DC Studios continues to reshape its slate under the leadership of James Gunn and Peter Safran, with major updates on upcoming films and series. At a recent press event, the duo provided clarity on the future of multiple projects, including the confirmation of a Teen Titans live-action movie, new animated series for Starfire and Green Lantern, and updates on the status of Batman’s future in the DCU.
Gunn is currently in post-production on Superman, the first theatrical release of the new DCU, while also finalising Peacemaker Season 2 for Max. Meanwhile, Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow is halfway through filming under director Craig Gillespie, aiming for a 2026 release, and the Green Lantern-focused HBO series Lanterns is officially in production, with stars Kyle Chandler and Aaron Pierre leading the cast. Safran reiterated DC Studios’ plan to release two live-action films and one animated movie per year, alongside two live-action and two animated series for Max, but made it clear that nothing moves forward without a fully developed script.
“We are writer-driven. We are not going to greenlight or put anything into production until we are happy with the script….It is hard enough making a good movie with a good script , it’s almost impossible to make a movie with a script that you’re writing on the run,” Gunn emphasised. This philosophy led to the surprising decision to greenlight Clayface, a film initially not planned in their long-term roadmap, based on Mike Flanagan’s completed script. In contrast, projects like Waller and The Authority remain in limbo due to script challenges, with both struggling to land a clear creative direction.
Safran admitted that Waller has been particularly difficult to develop, “We’ve taken a couple of cracks at it but still haven’t been able to land. Waller has been a bumpy road.” Similarly, The Authority, a Justice League-level team with a Suicide Squad edge, has seen little movement due to ongoing script revisions.
James Mangold’s Swamp Thing, one of the earliest films announced under the DC Studios banner, also appears to have stalled, largely due to Mangold’s commitments to Star Wars: Dawn of the Jedi and A Complete Unknown. While Swamp Thing hasn’t been abandoned, its development has taken a backseat. Sgt. Rock, originally planned as an action-heavy war film, remains without a lead after Daniel Craig’s exit from the role. While no replacement has been named, the project has not been shelved.
Despite these delays, several new projects are officially in motion. A Teen Titans live-action film is now in development, expanding the roster of heroes within the DCU. Meanwhile, the studio is investing in animated storytelling, greenlighting series centered on Starfire and Green Lantern (My Adventures with Green Lantern). Blue Beetle, one of the few DC characters confirmed to transition into the new DCU, will also receive an animated series.
The future of Batman within the DCU remains uncertain. Matt Reeves’ The Batman – Part II continues development, but a script has yet to be finalised, though Safran noted that early drafts have been promising. Concurrently, The Brave and the Bold, a separate Batman film focused on Bruce Wayne and his son Damian, remains in development. Though Andy Muschietti was previously announced as director, Safran revealed that he is not actively involved in the project’s development at this stage, “We’re developing the Brave and Bold script right now and he’ll be the first one to see it.” Gunn himself has taken a hands-on role in shaping The Brave and the Bold, working closely with the unnamed writer to ensure it fits within DC Studios’ long-term plans.
Questions remain about how Batman’s various portrayals will coexist. Gunn shut down speculation that Robert Pattinson could carry over into The Brave and the Bold, making it clear that the Reeves-led Batman universe will remain separate from the mainline DCU. “I wouldn’t rule anything out,” Gunn said. “He could show up in something else. But the actor doesn’t exist [yet].”
Television projects linked to the Batman universe also face uncertainty. While The Penguin has been well-received, no second season has been confirmed. “We don’t know. There are a lot of moving pieces — probably most important Colin himself,” Safrain said. “And 800 pounds of makeup,” Gunn added, alluding to heavy prosthetic work required for Colin Farrell’s transformation into Oswald Cobblepot. Farrell is expected to reprise his role in The Batman – Part II.
DC Studios remains committed to a six-year plan that will ultimately lead to a large-scale crossover event comparable to Avengers: Endgame, though Gunn reiterated that viewers will not be required to watch every entry to understand the story, as “each individual project works as its own thing.” “It isn’t like they’re chapters of an overall story,” he said. “They’re characters that are part of an overall story.”
While details on that culmination remain vague, Gunn and Safran’s focus for now remains on launching their vision of the DCU with Superman in July. How audiences respond to the reboot will determine much of what comes next, making it the first major test for the studio’s new direction. If successful, it will reinforce their approach and validate their commitment to a more deliberate, script-first filmmaking model. If it underperforms, adjustments may be necessary as DC Studios continues shaping its future.
Natalie is a big fan of anything related to movies, TV shows, and anime — you name it. When she’s not reading or being a dedicated cinephile, she’s probably playing gacha and tabletop games, or daydreaming of Caleb from Love and Deepspace.
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