Even after 18 years, DC Comics and Warner Bros. haven’t replicated the reliable output of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but it sure seems like James Gunn is determined to strong-arm this newest attempt into success. Since becoming co-CEO of DC Studios back in 2022, Gunn has constructed an ambitious Chapter One of the burgeoning DC Universe franchise on-screen, with plans to introduce new versions of Batman (separate from Matt Reeves’ incarnation) and Wonder Woman in solo films while also making room for smaller projects like the upcoming Clayface. The critical and commercial success of last year’s Superman felt like a solid foundation to build on, but this summer’s box office failure of Supergirl throws everything into question.
But one struggling movie isn’t going to stop such an expensive locomotive, and there are still a lot more DC Universe projects coming, including the Superman sequel Man of Tomorrow and Lanterns, a TV adaptation of the Green Lantern mythos. There are also numerous spin-offs in the works, from a TV show about Superman MVP Mr. Terrific to an animated retelling of Tom King’s Mister Miracle comic book miniseries. The most surprising of these shows is the untitled Jimmy Olsen series, and it’s the one that just picked up the most steam with an unexpected casting announcement.
