DCU Chapter One is almost upon us. James Gunn and Peter Safran's rebooted DC Cinematic Universe (DCU) is about to officially begin, with Creature Commandos set to lead the charge with a two-episode premiere on December 5. DC's global fanbase, then, will be hoping the comic titan's new-look cinematic franchise will get off to the best possible start.
Creature Commandos is only the first of many new movies and Max shows that'll debut in the coming years. Indeed, there are plenty of fascinating projects in the works at DC Studios, and I've rounded up every single one in this one-stop shop guide so you can learn more about when each Chapter One – or, to mention its alternate name, Gods and Monsters – project will arrive. You'll also find more details about each Elseworlds production that's in development, too. So, what are you waiting for? Dive in!
DCU Chapter One: every movie and TV show
In January 2023, Gunn revealed the DCU Chapter One's full line-up. In total, 11 projects – five movies and six TV shows – were announced, but only five have officially been greenlit. That quintet all have official release dates or launch windows, too, so at least half of the unveiled productions will eventually make it onto the big or small screen. As of October 2024, Gunn (per his Threads account) says every previously announced project is still in development.
Here's the complete list, for anyone interested (NB: projects that don't have a release date have been labeled 'TBC'):
- Creature Commandos (TV show, December 5, 2024)
- Superman (movie, July 11, 2025)
- Peacemaker season 2 (TV show, sometime in August 2025)
- Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow (movie, June 26, 2026)
- Lanterns (TV show, sometime in 2026)
- The Authority (movie, TBC)
- The Brave and the Bold (movie, TBC)
- Booster Gold (TV show, TBC)
- Paradise Lost (TV show, TBC)
- Swamp Thing (movie, TBC)
- Waller (TV show, TBC)
DC Chapter One movies
Superman
Release date: July 11, 2025
Director: James Gunn
Confirmed cast: David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan, Nicholas Hoult, Nathan Fillion, Isabela Merced, Edi Gathegi, Anthony Carrigan, Maria Gabriela de Faría, Skyler Gisondo, Sara Sampaio, Pruitt Taylor Vince, and Neva Howell
The first DCU Chapter One film, Superman has been written and directed by Gunn, and is still on course to meet its July 2025 launch. Read my Superman movie guide to learn more about its cast of characters, likely plot and DCU impact.
Corenswet is the latest incumbent to wear the famous red cape, Brosnahan is playing Daily Planet reporter/perennial Supes love interest Lois Lane, and Hoult will portray infamous Superman villain Lex Luthor. Corrigan will also portray Metamorpho, Merced is Hawkgirl, Edi Gathegi plays Mister Terrific, and Fillion is Guy Gardner, one of Green Lantern's many iterations.
Gisondo has been hired as Clark’s long-standing photographer buddy Jimmy Olsen, de Faría will play The Engineer (a character we'll see again in The Authority), and Sampaio will play Eve Teschmacher, one of Luthor's LexCorp allies. Lastly, Vince and Howell are playing Jonathan 'Pa' Kent and Martha Kent, Clark's adoptive human parents.
Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow
Release date: June 26, 2026
Director: Craig Gillespie
Confirmed cast: Milly Alcock and Eve Ridley
Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow will be the first solo big-screen outing for Superman’s cousin since the Helen Slater-starring 1984 movie. The character appeared in The Flash and her self-titled CW show, though, so she won't be completely *ahem* alien to audiences. Ana Nogeuira has written the script, while Gillespie is its director. At New York Comic-Con (NYCC), Gunn confirmed (via Screen Brief) that filming will begin in January.
Inspired by Tom King’s comic-book run of the same name, it'll arrive almost one year on from the release of Gunn's Superman film. Milly Alcock, who played a young Rhaenyra Targaryen in House of the Dragon, will star as the titular hero – Alcock being confirmed as Kara Zor-El just days after Gunn whittled down his Supergirl casting list to two stars in January.
On the supporting cast front, Krypto the Superdog is expected to make an appearance. At NYCC, Gunn confirmed 3 Body Problem's Eve Ridley will play another prominent character in Ruthye Marye Knoll. Lastly, Deadline also claims Matthias Schoenaerts has been hired to play the movie's unidentified villain.
The Brave and the Bold
Release date: TBC
Director: TBC
Cast: TBC
Based on Grant Morrison’s popular run of comic books, The Brave and the Bold's movie adaptation – one of TechRadar's most anticipated DCU Chapter One projects – will see Bruce Wayne teaming up with his violent and narcissistic son Damian, a teen raised by assassins who goes on to become Bat-sidekick Robin.
Variety and Deadline claim The Flash’s Andy Muschietti is being lined up to direct it, while a DCEU Leaks Reddit thread suggests John Logan (Gladiator, Skyfall) is in talks to pen the script. Speaking to Collider, though, Gunn said the film won't get made "until we have a screenplay that I’m totally happy with", so don't expect this one for a while yet.
The Authority
Release date: TBC
Director: TBC
Confirmed cast: Maria Gabriela de Faría
DCU Chapter One will introduce The Authority, a lesser known team of antiheroes who feel right up Gunn’s street. Based on Warren Ellis and Bryan Hitch's comic series (released via DC’s Wildstorm imprint), it'll focus on the eponymous group who are prepared to use any means necessary to save the day – a modus operandi rather like Peacemaker’s heavy-handed quest for peace.
"One of our strategies is that we take our diamond characters – Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman – and we use that to help prop up other characters that people don’t know," Gunn said at a DCU launch party (via THR). "Like what happened with the Guardians in some way... taking teams like The Authority, which I know is just a spectacular idea for a film that's a completely different take on superheroes."
De Faría should feature as The Engineer following her appearance in Superman, but no-one else has been cast. A writer has been in place for "a long time", according to Gunn (via the DCU Updates X fan account) and the DCEU Leaks X account claims Matthew Vaugh (Kick Ass, The Kingsman) is in talks to direct.
Swamp Thing
Release date: TBC
Director: TBC
Cast: TBC
The brainchild of Wolverine creator Len Wein, Swamp Thing's comic series tells the story of brilliant scientist Alec Holland, who finds his consciousness merged with a bog after an attack on his research facility.
This new take on the character will be written by James Mangold (Logan, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny), who’ll reportedly take inspiration from Watchmen creator Alan Moore’s legendary ’80s run on the comic. However, with Mangold also attached to Bob Dylan biopic A Complete Unknown and a standalone Star Wars prequel film, it may be some time before this DCU Chapter One entry puts its head above water.
"The truth is, I’m writing both right now," Mangold told Collider at Star Wars Celebration 2023. "Who knows what’s going to happen and what’s going to blossom first or second? [But] I’m doing Swamp Thing, there’s your scoop. It’s not a rumor, it’s happening."
DCU Chapter One TV shows
Creature Commandos
Release date: December 5, 2024
Directors: Dean Lorey and Yves 'Balak' Bigerel
Confirmed cast: Frank Grillo, Maria Bakalova, Indira Varma, Zoë Chao, Alan Tudyk, David Harbour, Sean Gunn, Viola Davis, Anya Chalotra, and Steve Agee
Creature Commandos – penned and executively produced by James Gunn – will be the first DCU Chapter One project to arrive. The seven-part series' December 5 release date on Max means it'll go up against two big Disney Plus rivals. Per the series' logline, the antihero/villain-centric team are "recruited for missions deemed too dangerous for humans. When all else fails…they’re your last, worst option".
The show's voice cast roster comprises Grillo as Rick Flag Sr, Bakalova as Princess Ilana, Chalotra as Circe, Chao as Nina Mazursky, Sean Gunn as GI Robot and Weasel, Harbour as Frankenstein, Tudyk as Doctor Phosphorus and Clayface, Varma as The Bride, Davis as Amanda Waller, and Agee as John Economos. Gunn says (per The Hollywood Reporter) some of these characters, and the actors who play them, may make the jump to live-action projects – and vice versa – throughout DCU Chapter One, too. For more information, read my dedicated Creature Commandos hub.
Peacemaker season 2
Release date: August 2025
Director: James Gunn
Confirmed cast: John Cena, Frank Grillo, Danielle Brooks, Jennifer Holland, Steve Agee, Freddie Stroma, Robert Patrick, and Tim Meadows
Although it existed as a DCEU TV spin-off of The Suicide Squad, Gunn is making a second season of Peacemaker, which will sit under the DCU banner. It'll follow on from Superman (per Gunn on Threads) and, per HBO boss Casey Bloys, Peacemaker season 2 is set to arrive next August.
The first footage from Peacemaker 2 was also released as part of a 'new on Max' in 2025 trailer – clips that included a first look at Grillo's live-action take on Flag Sr., which is a season 2 cast reveal that we think will make it harder to follow the DCU. The first-look footage also confirmed the 11th Street Kids – Economos, Emilia Harcourt, Leota Adebayo, and Adrian Chase/Vigilante – will be part of proceedings.
On the newcomers front, Tim Meadows is on board as ARGUS agent Langston Fleury, while Gunn has stated Patrick will somehow return as Peacemaker's deceased father. According to The Wrap, Sol Rodríguez and David Denman have also boarded the project. Rodríguez will reportedly play someone named Sasha Bordeaux, but Denman's role hasn't been disclosed. Finally, Gunn teased the addition of a new mystery character for Peacemaker 2, which sparked a fierce debate among fans about who they might be.
Lanterns
Release date: sometime in 2026
Director: TBC
Confirmed cast: Aaron Pierre, Kyle Chandler, and Nathan Fillion
2011's much-derided Ryan Reynolds-starring Green Lantern may have killed a franchise before it even started. But, over a decade later, DC will revive another of its beloved superheroes on the small screen after it was officially greenlit in late June. Production will begin on True Detective-style series shortly, Gunn told IGN, after Pierre and Chandler's hiring (as John Stewart and Hal Jordan) were confirmed in mid-October. They're likely to be joined by Fillion's Gardner following his role in Superman.
Lanterns' creative team was revealed in May, with one particular addition being a perfect fit for its crime thriller tendencies. As for its other supporting cast members, Kelly McDonald (per Variety), Garret Dillahunt (via Deadline), and Poorna Jagannathan (also Deadline) are all believed to have been offered roles.
Waller
Release date: TBC
Director: TBC
Confirmed cast: Viola Davis
Gunn will tackle an Amanda Waller standalone series after Peacemaker season 2 (per Threads). With filming set to wrap on the aforementioned series shortly, I wouldn't be surprised if there's some movement on the cast and director front for this one in early 2025, especially after Gunn completes his work on Superman.
Regardless, following her voicing the same morally complex individual in Creature Commandos, Davis will headline this live-action Peacemaker spin-off on Max, aka one of the world's best streaming services. Taking to Threads, Gunn confirmed events in Peacemaker season 2 will directly lead into Waller. Christal Henry (Watchmen) and Jeremy Carver (Doom Patrol) have reportedly written its scripts (per Deadline).
Paradise Lost
Release date: TBC
Director: TBC
Cast: TBC
Lanterns isn’t the only DCU Chapter One release taking its cues from one of the best Max shows, because Paradise Lost will go back to Wonder Woman’s island home for some political in-fighting. "It’s going to be a Game of Thrones-ish story about Themyscira, the home of the Amazons and the birthplace of Wonder Woman," Safran previous teased. "This drama is really about the political intrigue behind this society of all women". Nexus Point News suggests its found its writers, too, with Kira Snyder and Janet Lin tapped to pen its scripts.
Taking to Threads in early October, Gunn admitted there's been movement on the Paradise Lost and Wonder Woman front. That update is the only one we've received in many months, though, so this series is still a while away.
Booster Gold
Release date: TBC
Director: TBC
Cast: TBC
If your first thought was "...who???" when you saw this DCU Chapter One project, you’re not alone. Booster Gold, aka Michael Jon Carter, is arguably the most unlikely superhero on the 'Gods and Monsters' roster but, if you’ve seen any of Gunn’s previous output, you’ll understand why this lesser known comic book appealed to his sensibilities.
For the uninitiated: it’s the story of a guy – read: loser – from the future who comes back in time to the present and uses basic future tech to convince everyone he’s a superhero. Or, as Gunn puts it: "It's the superhero story of imposter syndrome".
Like many DCU Chapter One projects, there are very few details about it. Industry insider Daniel RPK (per DCU Film News) suggested a showrunner and Carter casting would be announced soon, while Nexus Point News claims Kumail Nanjiani has been cast as the titular character. Thus far, however, Gunn hasn't confirmed any of this is legitimate.
DC Elseworlds: The Batman sequel and beyond
Non-DCEU releases, including The Batman and Joker, have been among Warner Bros’ biggest box-office hits recently, so it's a smart move that their sequels and spin-offs won’t be shoehorned into the DCU. Instead, they're releasing under the Elseworlds banner, a nod to a DC Comics imprint of the same name.
However, Gunn has said DC Studios won’t go overboard on stories that exist outside the main universe's continuity. "The bar for Elseworlds tales is going to have to be higher than the bar for something within the DCU," he said (per Collider). "Not that we’re not always going to have a high bar, but it’s got to be something really special for us to tell that story outside of our regular continuity, and to spend the money on it to make it."
Here's a brief rundown of every Elseworlds project that's been unveiled so far:
The Batman Part II
Release date: October 2, 2026
Director: Matt Reeves
Confirmed cast: Robert Pattinson, Jeffrey Wright, Andy Serkis, and Colin Farrell
The follow-up to 2022's critically-acclaimed detective noir take on the Caped Crusader, this flick was supposed to arrive in October 2025. However, The Batman Part 2's release was delayed by a full year (thanks to the 2023 Hollywood strikes) in March. Filming will get underway in early 2025, Reeves has co-penned the script with Mattson Tomlin, and Reeves is slated to direct again. On the cast front,
Pattinson will reprise his role as Gotham's protector-in-chief, while Andy Serkis, Jeffrey Wright, and Colin Farrell – the latter fresh off his leading role in The Penguin – are all back as Alfred Pennyworth, Jim Gordon, and Oz Cobb. Barry Keoghan has also seemingly teased he'll be back as Joker (per ETalk). For more details on everything about this film, read my hub on The Batman Part II.
Dynamic Duo
Release date: TBC
Director: TBC
Confirmed cast: TBC
Announced in early October, Dynamic Duo will be an animated flick that's being written by Matt Aldritch, and is being produced by Reeves' 6th and Idaho company. It'll be a joint venture between DC Studios and Warner Bros Pictures Animation, too, with visionary animation studio Swaybox helming its production.
Little is know about this DCU Chapter One adjacent flick, but it'll follow the adventures of two characters who went on to become Robin – those being Dick Grayson and Jason Todd. Other details are being kept under lock and key for now.
Other Elseworlds projects
There are other DC Elseworlds movies that are rumored to be in development.
Taking to Threads in January, Gunn confirmed that J.J Abrams and Ta-Nehisi Coates' Superman film, which has been in the works for years, is still being developed. A March 2024 article from THR also suggests that a live-action Teen Titans flick is coming from Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow scribe Ana Nogueira. Meanwhile, Deadline reports that an animated Blue Beetle series is also on the way.
Lastly, THR and Deadline released reports in late September that claimed a Bane and Deathstroke-starring film was in the early stages of being created, too. Until Gunn officially announces any of these projects, though, you and I don't know if they'll actually get made.
For more DC-based coverage, read our guides on how to watch the DC movies in order, how to watch the Batman movies in order, and the best Batman movies. Alternatively, find out which DC films made it onto our best Max movies list.
