DCU Chapter One: every upcoming DC movie and TV show plus known release dates
DCU Chapter One will officially begin with Creature Commandos in early December
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We don’t have much longer to wait for DCU Chapter One to begin. The first phase of James Gunn and Peter Safran’s rebooted DC Cinematic Universe (DCU) will officially start this December, with adult animated showCreature Commandosleading the charge beforeSupermanarrives next July. There’s never been a better time, then, to read up on all of thenew moviesandMaxTV series that’ll arrive between now and, well, whenever Chapter One – also known as Gods and Monsters – ends.
Below, we’ve rounded up the latest news and rumors on every DC Studios project that’s set to be released, is in active development, or has been announced. You’ll also find more details on some of theDCElseworlds productions that are currently in the works, including multiples entries in The Batman Epic Crime Saga. So, dive in!
DCU Chapter One: every movie and TV show
In January 2023,Gunn revealed the DCU Chapter One’s full line-up. In total, 11 projects – five movies and six TV shows – have been announced, but only five have officially been greenlit. Of that quintet, only three have confirmed release dates or launch windows, too.
Anyway, here’s the complete list of projects that Gunn revealed almost two years ago (NB:any projects with unknown release dates have been labeled ‘TBC’):
DC Chapter One movies
Superman
Release date:July 11, 2025Director:James GunnConfirmed cast:David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan, Nicholas Hoult, Nathan Fillion, Isabela Merced, Edi Gathegi, Anthony Carrigan, Maria Gabriela de Faría, Skyler Gisondo, Sara Sampaio, Pruitt Taylor Vince, and Neva Howell
The first DCU Chapter One film,Supermanhas been written and directed by Gunn. Principal photograpy began in late February and wrapped five months later. Read ourSupermanmovie guideto learn more about its cast of characters, likely plot and impact on the DCU.
Corenswet is the latest incumbent to wear the famous red cape, Brosnahan is playing Daily Planet reporter/perennial Supes love interest Lois Lane, and Hoult will portray infamous Superman villain Lex Luthor. Corrigan will also portray Metamorpho, Merced is Hawkgirl, Edi Gathegi plays Mister Terrific, and Fillion is Guy Gardner, one of Green Lantern’s many iterations.
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Gisondo has been hired as Clark’s long-standing photographer buddy Jimmy Olsen, de Faría will play The Engineer (a character we’ll see again inThe Authority), and Sampaio will play Eve Teschmacher, one of Luthor’s LexCorp allies. Lastly, Vince and Howell are playing Jonathan ‘Pa’ Kent and Martha Kent, Clark’s adoptive human parents.
Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow
Release date:June 26, 2026Director:Craig GillespieConfirmed cast:Milly Alcock
Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrowwill be the first solo big-screen outing for Superman’s cousin since the Helen Slater-starring 1984 movie. The character appeared inThe Flashand her self-titled CW show, though, so she won’t be completely ahem alien to audiences. Ana Nogeuira has written the script, while Gillespie is its director. PerThe Hollywood Reporter(THR), filming is slated to start this Fall (that’s autumn for non-US northern hemisphere readers and spring for those south of the equator), although industry insiderDanielRPKsuggests it’s now been delayed until January 2025.
Inspired by Tom King’s comic-book run of the same name, it’llarrive almost one year on from the release of Gunn’sSupermanfilm. Milly Alcock, who played a young Rhaenyra Targaryen inHouse of the Dragon, will star as the titular hero – Alcock being confirmed as Kara Zor-Eljust days after Gunn whittled down his Supergirl casting list to two stars(the other being DC voice actor Meg Donnelly in January).
On the rumored cast front, Krypto the Superdog is expected to make an appearance, whileDeadlineclaims Matthias Schoenaerts has been hired to play the movie’s unidentified villain. DC Studios hasn’t confirmed if this duo will show up, though.
The Brave and the Bold
Release date:TBCDirector:TBCCast:TBC
Based on Grant Morrison’s popular run of comic books,The Brave and the Bold’s movie adaptation – one ofTechRadar’s most anticipated DCU Chapter One projects– will see Bruce Wayne teaming up with his violent and narcissistic son Damian, a teen raised by assassins who goes on to become Bat-sidekick Robin.
Nobody’s been cast yet, butVarietyandDeadlineclaimThe Flash’s Andy Muschietti is being lined up to direct it. ADCEU Leaks Reddit threadsuggests John Logan (Gladiator,Skyfall) is in talks to pen the script. However, neither individual has been confirmed to be attached to the project so, until Gunn announces that they have (or haven’t), we’re none the wiser about their involvement.
The Authority
Release date:TBCDirector:TBCConfirmed cast:Maria Gabriela de Faría
DCU Chapter One will introduceThe Authority, a lesser known team of antiheroes who feel right up Gunn’s street. Based on Warren Ellis and Bryan Hitch’s comic series (released via DC’s Wildstorm imprint), it’ll focus on the eponymous group who are prepared to use any means necessary to save the day – a modus operandi rather likePeacemaker’s heavy-handed quest for peace.
“One of our strategies is that we take our diamond characters – Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman – and we use that to help prop up other characters that people don’t know,” Gunn said at a DCU launch party (viaTHR). “Like what happened with theGuardiansin some way… taking teams like The Authority, which I know is just a spectacular idea for a film that’s a completely different take on superheroes.”
De Faría should feature as The Engineer following her appearance inSuperman, but no-one else has been cast. A writer has been in place for “a long time”, though, according to Gunn (via theDCU Updates X fan account) and theDCEU Leaks X accountclaims Matthew Vaugh (Kick Ass,The Kingsman) is in talks to direct.
Swamp Thing
Release date:TBCDirector:TBCCast: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 will be written by James Mangold (Logan,Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny), who’ll reportedly take inspiration fromWatchmencreator Alan Moore’s legendary ’80s run on the comic. However, with Mangold also attached to Bob Dylan biopicA Complete Unknownand a standaloneStar Warsprequel film, it may be some time before this DCU Chapter One entry puts its head above water.
“The truth is, I’m writing both right now,” Mangold toldColliderat Star WarsCelebration 2023. “Who knows what’s going to happen and what’s going to blossom first or second? [But] I’m doingSwamp Thing, there’s your scoop. It’s not a rumor, it’s happening.”
DCU Chapter One TV shows
Creature Commandos
Release date:December 5, 2024Director:TBCConfirmed cast:Frank Grillo, Maria Bakalova, Indira Varma, Zoë Chao, Alan Tudyk, David Harbour, Sean Gunn, Viola Davis, Anya Chalotra, and Steve Agee
2025’sSupermanmay feel like the true start of the DCU, butCreature Commandos– penned and executively produced by James Gunn – will be the first DCU Chapter One project to actually arrive. The seven-part show’sDecember 5 release date on Max means it’ll go up against two big Disney Plus rivalsbut, before it does, read more about it in ourCreature Commandoshub.
The antihero/villainous ensemble is led by Rick Flag Sr. (father ofThe Suicide Squad’s Rick Jr.) who commands a ragtag assortment of humans and monsters who, according to the series' logline, are “recruited for missions deemed too dangerous for humans. When all else fails…they’re your last, worst option”.
Joining Grillo on the voice cast roster are Bakalova as Princess Ilana, Chalotra as Circe, Chao as Nina Mazursky, Sean Gunn as GI Robot and Weasel, Harbour as Frankenstein, Tudyk as Dr. Phosphorus, Varma as The Bride, and Davis as Amanda Waller. According to James Gunn (perThe Hollywood Reporter), some of these characters (and the actors who play them) will make the jump to live-action projects – and vice versa – throughout DCU Chapter One.
Peacemaker season 2
Release date:expected 2025Director:James GunnConfirmed cast:John Cena, Frank Grillo, Freddie Stroma, and Tim Meadows
Although it existed as a TV spin-off ofThe Suicide Squadin theDCEU, Gunn is making a second season ofPeacemaker, which will also sit under the DCU banner. It’s the second project Gunn will work on afterSuperman– one that’ll also follow the events of that movie (per Gunn onThreads) and it’ll also arrive sometime next year (again, via Gunn onThreads).
As Gunn revealed in yet anotherThreadspost, filming is already underway. Three other directors will also helm episodes alongside Gunn (again, viaThreads).
It’s unclear which other Team Peacemaker characters might make the leap to the DCU, but Gunn has confirmed Stroma will return as Vigilante and welcomed Tim Meadows on board as ARGUS agent Langston Fleury. Grillo will also reprise his role as Rick Flag Sr. fromCreature Commandos– aPeacemakerseason 2 cast reveal that we think will make it harder to follow the DCU. According toThe Wrap, Sol Rodríguez and David Denman have also boarded the project. Rodríguez will reportedly play someone named Sasha Bordeaux, but Denman’s role hasn’t been disclosed.
Waller
Release date:TBCDirector:TBCConfirmed cast:Viola Davis
Viola Davis, who played Amanda Waller in various DCEU projects, has been kept on as the character in the DCU. Gunn will tackle Amanda Waller’s standalone series afterPeacemakerseason 2 (perThreads) and, like its fellow DCEU survivor, there’ll be some muddy crossover betweenWallerandPeacemakerseason 1.
Regardless, following her voicing the same morally complex individual inCreature Commandos, Davis will headline this live-actionPeacemakerspin-off on Max, aka one of the world’sbest streaming services. Taking toThreads, Gunn also confirmed events inPeacemakerseason 2 will directly lead intoWaller. Christal Henry (Watchmen) and Jeremy Carver (Doom Patrol) have reportedly written its scripts (perDeadline).
Lanterns
Release date:TBCDirector:TBCConfirmed cast:Nathan Fillion
2011’s much-derided Ryan Reynolds-starringGreen Lanternmay have killed a franchise before it even started. But, over a decade later, DC will revive another of its beloved superheroes on the small screen after it wasofficially greenlit in late June. According to superhero fansiteNexus Point News, filming could start in early 2025.
“Our vision for this isTrue Detective,” Safran told reporters at the DCU’s press unveiling in January 2023. “It’s terrestrial-based and it’s got two of our favorite Green Lanterns, Hal Jordan and John Stewart. It plays a really big role in the main story that we’re telling across our film and television. This is a very important show for us”. A recent image, posted onThreadsby Gunn, teases the possibility that it’ll pull from the ‘War of the Green Lanterns’ comic series.
Little is known about who’ll play the show’s two lead Green Lanterns – those being Hal Jordan and John Stewart, rather than Fillion’s Guy Gardner, who’s expected to play a supporting role. However,THRclaims Kyle Chandler has boarded the project as Jordan and, in an official capacity,Lanterns' creative team has also been revealed, with one particular addition being a perfect fitfor its crime thriller tendencies.
Paradise Lost
Release date:TBCDirector:TBCCast:TBC
Lanternsisn’t the only DCU Chapter One release taking its cues from one of thebest Max shows, becauseParadise Lostwill go back to Wonder Woman’s island home for some political in-fighting. “It’s going to be aGame of Thrones-ish story about Themyscira, the home of the Amazons and the birthplace of Wonder Woman,” Safran previous teased. “This drama is really about the political intrigue behind this society of all women”.Nexus Point Newssuggests its found its writers, too, with Kira Snyder and Janet Lin tapped to pen its scripts.
WithWonder Woman3dead in the water,Paradise Lostseems like an intriguing way to keep Themyscira (aka Paradise Island) and the Amazonian superhero alive. Don’t be surprised if the new show is used as a back door to introduce a new version of Wonder Woman, with one of DC’s traditional superstar trinity – alongside Batman and Superman – likely to appear at some stage.
Booster Gold
Release date:TBCDirector:TBCCast:TBC
If your first thought was “…who???” when you saw this DCU Chapter One project, 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 lesser known comic book appealed to his sensibilities.
For the uninitiated: it’s the story of a guy – read: loser – from the future who comes back in time to the present and uses basic future tech to convince everyone he’s a superhero. Or, as Gunn put it: “It’s the superhero story of imposter syndrome”.
Like many DCU Chapter One projects, there are very few details about it. Industry insider Daniel RPK (perDCU Film News) suggests a showrunner and Carter casting are inbound soon, whileNexus Point Newsclaims Kumail Nanjiani has been cast as the titular character.
DC Elseworlds: The Batman sequel and beyond
Non-DCEU releases, includingThe BatmanandJoker, have been among Warner Bros’ biggest box-office hits recently, so it’s a smart move that their sequels and spin-offs won’t be shoehorned into the DCU. Instead, they’re releasing under the Elseworlds banner, a nod to a DC Comics imprint of the same name.
However, Gunn has said DC Studios won’t go overboard on stories that exist outside their main universe’s continuity. “The bar for Elseworlds tales is going to have to be higher than the bar for something within the DCU,” he said (perCollider). “Not that we’re not always going to have a high bar, but it’s got to be something really special for us to tell that story outside of our regular continuity, and to spend the money on it to make it.”
Apart fromThe Penguin, which arrived in mid-September (read ourreview ofThe Penguinwhile you’re here), these are the only other two confirmed Elseworlds projects that are in development:
Joker: Folie à Deux
Release date:October 4, 2024Director:Todd PhillipsConfirmed cast:Joaquin Phoenix, Lady Gaga, Zazie Beetz, Brendan Gleeson, Catherine Keener, Jacob Lofland, and Harry Lawtey
The sequel to 2019 monster hitJokerwill arrive in theaters this October. Like its predecessor, it’ll star Phoenix as Arthur Fleck, while Lady Gaga will portray Doctor Harleen ‘Lee’ Quinzel, who goes onto become Joker’s on-off love interest and another iconic Batman villain in Harley Quinn.
However, based onJoker 2’s first trailer, Gaga’s Quinzel won’t be Fleck’s psychologist who falls madly in love with him. Instead, she’ll be a fellow inmate of his at Arkham Asylum. For more details on the secrets housed within its first teaser, read ourJoker: Folie à Deuxtrailer breakdownarticle. Then, watch the official trailer above and learn more about the film’s story synopsis, which reads as follows: “Joker: Folie À Deuxfinds Fleck institutionalized at Arkham awaiting trial for his crimes as Joker. While struggling with his dual identity, Arthur not only stumbles upon true love, but also finds the music that’s always been inside him.”
The Batman – Part II
Release date:October 2, 2026Director:Matt ReevesConfirmed cast:Robert Pattinson
The follow-up to 2022’s critically-acclaimed detective noir take on the Caped Crusader, this flick was supposed to arrive in October 2025. However,The Batman Part 2’s release was delayed by a full year(thanks to the 2023 Hollywood strikes) in March. Andy Serkis, who plays Alfred Pennyworth in The Batman Epic Crime Saga, suggests filming will start in early 2025 (viaPopVerse). And, with the script, penned by Matt Reeves and Mattson Tomlin, finished as of September (perEntertainment Weekly), that start date isn’t out of the question.
Reeves is slated to direct again, while Pattinson will reprise his role as Gotham’s protector-in-chief. As for who else could appear, Pattinson and Reeves have been open about the characters they’d like to introduce. Indeed, the pair have rattled off a variety of iconic Batman individuals/villainous groups sinceThe Batman’s release, including Robin, Mr. Freeze, Hush, Calendar Man, and the Court of Owls. Barry Keoghan has also seemingly teased he’ll be back as Joker in the sequel (perETalk). Depending on howThe Penguin, which bridges the gap between The Batman Epic Crime Saga’s first two movies, ends, Colin Farrell could return as Oswald Cobb, too.
Other Elseworlds projects
There are other DC Elseworlds movies that are rumored to be in development.
Taking toThreadsin January, Gunn confirmed that J.J Abrams and Ta-Nehisi Coates' Superman film, which has been in development for years, is still in the works. A March 2024 article fromTHRalso suggests that a live-actionTeen Titansflick is coming fromSupergirl: Woman of Tomorrowscribe Ana Nogueira. Lastly,Deadlinereports that an animatedBlue Beetleseries is also on the way. Unless Gunn confirms that this trio is in the works, though, they won’t get their own entries in this guide for some time, if at all.
For more DC-based coverage, read our guides onhow to watch the DC movies in order,how to watch theBatmanmovies in order, and thebest Batman movies. Alternatively, find out which DC films made it onto ourbest Max movieslist.
As TechRadar’s senior entertainment reporter, Tom covers all of the latest movies, TV shows, and streaming service news that you need to know about. You’ll regularly find him writing about the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Star Wars, Netflix, Prime Video, Disney Plus, and many other topics of interest.
An NCTJ-accredited journalist, Tom also writes reviews, analytical articles, opinion pieces, and interview-led features on the biggest franchises, actors, directors and other industry leaders. You may see his quotes pop up in the odd official Marvel Studios video, too, such as thisMoon Knight TV spot.
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