It’s been more than two years since DC Studios Co-chief James Gunn announced the official lineup for chapter one of his restarted DC Universe (DCU). Since then hasn’t much changed – in fact, it’s only a project that has been released (it’s Creature Commandos Season 1) while two more (Clayface and Dynamic duo) has added DCU’s current slate.
That was the case until the latest DCU Press event was held last Friday (February 21), anyway, with Gunn and Colleague Studio CEO Peter Safran, who delivered the most significant update yet on their DCU chapter one plans. Here are the six largest takeaways from the presentation:
1. Robert Pattinson won’t be DCU’s Batman
After months of speculation, Gunn and Safran confirmed that Robert Pattison’s Bruce Wayne/Batman Won’t integrate into DCU. The couple’s attitude towards the case comes after several reports that Matt Reeves’ Batman universe, called Batman Epic Crime Saga, would be folded into DCU. Apparently it would have seen Reeves installed as the most important creative voice for Caped Crusader’s large and small screen adaptations on DC Studios and watched upcoming films like Batman Part II Merged to chapter one’s lineup.
However, it does not happen. Gunn told journalists (per IGN) that Reeves’ Bat-Vers continues to sit independently of DCU and that progress is being made on the DCU chapter’s upcoming Dark Knight movie, alias The brave and bold. In fact, a writer has been hired and once they have submitted a manuscript, it will be overlooked by Gunn, Safran and the film’s director Andy Muschietti to determine if it is good enough to get into full production.
2. Supergirl: Tomorrow Woman and Lanterns get significant film updates
Gunn’s Superman Film is the next DCU project that will be released – it flies into theaters on July 11 – but two other chapter 1 productions I am really excited about, received major production updates at last week’s presentation.
Supergirl: Tomorrow WomanAs launched in cinemas all over the world in June 2026, is midway through its shooting plan (per deadline). That flick will star Dragon House Alumnus Milly Alcock as the titular hero that we got our first look at in a photo that will be very well known for DC Comic Book fans, with Jason Momoa recently thrown as immortal anti-hero lobo.
On the TV front, LanternsAs is invoiced as a ‘new weird’ sci-fi, HBO’s recognized anthology crime series Real detectiveJust wrapped up his first week’s filming. According to the same time -out article in the previous section, it could be released at Max in early 2026. It will play Aaron Pierre and Kyle Chandler as Co-Leads Jon Stewart and Hal Jordan, who are also two of the most recognizable characters to have kept the green lantern moniker.
3. New details arise about Mike Flanagan’s ClayFace movie
One of the newer projects that was green -lit for DCU chapter 1, Horror Auteur Mike Flanagan’s Clayface Movies should start filming in the middle of 2025 according to Gunn and Safran. Per IGN, it will also be an r-rating flick, with Gunn that adds that it will be “pure f *** ing horror, like, totally real. Their version of the movie it is so real and sand and Psychological and body horror and rough.
Gunn and Safran confirmed reports that James Watkins, the filmmaker behind the 2024s Speak no evil movie, is on board to instruct Clayface. It is currently pencil for release in September 2026.
4. Paradise Lost, Booster Gold and Swamp Thing are all still under development …
Given the time that has passed since DCU Chapter One’s lineup was revealed, fans have begun to grow concerned that some of the advertised projects are not being made. Well, Gunn and Safran have moved to dampen some of these fears.
First, the duo revealed that Paradise lost, one Game of Thrones-Sque series that could introduce Dian Prince/Wonder Woman to DCU is still in the works. However, no writer has been found to penetrate his manuscripts.
Meanwhile, a showrunner/lead author of Boosting goldAnother DCU -TV show, Safran revealed (per Hollywood reporter) that the named person eventually went away from the project. A new scripture teacher has been found, so it sounds like it’s full steam rather than this one again.
Then there is Swamp ThingAnother horror-driven movie that comes from James Mangold (LoganAt A complete unknown). Safran said (via Deadline) that the ball is firm in Mangold’s court of its development, but added that he and Gunn are sure he will be around it in the near future.
5. … but this is not good news for Waller or the authority
However, two DCU productions that are in trouble are Waller and The authority.
Where the former is concerned, Safran admitted: “We have taken a few cracks on it but still have not been able to land [it]”, then this follow -up to the 2021s Suicide Squadlast year’s first season of Creature Commandosand this year Peacemaker Season 2 (it will arrive sometime in August) is on ice for the time being.
As for The authorityGunn told the overall press: “(It is) the one that was messed up through all the other things that happened. The manuscript had a harder time to come with”. The reason? Gunn and Safran said it is difficult to make a superhero movie or TV show that takes a cynical approach to the cartoon -medium, like The authoritysource material does. In spite of the enormous success The boys‘TV adaptation has had on Prime Video, the couple added that the audience may have grown tired of such projects, and thus the decision to put The authority On the back burn.
6. There may be up to seven DCU releases each year
Ever since he became DC Studios’ Co-Ceo, Gunn has consistently stated that DCU projects are not green unless he and Safran believe they are ready to go.
It seems that the couple is slowly changing the tune. In quotes attributed to saffron of collider, there may be up to seven (!) DCU productions released every year. It includes new films of live-action and animated black (two of the former, one of the latter) and four TV shows (two live action and two animated) every 12 months. It was no big surprise to learn that Gunn and Safran have a number of new animated productions including My adventures with the green lanterns and Starfire.
Given the current climate of superhero fatigue, the possibility of seven DC Studios projects being launched every year raising a few eyebrows. Of course, there will be people who do not see every one of them, but given that some Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) fans have lost interest in it, there is every chance that potential DCU fans may get tired of feeling , that they have it to consume each movie and series for fear of lack of key stories, character introductions and more. Hopefully we will soon get clarity whether all these movies and TV shows are officially part of DCU or not.
