The future plans and roadmap for the DC Universe (DCU) under James Gunn and Peter Safran—as laid out since their takeover of DC Studios in late 2022—are organized into distinct phases (called “chapters”), with an initial focus on building a coherent, interconnected universe across movies, TV shows, and even video games.
Key Elements of the DCU Roadmap:
- Chapter 1: Gods and Monsters (2025–2030, approximately)
- Feature Films:
- Superman: Legacy (July 11, 2025)
- The Authority
- The Brave and the Bold
- Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow
- Swamp Thing
- Clayface (September 11, 2026; greenlit after an impressive script by Mike Flanagan)
- TV Series:
- Creature Commandos (Animated, 2024)
- Peacemaker Season 2
- Waller
- Booster Gold
- Lanterns
- Paradise Lost
- Release Philosophy:
- The aim is for approximately three films per year (typically two live-action, one animated), plus two live-action and two animated series annually.
- DC Studios prioritizes script quality, so projects are only greenlit when scripts meet Gunn’s standards there is no rigid mandate for the number of releases per year.
- The roadmap is designed to introduce and develop each major DC hero individually before culminating in a new Justice League-style crossover event, akin to Marvel’s Avengers films.
Long-Term Vision:
- Six-year plan: The rough timeline for the rollout of “Chapter 1,” leading into subsequent chapters with evolving story arcs and character development.
- Interconnected storytelling: Characters and actors will cross between film, TV (including animation), and even video games wherever possible. The intent is one unified continuity.
- Justice League Reboot: The franchise is set to reintroduce and re-establish core Justice League characters before assembling them in a new team film sometime after the initial solo/development projects.
- Spin-offs and secondary series: For example, there are already plans for possible Superman spinoffs focused on characters such as Mister Terrific and Jimmy Olsen.
- Flexibility and adaptation: Gunn has emphasized that individual project greenlights and timelines may shift depending on script quality and external factors each chapter is “an overall story” with projects treated as their own crucial points.
Video Game Integration:
- Although DC Studios does not directly control Warner Bros Games, Gunn confirmed that upcoming video games will intertwine with the same canon as films and TV, using the same actors where practical.
Sample Timeline/Table of Upcoming DCU Releases:
| Project Type | Title | Expected/Set Date |
|---|---|---|
| Movie | Superman: Legacy | July 11, 2025 |
| Movie | The Authority | TBA |
| Movie | The Brave and the Bold | TBA |
| Movie | Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow | TBA |
| Movie | Swamp Thing | TBA |
| Movie | Clayface | September 11, 2026 |
| Animated Series | Creature Commandos | 2024 |
| TV Series | Waller | TBA |
| TV Series | Booster Gold | TBA |
| TV Series | Lanterns | TBA |
| TV Series | Paradise Lost | TBA |
Key Milestones in Gunn’s DCU Roadmap (2025–2031)
1. Rollout of “Chapter 1: Gods and Monsters”
- Start of the Unified DCU: Marks the beginning of an interconnected continuity across movies, TV, and animated projects.
- Introduction of Core Heroes: Solo debuts and new interpretations of iconic DC characters before larger team crossovers.
2. Major Scheduled Releases
Feature Films
- Superman: Legacy
- Expected release: July 11, 2025
- Launches the new DCU continuity and sets the tone for the universe.
- The Authority
- Expected: Post-2025
- Introduces a new super-powered team with a complex moral code.
- The Brave and the Bold
- Expected: Date TBA
- Focuses on Batman and Damian Wayne (Robin), highlighting the Bat-family within the DCU.
- Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow
- Expected: Date TBA
- Introduces a new version of Supergirl, distinct from the traditional Kryptonian narrative.
- Swamp Thing
- Expected: Date TBA
- Explores DC’s mystical and horror dimensions.
- Clayface
- Expected: September 11, 2026
- Expands on supernatural and villain-centric storytelling.
Television and Animation
- Creature Commandos (Animated Series)
- Release: 2024
- A foundational piece for the new DCU chronology, even preceding Superman: Legacy.
- Waller
- Expected: TBA
- Amanda Waller-centric series with connections to Peacemaker and other DCU properties.
- Booster Gold
- Expected: TBA
- Sci-fi and comedic exploration of a time-traveling hero.
- Lanterns
- Expected: TBA
- Green Lantern-focused cop series, investigating a broad DCU mystery.
- Paradise Lost
- Expected: TBA
- Prequel exploring the origins of Themyscira.
- Peacemaker Season 2
- Expected: TBA
3. Cross-Media Integration
- Video Games: Narrative connections with films/series; actors will cross media when practical.
- Unified Casting/Storytelling: Consistent actors voicing or playing characters across media.
4. Justice League Reboot (Milestone Beyond 2029)
- Team Formation: Planned for after core solo projects introduce foundational heroes; a major team-up film is in development for after initial “Chapter 1” milestones are complete.
5. Continuous Content Pipeline
- Annual Target: ~3 films and 4 series (mix of live-action and animation) per year, pending script quality and creative approval—not a rigid quota.
- Spin-offs and Expansions: Tentative projects planned for secondary characters (like a Mister Terrific or Jimmy Olsen project) based on response to flagship films.
6. Ongoing Script and Project Development
- Emphasis on flexibility, with evolving roadmaps based on audience reception and creative direction.
- Projects are only greenlit with high-quality scripts, not by arbitrary deadlines.
Previously Released Movies of DCEU are available on Netflix.
Stay tuned to our website AbsoluteCinema.in for more updates on DC Universe.