was confirmed in April,[126][178] includingFrank Grillo as Rick Flag Sr. andIndira Varma as the Bride, who Gunn said was the main protagonist.[126][178][179] Voice recording began by May 2023 and was completed by that August.[180][181] The first season ofCreature Commandos was released from December 5, 2024, to January 9, 2025,[182] as an "aperitif" for the DCU beforeSuperman.[49][173] The series was renewed for a second season in December 2024.[171] Production for the second season had begun by June 2025.[95]
Chris Smith / Peacenaker enters analternate universe where he leads an idyllic life, but discovers he must confront his traumatic past.[184]
HBO Max announced a second season ofPeacemaker in February 2022, with Gunn set to write and direct all eight episodes.[185][167] In February 2023, Gunn said work on the season would continue afterWaller had been made,[78] later saying it was his next project afterSuperman.[186][187] Gunn was writing the season by that October,[188] when he confirmed that it would take place in the DCU continuity.[79] In March 2024, Gunn revealed thatWaller had been delayed and the second season ofPeacemaker would be produced first. Filming was set to begin later in 2024, simultaneously withSuperman. This meant Gunn would no longer be able to direct all of the episodes.[189] Filming began on April 13 with a "pre-shoot",[190] ahead ofprincipal photography, which began in June and concluded in late November 2024.[191][192][193] The season was released from August 21 to October 9, 2025.[184]
The season is set one month after the events ofSuperman,[194] as well as after the first season ofCreature Commandos.[195] Reprising their roles from earlier DCU media are Frank Grillo as Rick Flag Sr.,[196]Isabela Merced asKendra Saunders / Hawkgirl, Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner, Sean Gunn as Maxwell Lord,[197] and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor. Gunn said Luthor's cameo, in which Flag Sr. offers Luthor "an opportunity for redemption", was an important moment for the entire DCU.[198] TheDCEU Justice League's appearance in the first season isretroactively changed to feature Hawkgirl, Guy Gardner, and a silhouette of their fellow Justice Gang memberMichael Holt / Mister Terrific (Edi Gathegi), alongside Superman and Supergirl.[91] Joel Kinnaman reprises his role as Rick Flag Jr. from the DCEU in a flashback and in an alternate universe.[199] Gunn said the season would be a direct narrative follow-up to the events ofSuperman containing connections to the larger storyline of the DCU,[200][201] and described the season as a direct prequel to theSuperman follow-upMan of Tomorrow.[92]
Hal Jordan andJohn Stewart, two Green Lanterns (intergalactic heroes who wearrings that give them extraordinary powers), investigate a mystery on Earth.[49]
Gunn confirmed in December 2022 that the Green Lantern characters would be an important part of the new DCU.[202] When he and Safran unveiled their initial DCU slate a month later, they includedLanterns, a new iteration of a long-in-development Green Lantern series. Safran said the series would be an Earth-baseddetective story and "a huge HBO-quality event" in the style of the seriesTrue Detective (2014–present).[49] Chris Mundy, Tom King, andDamon Lindelof wrote the pilot script and series bible forLanterns by the end of May 2024.[203] Mundy serves as showrunner for the eight-episode series, which will be released onHBO.[58] In October 2024,Kyle Chandler andAaron Pierre were cast to respectively portray Hal Jordan and John Stewart,[204][205] whileJames Hawes was hired to direct the first two episodes and executive produce.[206] Filming lasted from mid-February to late July 2025 in Los Angeles.[207][208][209]Lanterns is expected to debut in mid-2026.[168]
Safran said the mystery that Jordan and Stewart investigate in the series leads into the main storyline for the DCU,[49] with Salvation and Checkmate being featured in the series.[93] Nathan Fillion reprises his role as the Green Lantern Guy Gardner from previous DCU media.[210]
Mike Carter / Booster Gold, a washed-up athlete from the 25th century, travels back in time to the 21st and uses futuristic technology to pose as a superhero.[49]
When Gunn and Safran unveiled their initial DCU slate in January 2023, they includedBooster Gold, an "outright comedy" series set in the DCU.[49] A showrunner had expressed interest in taking on the project but had ultimately passed on it by February 2025.[87][88] The series was reported to be "progressing" at HBO Max in July 2025 withDavid Jenkins hired to write the pilot and serve as showrunner if the series moved forward;[169] Jenkins took over the series fromDanny McBride.[211]
Waller continues the story of Amanda Waller and Team Peacemaker.[49][212]
In May 2022, aPeacemaker spin-off series was revealed to be in development featuring Amanda Waller, with Christal Henry writing and serving as executive producer alongside Gunn and Safran.[212] When Gunn and Safran unveiled their initial DCU slate in January 2023, the second project wasWaller, which Gunn said would be a continuation ofPeacemaker because that series' second season was delayed while Gunn focused on the rest of the DCU slate. Henry was set as co-showrunner ofWaller alongsideJeremy Carver, and Viola Davis was confirmed to be reprising her role as Waller fromPeacemaker and the DCEU.[49] The series was scheduled to be released in 2024,[178] as an "aperitif" for the DCU beforeSuperman,[49] but production was delayed by the2023 Hollywood labor disputes and it was set to be released after the second season ofPeacemaker.[189] In February 2025, Gunn said the series had subsequently been reconceived to follow that season and had struggled to perfect the script.[87]
AdditionalPeacemaker cast members reprise their roles in the series,[49] including Steve Agee as John Economos.[213]
This series is apolitical drama about the scheming and power struggles on the all-female island ofThemyscira before the birth of Wonder Woman.[49]
In December 2022, Patty Jenkins was revealed to no longer be developing a sequel toWonder Woman andWonder Woman 1984 after being told by Gunn and Safran that such a film did not fit within their new plans.[43] When Gunn and Safran unveiled their initial DCU slate a month later, they includedParadise Lost, which they compared toGame of Thrones. The title is similar to "Paradise Island Lost", a 2001 comic book story arc byPhil Jimenez andGeorge Pérez about a civil war on Themyscira.[49]
In June 2024, an animated series focused onJaime Reyes / Blue Beetle was revealed to be in development with Warner Bros. Animation for the DCU. It was expected to build off the DCEU filmBlue Beetle but tell its own story, and had the potential to lead to that film's starXolo Maridueña starring in a DCU film if successful. Miguel Puga had been working on the series since early 2024 and was expected to serve as showrunner and director. Cristian Martinez was set as writer, with the film's director Ángel Manuel Soto, writer Gareth Dunnet-Alcocer, and producer John Rickard all serving as executive producers. Contracts with the main cast were said to be "in flux" but DC Studios had received positive responses when asking the film's cast about returning to reprise their roles.[170] Maridueña confirmed in July that he would reprise his role as Blue Beetle in the series,[214] and said in February 2025 that the series was intended to debut in 2026.[215]
In June 2025, DC Studios and Warner Bros. Animation greenlit anadult animated series adaptation of the 2017–18Mister Miracle comic book miniseries written byTom King and illustrated by Mitch Gerads. King was attached asshowrunner and an executive producer,[95] after previously working ona plannedNew Gods film for the DCEU that was shelved in 2021,[216] while Gerads was working on the animation.[217] At the time of the series's announcement, the studios had not yet determined a network for it to be released on.[95] The first episode was written by that October.[94]
In July 2025, Gunn was reported to be considering spin-off television series based on supporting characters fromSuperman, such asSkyler Gisondo's Jimmy Olsen.[13] That series was announced in November for HBO Max, withDan Perrault and Tony Yacenda attached as the writers, executive producers, and showrunners, along with Gisondo reprising his role.[172][218] The series was reportedly titledDC Crime,[218] but Gunn debunked this shortly after.[219]
In July 2025, Gunn was reported to be considering spin-off television series based on supporting characters fromSuperman, such asEdi Gathegi'sMichael Holt / Mister Terrific.[13] In September 2025, Gunn said that he had recently met with the writer and director of "a forthcoming secret DCU project", which he described as a show, to discuss visual effects budgets.[220]
A series of four animated short films focused on the characterKrypto the Superdog was announced in February 2025.[221] The first short debuted in August 2025, as part ofSuperman's release on digital platforms, with the remaining shorts releasing online individually through 2026.[222] Though the characters' designs are largely inspired by their DCU appearances, Gunn stated that the shorts are not canon to the DCU.[223]
AtNew York Comic Con in October 2024, a tie-in comic to promote thesecond season ofPeacemaker was announced.[224][225] However,James Gunn later clarified that it and other tie-in comics would not be canon.[226] The comic featured two stories set between thefirst and second seasons in whichAdrian Chase believesPeacemaker to have been kidnapped and tries to find him, while Peacemaker himself attempts to go on vacation with Eagly but is hunted down.[227]
A tie-in comic forSuperman was published in May 2025, as part of a cross-promotion by DC Comics and dog biscuits companyMilk-Bone.[228] The comic was also made available atSan Diego Comic Con that July,[229] and remained available for free on DC's website.[230] The comic features Superman and Krypto protecting dogs in a city park while helping evacuateS.T.A.R. Labs in an incident. The comic is the first media to introduce the superpowers of the DCU version of Superman, including ones that theprevious incarnation of the character did not use often.[231]
After announcing the initial DCU projects, Gunn confirmed plans to include new video games in the DCU's shared storyline and said these games would be used to tell new stories that could bridge the gap between films and series. They were also being developed so that audiences who do not play video games would not miss any overall story elements. He expected the games to take around four years to make.[232]Warner Bros. Games was developing video games for the DCU by January 2024.[233]
The DC Universe (DCU) is the successor to and asoft reboot of theDC Extended Universe (DCEU). The DCEU filmThe Flash (2023) resets that franchise'scontinuity, and the DCU largely discards the priorcanon while accommodating the inclusion of certain characters from the outgoing franchise.[50] Despite this, James Gunn said that a "rough memory" of events depicted in his DCEU projectsThe Suicide Squad (2021) and thefirst season of its spin-off television seriesPeacemaker (2022) would remain in the DCU,[50] with specific moments from the DCEU deemed to be canon to the DCU if they are directly referenced in a DCU project.[61]The Suicide Squad is notretroactively incorporated into the DCU, though its overall events are acknowledged in the first season of the animated seriesCreature Commandos (2024–25) and thesecond season ofPeacemaker (2025), such as the death of Rick Flag Sr.'s sonRick Flag Jr. at the hands of Peacemaker during "Project Starfish" atCorto Maltese.[61][199] The latter also addresses Flag Jr.'s relationship with Dr.June Moone / Enchantress from the DCEU filmSuicide Squad (2016).[234]
The first DCU film,Superman (2025), establishes thatKal-El / Clark Kent emerged as Superman three years before the film's events, after arriving on Earth from the planetKrypton three decades earlier.[235]Metahumans emerged approximately 300 years before the film's events, with numerous superheroes being active during this period.[236][235]Superman occurs after the events ofCreature Commandos's first season, whilePeacemaker season 2 is set a month afterSuperman.[120][194] The majority ofPeacemaker's first season is canon to the DCU, except for thecameo appearance of theDCEU Justice League, because that team had yet to be formed in the new continuity.[237][238] That team is replaced by theJustice Gang members fromSuperman—Kendra Saunders / Hawkgirl,Guy Gardner / Green Lantern, andMichael Holt / Mister Terrific—alongside Superman andKara Zor-El / Supergirl,[91] with that scene and the rest of the first season taking place before the events ofSuperman.[239]Peacemaker season 2 continues from that film's events,[200] and introduces the concept of themultiverse within the DCU through the "Quantum Unfolding Chamber"pocket universe technology that Lex Luthor uses inSuperman to accessalternate dimensions; at least 100 realities exist within the DCU.[240]Peacemaker season 2 takes place between the main DCU dimension andEarth-X, an alternate reality where the United States is ruled byNazis and features alternate versions of Peacemaker and other characters.[241] That season also introduces the inter-dimensional prisonSalvation,[93] and directly sets up theSuperman follow-up filmMan of Tomorrow (2027).[92]
This section includes characters who will appear or have appeared in multiple DCU projects.
An empty grey cell indicates the character was not in the film or television series, or that the character's official presence has not yet been confirmed.
C indicates a cameo role.
R indicates a recurring role in the film or television series.
"DC Elseworlds" redirects here. For the comic book imprint, seeElseworlds. For the television crossover event, seeElseworlds (Arrowverse).
When announcing the first projects for the DCU in January 2023, Gunn said any project that did not fit into the DCU's shared universe would be labeled as "DC Elseworlds" moving forward. This is the same as how DC Comics uses theElseworlds imprint to mark comic books that are separate from its main continuity.[254] Safran said there was a high bar that non-DCU projects would have to meet to be greenlit.[5]
The following projects have been confirmed as part of the "DC Elseworlds" label:
Director Matt Reeves's Batman shared universe (referred to by Reeves and his production partner Dylan Clark as the "Batman Epic Crime Saga") starringRobert Pattinson as Batman,[257] including the filmThe Batman (2022), its sequelThe Batman: Part II (2027),[254][255] and an in-development thirdThe Batman film,[258] as well as the spin-off seriesThe Penguin (2024);[254][255] Gunn and Safran briefly considered integrating Pattinson's Batman into the DCU, but Reeves opted to keep his plans separate from that franchise.[53][44]
A plannedBlack-led Superman film written byTa-Nehisi Coates and produced byJ. J. Abrams set during thecivil rights era;[254][259][13] Zaslav initially shelved the project around April 2022, but Gunn and Safran reportedly still had the potential to move forward with it,[13] although, active development had stalled by early 2023.[260] Gunn said the film was still in development in January 2024.[261]
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