DC Studio heads James Gunn and Peter Safran are gearing up to reinvent the onscreen world of Superman, Wonder Woman, and co with the DCU, the new and improved DCEU. (Though, given that the franchise has not actually kicked off yet, the jury may still be out on that last part).
It's bound to be a little bit of a confusing launch, with Gunn and Safran introducing a fresh DC cinematic universe, complete with different characters, previously untold stories, and a whole new timeline. That said, there will be some familiar faces in the mix...
Titled Gods and Monsters, the first chapter in the DCU is set to consist of five movies and five TV shows. That initial slate was first confirmed in January 2022 ahead of its debut later this year, with the animated Creature Commandos on Max arriving this December.
To prove it's all change, there have been some major decisions made already: Henry Cavill is out as Superman, with David Corenswet replacing him as the Man of Steel. There's a new Batman flick on the way, too – and chances are, it won't be Robert Pattinson in the cape and cowl. And that really is just the start...
To help you get the full picture of MCU's latest rival, here's everything you need to know about DCU Chapter One: Gods and Monsters.
DCU movies
Superman
Superman will mark the first movie in the new slate and will be released globally on July 11, 2025. Written and directed by James Gunn, it will focus on a younger Superman entering a world full of heroes.
"This is really the start of the DCU," Safran said in a statement, per Deadline. "It’s not an origins story, it focuses on Superman's balancing his Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing. He's the embodiment of truth, justice and the American way, he's kindness in a world that thinks of kindness as old fashioned."
David Corenswet will play Kal-El, while Rachel Brosnahan is getting her journalist cap on as Lois Lane. Nathan Fillion will play Guy Gardner/Green Lantern, Edi Gathegi is Mister Terrific, Isabel Merced will portray Hawkgirl, and Anthony Carrigan is Metamorpho. If we didn't know any better, we'd say Gunn is putting together a mini-Justice League already. House of the Dragon's Milly Alcock is also likely to appear as Superman's cousin Kara, AKA Supergirl. Speaking of...
Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow
We'll be getting a new Supergirl project as well. This time around it's a movie described by DC as a "science fiction adventure". With that title, it's like to be based on Tom King's comic book series of the same name, as it introduces a "Supergirl viewers are not used to seeing". Superman's titular cuz, Kara Zor-El, will be played by Milly Alcock.
"We see the difference between Superman, who was sent to Earth and raised by loving parents from the time he's an infant," Gunn told Variety. "Versus Supergirl, who was raised on a rock chip off of Krypton, and watched everyone around her die and be killed in terrible ways for the first 14 years of her life."
Supergirl was played by Melissa Benoist as part of The CW's Arrowverse franchise, before the show was canceled back in November 2021. A DCEU version, played by Sasha Calle, recently graced our screens in The Flash.
The Brave and the Bold
DC are also introducing its live-action Batman and Robin in a new movie called The Brave and the Bold, directed by The Flash's Andy Muschietti. This is based on Grant Morrison's comic series about father and son.
"Assassin, murderer who Batman takes on, who is Batman’s actual son that he doesn’t know exists for the first 8-10 years of his life… it's a strange father and son story about the two of them and based on Grant Morrison’s run of the Batman," Gunn explained to Deadline about the movie.
Swamp Thing
Information on the new Swamp Thing movie is still limited, but it will focus on the origins of the mysterious DC character. From what's been revealed so far about this one, it's expected it will be tonally darker than the other DC projects. Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny director James Mangold is reportedly circling the project.
The Authority
Another new upcoming movie from DC Studios is The Authority, which will see WildStorm characters joining the DCU. We don't know what form the group will take, but we do know it'll have links to Superman and see The Authority taking "matters into their own hands to do what they believe is right", per the official synopsis.
"Whether that means killing people, destroying heads of state, changing governments, you know, whatever they want to do to make the world better," Gunn previously explained, while Safran likened the morally complex team to Jack Nicholson's character in A Few Good Men.
DCU TV shows
Paradise Lost
Paradise Lost is a new Wonder Woman TV prequel series set in Themyscira. This is the home of the Amazons and the birthplace of Wonder Woman.
"It's going to be a Games of Thrones-ish story about Themyscira, the home of the Amazons and the birthplace of Wonder Woman. This drama is really about the political intrigue behind the society of all women. How did that come about?" Safran said in a statement.
"What's the beautiful truths and the ugly truths behind all of that and what’s the scheming like between all the power players in that society?" Gunn added.
Booster Gold
Booster Gold is a series based on, you guessed it, time travelling 'hero' Booster Gold. Per the synopsis, he will use "basic technology from the future to pretend to be a superhero in present day".
In the comics, Booster Gold is Michael Jon Carter, a football star from the 25th Century. He travels back in time and, equipped with his robot Skeets, is able to use his knowledge of events and high-end technology to gain the upper hand.
Creature Commandos
Creature Commandos is a new seven-episode animated series about Amanda Waller creating a black ops team of monstrous prisoners. The show will be the first project of the new DCU, premiering on Max in December 2024.
The cast has since been revealed by Collider: Frank Grillo is Rick Flag Sr, Maria Bakalova will voice Princess Ilana, David Harbour is Eric Frankenstein, Indira Varma is the Bride of Frankenstein, Alan Tudyk is Doctor Phosphorus, Steve Agee as John Economos, and Zoe Chao will voice team scientist and mermaid Dr. Nina Mazursky. They will be joined by Sean Gunn pulling double duty as Weasel and G.I. Robot.
The Witcher's Anya Chalotra will play villain Circe, while Viola Davis is expected to reprise her role as Suicide Squad boss Amanda Waller.
Waller
Waller has been confirmed as a new DC spin-off show, featuring Davis' Amanda Waller in the lead role. The series will pick up in the aftermath of Peacemaker season 1, with Gunn currently writing part of Peacemaker season 2.
"I’m working on Superman, so we can't do Peacemaker season 2 [yet]. We’re working on Waller in between," Gunn confirmed (H/T Deadline), announcing that all of the main Peacemaker cast will star in the series. Watchmen's Christal Henry and Doom Patrol's Jeremy Carver are writing the show.
Lanterns
Described as a "enormous TV event series", Lanterns will follow intergalactic cops John Stewart and Hal Jordan. It will be a mystery show described as a superhero take on True Detective. According to the DC Studios bosses, this will also "play a really big role leading us into the main story that we’re telling across our film and television."
Lanterns has recently been ordered to series on HBO with True Detective: Night Country writer Chris Mundy serving as showrunner.
Damon Lindelof of Lost and HBO's Watchmen fame will be writing on the series alongside award-winning comic writer Tom King.
If you need to catch up, here's how to watch the DC movies in order. Then fly on over to the heaving list of new superhero movies coming your way.
