DCU Chapter One is going nowhere. Despite Netflix's potential $82.7 billion buyout of Warner Bros., DC Studios' movie and TV slate will reportedly plough on as normal. So, we can all breathe a sigh of relief after those murmurings that James Gunn and Peter Safran's cinematic franchise would be killed off just as it was really getting started.
And "getting started" it most certainly is. With 2026 set to double the amount of DC Universe (DCU) projects that'll have released by the time this year ends, and plenty more new movies and HBO Max shows in the pipeline, it's an exciting time to be a DC comic book fan. So, read on to see what DC films and TV series are coming to a screen near you in 206 and beyond.
DCU Chapter One full line-up
In January 2023, Gunn revealed the DCU Chapter One's initial line-up. In total, 11 projects – five movies and six TV shows – were announced, but more have been added to its slate since Gunn's original announcement.
For a complete rundown of every DCU Chapter One film and TV series currently in development, plus any known release dates for said productions, read on:
- Supergirl (movie, June 26, 2026)
- Lanterns (TV show, expected mid-2026 (date TBC))
- Clayface (movie, September 11, 2026)
- Man of Tomorrow (movie, July 9, 2027)
- The Authority (movie, TBC)
- Blue Beetle (TV show, TBC)
- The Brave and the Bold (movie, TBC)
- Booster Gold (TV show, TBC)
- Creature Commandos season 2 (TV show, TBC)
- Mister Miracle (TV show, TBC)
- Paradise Lost (TV show, TBC)
- Sgt Rock (movie, TBC)
- Swamp Thing (movie, TBC)
- Untitled Jimmy Olsen spin-off (TV show, TBC)
- Waller (TV show, TBC)
- Wonder Woman (movie, TBC)
DCU Chapter One: confirmed release dates and launch windows
Supergirl
Release date: June 26, 2026
Director: Craig Gillespie
Main cast: Milly Alcock, Matthias Schoenaerts, Eve Ridley, and Jason Momoa
Supergirl, which was originally called Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow until James Gunn confirmed its name change in June 2025, will be the first solo big-screen outing for Superman’s cousin since the Helen Slater-starring 1984 movie.
House of the Dragon alumnus Milly Alcock will star as the titular hero and she'll be joined by a number of famous faces and rising stars as part of the film's cast. For more on that, read my Supergirl cast and character guide.
Plot wise, it'll directly adapt the story told in the Woman of Tomorrow's comic book series. You can see how closely it matches that graphic novel via my archived Supergirl trailer launch live blog. Then, read my guide on everything we know so far about Supergirl to get the full lowdown ahead of release.
Clayface
Release date: September 11, 2026
Director: James Watkins
Confirmed cast: Tom Rhys Harries
Billed as a low-budget horror film, Clayface has been written by horror auteur Mike Flanagan. It'll be directed by Speak No Evil's James Watkins and an unlikely star in Tom Rhys Harries has been cast in the titular role.
According to Harries, filming wrapped in November (thanks to Reddit for the find), so it's on track to meet its September 2026 release date. You can read more about the Batman villain's first standalone film by checking my dedicated guide to Clayface.
Lanterns
Release window: sometime in 2026
Directors: James Hawes, Stephen Williams, Geeta Vasant Patel, and Alik Sakharov
Confirmed cast: Aaron Pierre, Kyle Chandler, Nathan Fillion, and Ulrich Thomsen
The DCU's first Green Lantern project, Lanterns was expected to light up HBO Max in the first three months of next year. However, last October, rumors spread that indicated Lanterns wouldn't air in early 2026. One month later, HBO boss Casey Bloys confirmed Lanterns would launch sometime after mid-2026.
Regardless, post-production on the show, which stars Aaron Pierre and Kyle Chandler as John Stewart and Hal Jordan, should be nearly over. And, with fans getting their first look at the pair in action via a HBO Max sizzle reel trailer last December, it seems like it'll be worth the wait.
For more on the HBO TV Original's likely cast, plot details, and other must-know information, read my dedicated guide on Lanterns.
Man of Tomorrow
Release date: July 9, 2027
Director: James Gunn
Confirmed cast: David Corenswet, Nicholas Hoult, and Lars Eindinger
The sequel to Gunn's Superman movie, Man of Tomorrow will arrive in mid-2027. Hoult has said (per Variety) that filming will get underway in April.
As for its story, Gunn has said "it's a story about Superman and Lex Luthor working together" to combat an otherworldly threat. DC fans immediately believed Gunn had teased its Big Bad would be Brainiac via Man of Tomorrow's finished script and, in December 2025, Gunn confirmed he'd cast Eindinger as the android supervillain.
For more on Gunn's next DCU Chapter One project, read my guide on Man of Tomorrow.
DCU Chapter One: movies in development
The Authority
Release date: TBC
Director: TBC
Possible cast: Maria Gabriela de Faría
DCU Chapter One could still introduce The Authority, a lesser known team of antiheroes who feel right up Gunn’s street. However, at a press event last February, Gunn said progress was moving slow on this one – and, while he confirmed it hadn't been shelved during a chat with Deadline in October 2025, he didn't rule out the prospect of turning The Authority into an animated show instead.
Whatever form it takes, The Authority should be based on Warren Ellis and Bryan Hitch's comic series (released via DC’s Wildstorm imprint) and focus on the eponymous group who are prepared to use any means necessary to save the day.
The Brave and the Bold
Release date: TBC
Director: Andy Muschietti
Cast: TBC
Based on Grant Morrison’s graphic novel 'Batman and Son', The Brave and the Bold (TB&TB) should see Bruce Wayne team up with his violent and narcissistic son Damian, a teen raised by assassins who goes on to become the latest incumbent of the Robin moniker.
Speaking last year, Gunn said he thinks "he has a way in" on TB&TB's script, but "plenty of things are in flux" (per IGN) about what its plot entails. Since then, it's emerged that The Flash and Bumblebee writer Christina Hodson is penning The Brave and the Bold's script. Andy Muschietti (also The Flash) will direct it, too.
Taking to Threads in January, Gunn also said fans shouldn't expect it to arrive anytime soon because he doesn't want TB&TB to drop around the same time as The Batman Part II, which releases in October 2027. Fans shouldn't expect Alan Ritchson to play the DCU's Batman, either, with the actor telling Variety that, despite chatting to Gunn about the role, "I strongly don’t think that Batman is in my future."
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 is still believed to involve James Mangold despite the Logan and Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny director signing a first-look deal with Paramount (per Gizmodo). That recent tidbit aside, there's nothing else to report on this DCU Chapter One movie.
Sgt Rock
Release date: TBC
Director: TBC
Cast: TBC
After making his DCU debut in Creature Commandos episode 3, Sergeant Rock was reportedly getting a standalone movie. Call Me By Your Name's Luca Guadagnino was due to direct it with Challengers' Justin Kuritzkes penning its screenplay. Colin Farrell was in talks to star (via THR), too.
Since then, confusion has reigned over Sgt Rock's status amid reports it's been shelved. Last July, Gunn told the Happy Sad Confused podcast that it was still in active development albeit without Guadagnino. Most recently, Farrell told the Happy Sad Confused podcast that he had no idea if it'll get made.
Wonder Woman
Release date: TBC
Director: TBC
Cast: TBC
After Gunn sparked excitement about Wonder Woman's DCU debut last May, the DC Studios co-head later announced it was in early development.
Fans think one Star Wars actor is the clear choice to play her, but Gunn has said (per Threads) that nobody has been cast as Diana Prince yet. Gunn also revealed it won't enter full production until its script, which is being penned by Supergirl scribe Ana Nogeuira, is complete.
It's unclear how this film will impact Paradise Lost, the previously announced DCU TV series that'll be based on Prince's home island of Themyscira (more on this later). Given that it's seen as a "priority" by Gunn and Safran, though, it's likely to be made and released before that show.
DCU Chapter One: TV shows in development
Blue Beetle
Release date: TBC
Director: TBC
Possible cast: Xolo Maridueña
Neither Gunn or Safran have commented on this production yet. However, Ángel Manuel Soto, who directed the now-defunct DCEU's Blue Beetle movie, has suggested Jaime Reyes will soon join the DCU (per The Direct).
Soto's comments follow a 2024 report from Deadline, whose sources indicated that an animated show was in early development at DC Studios. Until Gunn and/or Safran mention Blue Beetle's name, though, don't take this as confirmation that said project is being worked on.
Booster Gold
Release date: TBC
Director: TBC
Cast: TBC
If your first thought was "...who?", 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 character appeals to his sensibilities.
For the uninitiated, it’s the story of a guy (read: loser) from the future who travels 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. The latest intel is that Our Flag Means Death creator David Jenkins has been tapped to be Booster Gold's showrunner. Meanwhile, rumors continue to spread that Kumail Nanjiani (Eternals, The Big Sick) will play its protagonist. Messrs Gunn and Safran are yet to comment on either rumor.
Creature Commandos season 2
Release date: TBC
Director: TBC
Cast: TBC
Creature Commandos was renewed for a second season in December 2024. Showrunner Dean Lorey has confirmed work is already underway on its next installment (per Collider), while Gunn has confirmed he isn't writing its scripts (via Threads).
While we wait for the series' return, remind yourself what happened last time around via my Creature Commandos season 1 ending explained piece. You can also get the full lowdown on its follow-up by reading my dedicated guide on Creature Commandos season 2.
Mister Miracle
Release date: TBC
Director: TBC
Expected cast: TBC
Another adaptation of a Tom King graphic novel – he wrote Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow – Mister Miracle is not only confirmed to be in development, but it'll also be a DCU Chapter One animated project.
Posting on Threads, Gunn also revealed it'll be a canonical entry in the DCU, before the DC Studios co-chief hinted we could see it "soon". How soon, though, is anyone's guess.
Paradise Lost
Release date: TBC
Director: TBC
Cast: TBC
Paradise Lost will go back to Wonder Woman’s idyllic 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 teased in January 2023. "This drama is really about the political intrigue behind this society of all women."
In February 2025, Gunn revealed work was ongoing, but a writer still hadn't been found, so this series is still a while away. Despite a Wonder Woman movie being in the works, Gunn told the I Think You're Overthinking It podcast that progress is still being made on it, too, so it hasn't been canceled.
Untitled Jimmy Olsen spin-off
Release date: TBC
Director: TBC
Expected cast: Skyler Gisondo
Rumored to be in development in November 2025, this Superman movie spin-off is thought to revolve around Gisondo's Jimmy Olsen and, more generally, The Daily Planet.
Little else is known about it but, while Gunn has played down the notion that it'll be called DC Crime, he didn't outright confirm that this project wasn't being worked on. That's as good as any confirmation that it'll see the light of day, then!
Waller
Release date: TBC
Director: TBC
Confirmed cast: Viola Davis
An Amanda Waller standalone series was expected to be Gunn's next project after Peacemaker season 2 (per Threads). However, speaking in February 2025, Gunn said: "We’ve taken a couple of cracks at it but still haven’t been able to land [it]. Waller has been a bumpy road".
Last June, Gunn revealed (via Threads) it's still in development – comments he doubled-down on during a chat with People magazine in October 2025. Once a breakthrough his achieved, Davis will headline this live-action Peacemaker spin-off.
In a 2024 post on Threads, Gunn confirmed events in Peacemaker season 2 will directly lead into Waller. It's unclear if that's still the case and/or if Waller will be Peacemaker season 3 in all but name. Read my guide on Peacemaker season 3 to learn more about why the latter suggestion isn't as preposterous as it seems.
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 how to watch the Superman movies in order. Then, see if you agree with our ranking of the best Batman movies.
