Superman and Batman Reborn: DC Studios’ Movie and TV Plans Revealed

DC Studios CEO James Gunn on Tuesday gave us our first look at the upcoming DC Studios film lineup and HBO Max TV shows, featuring well-known characters such as Batman and Supergirl as well as lesser-known characters such as Booster Gold, Creature Commandos and The Authority.

The upcoming film Superman: Legacy will act as the “true beginning” of the world of the reborn hero. The new actor will replace Henry Cavill as the Man of Steel in the film, which is scheduled to hit theaters on July 11, 2025.

Just like the Marvel Cinematic Universe has “phases” (heading for phase 5 this year), DC’s upcoming slide is called Gods and Monsters. Gunn and fellow DC CEO Peter Safran revealed that the same actors will play more of the same roles on film and TV, so you don’t get the confusion of one guy playing the Flash on TV and someone else on the big screen. But they’ve also confirmed that there will still be room for different versions of certain characters, such as the already animated series played by Robert Pattinson’s The Batman and Joaquin Phoenix’s Joker.

Gunn, who is also known for his directing and writing work, laid out plans for the first chapter in a list that includes HBO Max movies and shows:

• Creature Commandos A seven-episode animated series written by Gunn.
• Waller The live-action adaptation of the HBO Max series Peacemaker (which in turn was based on the Suicide Squad films) stars Viola Davis as the head of a secret government task force.
• Superman: Legacy Written by Gunn will not feature Henry Cavill as a hero and it will not be an origin story. Instead, according to Safran, the film will focus on Superman “balancing his Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing.” Photo from artist Frank Kabisa and author Grant Morrison All-Star Superman comic story it was shown as Gunn talked about it.
• Lights HBO Max TV series following Green Lanterns Hal Jordan and John Stewart. This super-powered spaceman show takes inspiration from True Detective, and follows our heroes as they solve a mystery on Earth.
• Authority A film about an extreme superhero willing to use “any means necessary” to protect the planet. Ironically, The Authority started out as a parody of DC superheroes, including mock versions of Superman and Batman who were in a romantic relationship, but DC bought publisher Wildstorm and eventually incorporated the characters into DC comics continuity.
• Paradise Lost A series set on Wonder Woman’s island Themyscira, inspired by Game of Thrones.
• Brave and Brave The film will introduce the new Batman of the DCU and the most disgusting Robin: his son Damian Wayne, who was raised by assassins. Gunn cites Damian as his favorite Robin, and the film takes his cues Grant Morrison’s comics are running. The film’s Batman will not be played by Robert Pattinson, who portrayed the character in last year’s game. Batman.
• Booster Gold A series about a loser from the future who uses futuristic technology to return to the present day and win people’s love by becoming a hero. It’s a “fictional superhero story,” according to Gunn.
• Supergirl: The Woman of Tomorrow A movie about Superman’s cousin. It is a sci-fi story based on author Tom King’s 2022 comic series, and will focus on how Supergirl’s difficult childhood made her more powerful than Superman. It is not yet confirmed if Sasha Calle will star after playing Supergirl in the upcoming Flash movie.
• The swamp thing A horror movie that will complete the opening round of movies and episodes. Swamp Thing has appeared in live action before, in two ’80s movies, a ’90s TV show and a 2019 short-lived series.

Gunn did not mention any casting details for Superman or Batman for the new sequel.

Last October, Gunn and Safran took responsibility of bringing Superman, Batman and other DC Comics characters into new film, TV, animation and video game projects under the reorganized Warner Bros. division. Discovery.

The new film projects announced aren’t the only DC films on the horizon. Shazam: Wrath of the Gods out March 17, Combustion hits theaters on June 16 (and will reset the sequel), Blue Beetle arrives on August 18 and Aquaman and the Lost Empire is scheduled for December 25.

Besides these, there are two Batman-inspired movies with sequels in the works: 2019’s Joker and 2022 Batman. The second one will be called Batman Part II and will be separated from the story of The Brave and the Bold, and will come out on October 3, 2025, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Although last October Black Adam sought to establish Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson as the leading light of the DC universe — and brought in Cavill back like Superman — Johnson it won’t come back in DC’s first installment of the new movie with Cavill he does not repeat his role like Superman.

On the TV side, the HBO Max series Peacemaker — a sequel to the 2021 film Suicide Squad — will return for the second seasonThe ninth and final season of The Flash begins on February 9, the third season of Superman & Lois begins in March and Colin Farrell’s Penguin from The Batman is getting his own show. The animated series Harley Quinn was has been renewed for a 4th seasonand he gets it Valentine’s Day special.

However, the Titans and Doom Patrol will ended after their fourth season. Second episodes of both seasons are set to hit HBO Max later this year.

Gunn also has one more project from DC rival Marvel: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 — the 32nd Marvel Cinematic Universe movie — lands in theaters May 5.