After 3 Years, James Gunn’s DCU is Already Facing a Major Crisis, and 6 Movies Prove it

James Gunn and Peter Safran were appointed to lead DC Studios in November 2022, and for over a year, fans speculated about the future of iconic comic book characters. Gunn revealed the plan on January 31, 2023, with a six-minute video outlining ten upcoming projects.

So, I just watched James Gunn lay out his vision for the DC Universe, and it’s ambitious, to say the least! He’s thinking eight to ten years ahead, and we got a good look at what’s coming. We already knew about projects like Superman (which will actually be titled Superman: Legacy), Waller, and Lanterns, though he mentioned a new creative team will be taking over Lanterns. But the big reveals were the animated series Creature Commandos, a Booster Gold show, and something he called The Authority – clearly a passion project for him. It feels like he’s really trying to build something special, and I’m cautiously optimistic about where this is all headed.

Three years have passed, and some unforeseen issues – including the writers’ and actors’ strikes – and new projects, such as Clayface, have altered DC Studios’ plans. Despite a steady stream of DC films and series, many fans are still wondering about the status of the projects originally announced.

Even though fans haven’t received many updates on these projects lately, that doesn’t mean work isn’t still progressing. James Gunn is known for being communicative with fans, but he understandably won’t share every detail of the development process. So, while we might be uncertain about what’s happening, DC Studios likely has a clear plan in place.

Waller Was Still In The Works In Late 2025

Originally announced in May 2022 as a continuation of the story from Peacemaker, the Waller series was hinted at in the first season’s finale, which showed the head of A.R.G.U.S. having her secrets exposed. Amanda Waller also appeared in Creature Commandos, but she wasn’t involved in Season 2 of Peacemaker or the Superman series, with Rick Flag Sr. taking her place.

During the premiere of Peacemaker Season 2, People magazine questioned James Gunn about the progress of the Waller series. He didn’t seem very confident, simply stating, “We’re working on it, so we’ll see what happens.” However, Gunn expressed more enthusiasm about seeing Viola Davis reprise her role as Waller in the DC Universe, saying he was eager to see her “put on their Waller pants again.”

The Authority Is Hard To Figure Out

James Gunn described his planned series, The Authority, as something he was very excited about, but he’s now facing challenges. He explained in February 2025 that adapting the Wildstorm characters is proving tricky, due to changes happening at DC Studios and the success of the show The Boys, which makes it harder for The Authority to feel unique. He stated that the project is currently paused.

James Gunn last discussed The Authority in September 2025 when Deadline inquired about its progress. He responded with a simple “Who knows?” and then explained that the movies would prioritize established, well-known characters, which didn’t leave people feeling optimistic.

Rumors Of Paradise Lost’s Demise Are Greatly Exaggerated

James Gunn revealed several projects in a recent video, and one that particularly caught people’s attention was Paradise Lost, a series taking place on Themyscira before Wonder Woman was born. While Gunn stated in November 2025 that the show was actively being developed, rumors surfaced in February 2026 suggesting it had been canceled.

A few days later, James Gunn was asked on Threads about rumors that a Paradise Lost project was in the works. He quickly denied them, stating, “Definitely not.” This likely pleased many Wonder Woman fans.

Booster Gold Is Still Moving Ahead

Booster Gold, a hero from the future with a desire for recognition, has faced some challenges with getting his TV show made, but he’s persevered, mirroring his comic book counterpart. Following James Gunn’s initial announcement of the series, rumors circulated online – though never officially confirmed – that Danny McBride was involved as a writer.

In July 2025, news came out that David Jenkins, the creator of Our Flag Means Death, was now writing the pilot episode for Booster Gold. This meant any previous scripts or development work on the series were discarded. After that, there was no news about Booster Gold until a rumor surfaced in March 2026.

News traveled fast online that Jenkins had removed all his social media posts related to Booster Gold. Adding to the speculation, people noticed he’d unfollowed James Gunn on Instagram. This led many to believe Jenkins was no longer involved with the Booster Gold project, but the rumor turned out to be false.

Jenkins confirmed the show is still in development. He also continues to follow James Gunn on both Instagram and Threads.

Swamp Thing All Depends On One Man

James Gunn has consistently stated that a Swamp Thing movie will only happen if James Mangold chooses to make it. However, Mangold first needed to complete his Indiana Jones film, and then he began work on his Bob Dylan biopic, A Complete Unknown.

James Mangold agreed to direct a Star Wars film, and it was unclear whether he’d start that before or after Swamp Thing. He then made a deal with Paramount, which initially appeared to halt plans for Swamp Thing. However, in October 2025, James Gunn stated that Mangold was still interested in the project, though it wasn’t confirmed.

Brave and the Bold Is The Most Intriguing Project

It wasn’t surprising when James Gunn revealed plans for a Batman movie, but people are starting to wonder why there haven’t been any updates. Gunn likely wants to avoid overshadowing Matt Reeves’ The Batman Part II, which is about to begin filming. However, the level of secrecy surrounding Brave and the Bold is unusual.

James Gunn often mentioned a writer was developing the script, but kept their identity a secret. Andy Muschietti was confirmed as the director in June 2023, but later, in December 2024, he announced that production on the film was being delayed so he could focus on a different project.

Recently, reports surfaced that Christina Hodson, who wrote the screenplays for Birds of Prey and The Flash, was working on the script. This news frustrated some fans who weren’t happy with one or both of those films. When asked about it on Threads, James Gunn didn’t confirm or deny the report, but strongly defended Hodson’s talent, stating that anyone criticizing her screenwriting likely hasn’t actually read her work.

Since James Gunn first mentioned Brave and the Bold in 2023, he’s also revealed two more Batman projects. A Clayface movie is coming out later this year, and Swaybox Studios—known for combining puppets and CGI—is working on Dynamic Duo, scheduled for release in 2028.

Should Fans Be Worried?

Three years might not seem like a long time, especially considering the wait between seasons 4 and 5 of Stranger Things. James Gunn has always emphasized that he won’t start filming anything until the script is perfect, and getting things right takes time.

While those worries are understandable, it was definitely a misstep for Gunn to reveal these projects before they were prepared for filming. With the uncertainty surrounding Warner Bros.’ future, it’s difficult not to feel anxious about what will happen with DC.

Fans were thrilled when these shows and movies were first announced, but with so few updates over the years, it’s easy to feel disappointed. Luckily, there’s still plenty to anticipate – we’re getting Supergirl, Lanterns, and Clayface this year, and Man of Tomorrow is scheduled for 2027.

Although some of the initial projects haven’t progressed much, others are gaining momentum. Development is underway on a Jimmy Olsen series, potentially starting production soon after the ‘Man of Tomorrow’ film wraps. Additionally, writers are currently working on scripts for movies featuring Bane and Deathstroke, the Teen Titans, and Wonder Woman.

2026-03-28 15:10