The DC Universe (DCU) is beginning to come together, but things haven’t gone quite as expected since James Gunn first announced its initial projects over three years ago. At the end of 2022, Gunn and his co-CEO, Peter Safran, took charge of the newly created DC Studios, and soon after, Gunn revealed the first slate of projects planned for the DCU.
The initial announcement featured 10 new movies and TV shows designed to build the DC Universe over the coming years, collectively known as Chapter One: Gods and Monsters. Although James Gunn has managed to stay on track with some of the most anticipated projects, the planned lineup now looks somewhat different after three years.
James Gunn Introduced The DCU’s Chapter 1 In 2023
In late January 2023, James Gunn announced his plans for the new DC Universe on social media. He confirmed which projects from the existing DCEU would still be released and explained that some stories, like The Batman: Part II, wouldn’t be part of the main DCU timeline but would exist as separate stories. Gunn then revealed the first 10 projects that will launch this new shared universe.
| James Gunn’s Initial Chapter One Announcement Slate | ||
|---|---|---|
| Project | Movie/TV | Status |
| Creature Commandos | TV | Season 1 released December 2024. Season 2 is now in production |
| Waller | TV | In development |
| Superman: Legacy | Movie | Title changed to Superman. Released July 11, 2025 as planned |
| Lanterns | TV | Releasing Summer 2026 |
| The Authority | Movie | Uncertain |
| Paradise Lost | TV | Uncertain |
| The Brave and the Bold | Movie | 2028 release window |
| Booster Gold | TV | In development |
| Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow | Movie | Title changed to Supergirl. Release Date: July 26, 2026 |
| Swamp Thing | Movie | In development |
James Gunn also revealed that the new DC Universe will feel more connected, with the same actors playing characters across movies, TV shows, live-action projects, and even video games. Since then, DC Studios has been very busy, adding new projects and navigating some challenges and delays.
Which James Gunn DCU Projects Have Come Out So Far
Image via Max
The DC Universe officially began with the first season of Creature Commandos, followed a few months later by Superman (originally planned as Superman: Legacy), which premiered on the date announced in 2023. Shortly after that, the second season of Peacemaker was also released.
Looking ahead at what DC has planned, I’m really excited about Lanterns, which is coming to HBO in late summer 2026. Supergirl – they’re actually changing the title, so it’s just Supergirl now – is slated for a theatrical release on June 26th. Beyond that, a lot of other projects are still in the very early stages, or we haven’t heard much about them recently, so their future is a bit up in the air.
Why Some DCU Projects Have Been Stuck In Limbo
Creating movies is a lengthy process, often taking years to complete and prepare for release. When those films are part of a bigger, interconnected story, it makes the whole undertaking even more difficult, and contributes to why projects often face delays.
James Gunn has been clear about how he’s building the DC Universe: he insists on having a fully polished script before starting any movie or show. Unlike some other studios that might begin filming with a script still in progress, Gunn prioritizes a solid foundation for each project.
Projects such as The Brave and the Bold have faced delays because scripts are repeatedly revised and improved, but this extra effort should ultimately lead to higher-quality films. This is also why a movie like Clayface, penned by Mike Flanagan, moved ahead of other planned projects – its story already met James Gunn’s expectations.
It’s understandable that fans are excited and want to see all their favorite DC characters in the DCU right away. While it’s taking time, things are starting to move faster with several projects planned for release in 2026 and beyond. Hopefully, these upcoming releases will keep fans happy until the characters they’re most looking forward to finally appear.
We Still Don’t Know What The DCU Will Look Like
What the DC Universe will become is still an open question. While shows like Creature Commandos and Peacemaker showcase James Gunn’s unique creative vision, and hint at the broader DCU he’s building, so far only projects he’s directly involved in – writing or directing – have actually been released.
Starting in 2026, three new DC projects – Supergirl, Clayface, and Lanterns – will expand the DCU with stories from different writers and directors. These projects will give fans a better sense of the broader DCU and how various creative styles will complement James Gunn’s vision.
The DC Universe is currently in a really promising phase. There are many new projects underway, and the ones already announced are still moving forward, which gives fans a lot to anticipate. As each new film and series comes out, we’ll start to get a clearer picture of what this shared universe will become, and see DC’s heroes and villains truly come to life within the expanding DCU.
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2026-02-09 19:32