Following the unceremonious ending of 2023’s The Flash, which resulted in the immediate reconstruction of the timeline (now incorporating Joel Schumaker’s Batman and Robin), Warner Bros. threw the ever-confusing DCEU franchise out and soon replaced it with the new DCU. Kicking off with “Chapter One: Gods and Monsters,” seemingly taking inspiration from Marvel Studios’ phase structure within the MCU, the DCU is an ambitious attempt by James Gunn and Peter Safran to create an interconnected franchise, weaving together films, shows, video games, and animation. The universe comes from the newly formed DC Studios, a division of Warner Bros. Discovery dedicated to adapting DC Comics.
DC Studios is also adamant on continuing projects that fit outside of its main universe under the Elseworlds banner. This bold decision may prove to be a bit confusing for general audiences (particularly with the prospect of two different actors playing Batman concurrently on screen). However, these kinds of creative swings could prove appealing to the type of top-level talent DC Studios is interested in courting, who may not want to adhere strictly to continuity.
Every Upcoming Movie in the New DCU Franchise
James Gunn himself is taking a hands-on approach as a writer to developing out the canon, with Creature Commandos and Peacemaker Season 2 continuing plot threads on television that started in 2021’s The Suicide Squad. While Gunn has casually stated that certain elements about The Suicide Squad, Peacemaker Season 1, and even Blue Beetle (2023) are still canon, all eyes are to the sky for the DCU’s proper launch with this summer’s Superman.
If you’re a DC fan looking forward to the future of these characters on film, then DiscussingFilm has got you covered with an updated guide of every upcoming big-screen installment in the DCU. DC Studios co-CEOs James Gunn and Peter Safran consistently share news on the franchise’s progress, and this list will be frequently updated with every crucial detail as they get revealed. Readers should take note that this guide is listed in the DCU’s (currently) planned order of theatrical release dates.
1. Superman (July 11, 2025)
Release Date: July 11, 2025.
Directed by James Gunn.
Written by James Gunn.
Produced by James Gunn & Peter Safran.
Main Cast: David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan, Nicholas Hoult, Edi Gathegi, Anthony Carrigan, Nathan Fillion, Isabela Merced, Wendell Pierce, Skyler Gisondo, Beck Bennett, Mikaela Hoover, Christopher McDonald, Sara Sampaio, & Terence Rosemore.
Cinematographer: Henry Braham.
Composers: John Murphy & David Fleming.
The Definitive Superhero
Everyone has their favorite, and every character is someone’s favorite, but when you think “superhero,” you probably have a picture of Superman in your head. Even if you don’t realize it, the cape, the bright costume, the trunks, and the crested initial on his chest have remained the defining image of a superhero for going on 87 years now. It’s unfortunate, then, that the iconic face of DC Comics has fallen to the wayside in the last decade or so.
The prevailing view is that Superman lacks flaws, rendering him a dull or one-dimensional protagonist. Other projects have tried to play on this idea. Stories like The Boys, Invincible, and even Man of Steel (2013) and Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016) focused on a more grounded view of how the general public would perceive a god-like being with nearly unchecked power.
James Gunn’s Fresh Take on Superman
James Gunn’s take on the character doesn’t seem to stray from this discussion, with the plot dealing with the fallout of Superman’s involvement in foreign affairs without governmental approval. Unlike other modern depictions of Superman (or Superman-like figures), the 2025 adaptation aims to lean into his brighter, more optimistic side. This immediately contrasts it with the dour and grounded nature of the modern superhero landscape. Gunn was offered a Superman project in 2018 but declined, not quite having a realizable vision at the time and opting to instead proceed with The Suicide Squad. Years later, with a new actor (David Corenswet of 2022’s Pearl), new suit, and a new universe in tow, the vision is much clearer.
The All-Star Cast of James Gunn’s Superman
David Corenswet’s Clark Kent is joined at the Daily Planet by a gang of supporting civilian characters, another element that’s been largely downplayed in recent superhero fare. Most importantly, we have Rachel Brosnahan’s Lois Lane, Skyler Gisondo’s Jimmy Olsen, Mikaela Hoover’s Cat Grant, Beck Bennett‘s Steve Lombard, and Wendell Pierce’s Perry White. On the flipside, Superman has his own “coworkers” to deal with, including fellow superheroes Mister Terrific (Edi Gathegi), Guy Gardner a.k.a Green Lantern (Nathan Fillion), Hawkgirl (Isabella Merced), and Metamorpho (Anthony Carrigan).
A Superman story wouldn’t be much without a villain, and you can’t talk Superman’s rogues gallery without talking Lex Luthor. The fuming, shiny-headed billionaire is played by Nicholas Hoult (Nosferatu, The Great), who had tried for the role of Superman himself and was recently quoted as having been especially impressed by Corenswet after spotting him during the audition process.
Which DC Comics are Inspiring Superman?
Building further upon the classic vibe of this project, Superman (2025) is strongly centered around the romance between Daily Planet reporter Lois Lane and our lead.. With romantic subplots being handwaved or outright cut from a plethora of modern blockbusters, the DC film’s focus on love feels almost like a mission statement. Additionally, James Gunn has been vocal about his comic book inspirations, citing Mark Waid and Alex Ross’s Kingdom Come, Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely’s All-Star Superman, and Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale’s Superman for All Seasons.
2. Supergirl (June 26, 2026)
Release Date: June 26, 2026.
Directed by Craig Gillespie.
Screenplay by Ana Nogueira.
Based on Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow by Tom King & Bilquis Evely.
Produced by James Gunn & Peter Safran.
Main Cast: Milly Alcock, Eve Ridley, Jason Momoa, Matthias Schoenaerts, David Krumholtz, & Emily Beecham.
Cinematographer: Rob Hardy.
Why is Supergirl Important to the DC Universe?
The Kryptonian spotlight introduced in Superman will carry over into DC’s next silver-screen offering with Supergirl. Kara Zor-El, also known as Supergirl, is the cousin of Clark Kent and a worthy hero in her own right.
A mainstay in the Superman canon since her introduction in the ’50s, this isn’t the first time Supergirl will have appeared in live-action. Helen Slater starred in an ill-fated film adaptation in 1984, acting as a spin-off from Christopher Reeve‘s Superman franchise. She would be portrayed by Laura Vandervoort in Smallville’s later seasons, as well as by Melissa Benoist in the six seasons that the CW’s Supergirl show ran for. Most recently, she was featured in The Flash, the aforementioned final entry in the DCEU, played by Sasha Calle.
The DCU Will Have Modern Inspirations for Supergirl
After years of development, the new solo film finally got movement following its announcement as part of the initial “Gods and Monsters” slate. The project was initially titled Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, a name shared with the Tom King and Bilquis Evely comic series, from which the plot has taken direct inspiration. It was later reported that writer Ana Nogueira would be penning the screenplay, followed by Millie Alcock’s (HBO’s House of the Dragon) casting and director Craig Gillespie (Dumb Money, I, Tonya) taking the helm.
Supergirl is said to introduce the titular Kryptonian as she’s celebrating her birthday in space, soon getting dragged into a young girl’s (Eve Ridley) revenge plot against a murdering space pirate (Matthias Schoenaerts). The Woman of Tomorrow comic serves as an accessible entry point to the character for new readers, featuring flashbacks of Kara’s long-dead parents (played by David Krumholtz and Emily Beecham in the DC film). Krypto, the super-powered dog that features heavily in the marketing for Superman, plays a large role in the story and is confirmed to appear, too.
The DCU movie adaptation’s first huge departure from the comic came with the announcement that former Aquaman actor Jason Momoa would be taking on the role of Lobo. The famed DC villain doesn’t appear in the actual comic series, but writer Tom King recently revealed that Lobo had been part of the original pitch for the book. Supergirl debuts in theaters next summer on June 26, 2026.
3. Clayface (September 11, 2026)
Release Date: September 11, 2026.
Directed by James Watkins.
Written by Mike Flanagan & Hossein Amini.
Produced by James Gunn, Peter Safran, Matt Reeves, & Lynn Harris.
Main Cast: Tom Rhys Harries.
The DCU’s Wildcard
Reports of various new projects began to surface in late 2024, nearly two years after the original “Gods and Monsters” slate reveal in January 2023. James Gunn’s previous work tended to shine the spotlight on obscure comic characters, and as one of the DCU’s creative directors, it seemed like a fair bet that those DC adaptations would get a shot. Clayface fits this standard as a fan-favorite Batman villain that’s never actually made a film appearance and has only been used sparingly in television shows.
The Clayface movie was first assumed to be part of Matt Reeves’s standalone Batman universe, existing in a similar vein to HBO’s The Penguin. At the time, the sequel to The Batman (2022) was also rumored to feature the villain. Clayface was greenlit in December of 2024, with filmmaker Mike Falangan (Midnight Mass, The Fall of the House of Usher) penning the script. The beloved writer-director had spent years expressing public interest in the monstrous Batman rogue. Later, director James Watkins (2024’s Speak No Evil) was brought on board, along with writer Hossein Amini, to work on a new draft of the script.
Clayface made a surprise cameo in the Creature Commandos animated series, voiced by Gunn mainstay Alan Tudyk, and will be played by actor Tom Rhys Harries (Netflix’s White Lies, Apple TV’s Suspicion) in live-action. The DC film has been compared to David Cronenberg’s 1986 horror classic, The Fly, and is set to hit theaters on September 11, 2026.
4. The Batman Part II (October 1, 2027)
Release Date: October 1, 2027.
Directed by Matt Reeves.
Written by Matt Reeves & Mattson Tomlin.
Produced by Dylan Clark.
Executive Producers: James Gunn & Peter Safran.
Main Cast: Robert Pattinson, Andy Serkis, Jeffrey Wright, & Colin Farrell.
Who Will Return for The Batman Sequel?
The Batman Part II is currently in production, with director Matt Reeves having completed the script alongside writer Mattson Tomlin in June 2025. Alongside Robert Pattinson‘s Bruce Wayne, Alfred Pennyworth (Andy Serkis), Jim Gordon (Jeffrey Wright), and The Penguin (Colin Farrell) have all been confirmed to return in some capacity. There hasn’t been any official word on who the villain will be for the sequel, but the story will pick up where The Penguin left off, with Farrell’s conniving protagonist having risen to the position of a crime lord in Gotham City.
The HBO spin-off series teased a reunion between half-sisters Selina Kyle (Zoë Kravitz) and Sofia Gigante (Cristin Milioti), as well. Yet, it’s too early to assume that plotline will bear fruit in this sequel or another project. With concrete details sparse, fans can only wait with bated breath for more solid updates on The Batman Part II. The road leading up to its current release date of October 1, 2027 is just getting started.
5. The Authority (TBD)
Release Date: TBD.
Directed by TBD.
Written by TBD.
Produced by James Gunn & Peter Safran.
Main Cast: TBA.
Who are The Authority?
The Authority, with its murderous and morally complicated superhumans, feels particularly foundational in the current age of dark takes on classic heroes. With the increasing popularity of shows like The Boys and Invincible, and the focus on groups like the Suicide Squad, a big-screen adventure featuring the titular team could potentially be right on the pulse of the developing superhero metanarrative.
Comics books on The Authority have had a particular impact through their introduction of characters like Midnighter and Apollo, one of DC’s premier gay couples and a duo that has since gone on to achieve solo stardom. No movement on this DC movie adaptation has been made public since its announcement as part of “Gods and Monsters.” However, James Gunn has stated that it will tie into Superman, with Authority member The Engineer being portrayed by actress María Gabriela de Faría Chacón in the DCU film.
6. Batman: The Brave and the Bold (TBD)
Release Date: TBD.
Directed by Andy Muschietti.
Written by TBA.
Produced by James Gunn & Peter Safran.
Main Cast: TBA.
How Does this Relate to Robert Pattinson’s Batman?
In an established DC Universe, one where villains like Clayface and Doctor Phosphorous are running amok, it’s no surprise that Batman would have to pop up eventually. DC Studios seems intent on keeping Matt Reeves’s Batman series separate from the main DCU, meaning that a new actor will likely be taking on the role while Robert Pattinson’s interpretation exists in his own universe.
Another part of the original “Gods and Monsters” slate, The Brave and The Bold takes its name from a pre-Silver Age DC anthology series, the title eventually evolving into a Batman team-up book. This separate interpretation will feature Damian Wayne, the fifth Robin and Bruce’s biological son. It’s also said to be based on writer Grant Morrison’s run on Batman, where they co-created Damian alongside artist Andy Kubert.
The DCU’s Batman made a cameo appearance in an episode of Creature Commandos, but the character had no lines and no actors have been mentioned for the role yet. The Flash director Andy Muschietti is attached to the project, and an unannounced writer is currently working on the script.
7. Swamp Thing (TBD)
Release Date: TBD.
Directed by James Mangold.
Written by TBD.
Produced by James Gunn & Peter Safran.
Main Cast: TBA.
The Dark Side of the DCU
Another of DC’s cult characters, Swamp Thing makes sense as a way to tie into DC’s magic corner, something that Warner Bros had long been trying to realize in live action. Most recently, the character had been a part of Guillermo del Toro’s unrealized Justice League Dark project, as well as likely featuring in JJ Abrams’ plans for the same team.
Swamp Thing has starred in films before, with horror icon Wes Craven directing the 1982 film, which starred Ray Wise and Dick Durock, the latter reprising the role in the 1989 sequel and the three-season-long television series. Most recently, the character featured in a short-lived 2019 solo series as part of the DC Universe streaming service, where Andy Bean and Derek Mears portrayed him.
Director James Mangold is attached to the project and is reportedly working on the script. The film was described as an origin for the character, making it likely that it will pull inspiration from Alan Moore, Stephen Bissette, and John Totleben’s seminal run.
8. Teen Titans
Release Date: TBD.
Directed by TBD.
Written by Ana Nogueira.
Produced by James Gunn & Peter Safran.
Main Cast: TBA.
Robin’s Team… But Which Robin?
Another group of characters that DC has long been circling, Teen Titans was announced following the initial DCU slate. Supergirl writer Ana Nogueira is attached to the project, yet no director has been announced. It’s unclear whether Damian Wayne’s starring role in The Brave and the Bold implies that he’ll be on this team, though the character did shortly feature during J.T. Krul and Nicola Scott’s Teen Titans run. He also led the group prominently during the DC Rebirth relaunch of the team from initial creatives Benjamin Percy and Jonboy Meyers.
Gunn’s statement that The Brave and the Bold would be the first introduction of the Batfamily also suggests that the Robins preceding Damian would already be established, with Dick Grayson and Tim Drake both far more prominent members of the group.
The Teen Titans have mainly featured in animation, with the fan-favorite 2003 series running for five seasons. Its sequel series, Teen Titans Go!, premiered its ninth season this March. While not a Teen Titans show itself, 2010’s Young Justice featured many of the team’s characters, having received a third and fourth season after its 2019 revival. DC Universe’s Titans show adapted various of these heroes in live action for the first time, receiving four seasons.
9. Sgt. Rock
Release Date: TBD.
Directed by Luca Guadagnino.
Written by Justin Kuritzkes.
Produced by James Gunn & Peter Safran.
Main Cast: Colin Farrell & Mike Faist.
The DCU’s Past
A surprising addition to the roster, Sgt. Rock quickly had esteemed writer Justin Kuritzkes and director Luca Guadagnino (Challengers, Bones and All) both attached. The DCU movie came together during their collaboration on Queer, with star Daniel Craig in talks to play Sergeant Rock. Craig passed on the role, which then went to Colin Farrell. Despite the production being ready to commence in 2025, filming has been pushed off and was initially stated to be outright canceled. However, the current word is that it could potentially come together again in 2026.
Oscar-winner Mikey Madison and Taylor Russell were approached for roles in Sgt. Rock, as well as Mike Faist, who was rumored to be attached. The war movie is supposed to center on Sergeant Rock’s Easy Company, which would team up with the French Resistance to defeat the Nazis in a race for the legendary Spear of Destiny during WWII. The DCU’s Sgt. Rock and the Easy Company appeared in Creature Commandos, voiced by Maury Sterling. They were featured during the World War II flashbacks for G.I. Robot, though it’s unclear whether he would have been a part of the DC film.
Action star Arnold Schwarzenegger had been attached to play the character in the ’90s. Later, actor Bruce Willis and director Guy Ritchie were considering an adaptation in 2007. Two years later, director Francis Lawrence and writer Chad St. John were attached to the project, with producer Joel Silver stating that the film would be set in the future, rather than during World War II.
10. Other Projects
The sequel to 2005’s Constantine, starring Keanu Reeves, started moving shortly before the launch of DC Studios. The project is one of the few to carry over into the new slate, with the script being completed as of 2025. In May 2025, Lucifer actor Peter Stromare stated that there had been some tension with Reeves, who wants the sequel to carry over the grounded nature of its predecessor.
Gunn has also announced Dynamic Duo, an animated film starring Jason Todd and Dick Grayson, set to release in 2028. The style, produced by Swaybox Studios, is described as a blend of puppetry, CG animation, and stop-motion techniques. Writer Matthew Aldrich and director Arthur Mintz are attached to the project. It’s unclear which continuity this story will take place in.
Other DCU projects, such as Wonder Woman and a film featuring Bane and Deathstroke, have been announced, but details about both are sparse.
