James Gunn’s DCU Updates for Superman & More

The DC Universe is ever-shifting, especially this year. James Gunn and Peter Safran are crafting an all-new on-screen experience for DC fans. This universe will be tied together yet each project will also be able to function as its own standalone story. It’s a tall order to fill but the first official DCU entry, Superman, is gearing up to lift DC back into the spotlight.

Back at the start of 2023, Gunn and Safran made their initial announcement about the new plan for DC media. This past week, the two studio execs gave new insight into how that lineup is shifting and improving. Here’s a breakdown of what DC fans can expect to hit their screens, both big and small, in the years to come.

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Superman Updates

Superman is now in post-production. That means it’s even closer to its theatrical release on July 11, 2025. The teaser trailer from December shows Kal-El facing down Lex Luthor, falling in love with Lois Lane, and encountering fellow super-powered individuals like Hawkgirl, Mister Terrific, and even a Green Lantern.

David Corenswet will play Superman/Clark Kent, Rachel Brosnahan is Lois Lane, Nicholas Hoult is Lex Luthor, and Milly Alcock will make an appearance as Supergirl. Rounding out the cast of heroes will be Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner, Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl, and Edi Gathegi as Mister Terrific.

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DCU Movie Lineup Changes

One of the most exciting movie updates is a live-action Clayface film, with a script from Mike Flanagan, that Gunn said will be a story centered on body horror — fitting for the gruesome shapeshifting Gotham rogue. However, in that same horror realm, there is a pause on the live-action Swamp Thing film.

Elsewhere in Gotham City, the Elseworlds Batman played by Robert Pattinson and directed by Matt Reeves remains in development. A script for the sequel to The Batman has been finalized, though details are scarce. Gunn also clarified it’s unlikely that Pattinson would play a main continuity version of Batman. With respect to the other major Batman film project, Batman: The Brave and the Bold, there’s still no further development as far as a final script, casting, or writer/director announcement.

Unfortunately, development for The Authority film is also on pause, but production is halfway done for Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow. Based on Tom King and Bilquis Evely’s galaxy-spanning book, Supergirl is expected for summer 2026. Lastly, Gunn and Safran confirmed that Ana Nogueira is developing a script for a potential for live-action Teen Titans movie.

DCU Animated Movies

Switching from still frames to storyboards, the Bat-Family will get an animated feature. Pre-production has started on Dynamic Duo, which will focus on two of Batman’s Robins: Dick Grayson (who later becomes Nightwing) and Jason Todd (who later becomes Red Hood).

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DCU TV Lineup Changes

New DCU Animated Series

Current DC animated TV series have been drawn for a more mature demographic. In Harley Quinn, the namesake unhinged sorta-antihero drums up some very R-rated misadventures with her super-villain girlfriend Poison Ivy. Likewise, Creature Commandos started off DCU animation with a lot of big bangs and kept it coming for five more episodes. But many of the new animated series announcements will be aimed at younger audiences.

My Adventures with Green Lantern, based on title treatment, appears to be going in the same vein as My Adventures with Superman. However, this animated series will focus on a high-school version of Jessica Cruz. Whether the series will portray Jessica’s dark manner of becoming a Green Lantern remains to be seen. Next up, there’s also Starfire!, in which Koriand’r, a princess of the planet Tamaran, escapes her homeworld to explore the stars. Super Powers will focus on a group of super-powered high schoolers (Lightning, Flash, Aquagirl, Green Lantern, Plastic Man, and Terra) with Martian Manhunter as their principal. Finally, a Blue Beetle animated series is also in development.

DCU Live-Action Series Updates

As far as live-action TV series updates go, Peacemaker and Green Lantern fans have some good news. Season 2 of Peacemaker is in post-production, likely to be released August 2025, while Lanterns, a Green Lantern TV series expected in 2026, has officially begun production. Lanterns will feature Hal Jordan (played by Kyle Chandler) and John Stewart (played by Aaron Pierre).

Speaking of Peacemaker, development is at a standstill for Waller, the Amanda Waller spinoff series. Similarly, no major progress has been made on the Wonder Woman prequel series, Paradise Lost.

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Which updates have piqued your interest and what DCU releases are you most excited for?

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