Murphy's Multiverse

Tag: dc studios

  • DC Studios Jimmy Olsen Spin-Off Title Leaks Online

    DC Studios Jimmy Olsen Spin-Off Title Leaks Online

    According to a fresh update via a new Writers Guild of America (WGA) production registry leak has seemingly unmasked the official final title for James Gunn‘s Superman mockumentary spin-off series: American Villain.

    The project, which initially made waves under the since-debunked rumored title DC Crime, is moving forward aggressively at HBO, bringing a meta, comedic lens to the grounded underworld of Metropolis.

    When news of a Daily Planet-centric true-crime anthology series first leaked, fans were rightly thrilled to see American Vandal creators Tony Yacenda and Dan Perrault tapped as the showrunners. Titling the show American Villain is a direct nod to Yacenda and Perrault’s highly-praised Netflix series. It signals to the audience exactly what the tone is: a highly serialized, deadpan, high-production true-crime parody set within a world where super-crime is a daily reality.

    Gunn famously went to bat on social media last year to state that the project had “never been titled DC Crime, even as a working title.” Perrault recently doubled down, teasing that they were actively “tossing around some names” that avoided standard superhero naming conventions. The WGA filing indicates they finally pulled the trigger.

    Skyler Gisondo will fully anchor the series, reprising his breakout role as The Daily Planet’s resident photojournalist, Jimmy Olsen. Season 1 is locked to focus entirely on Gorilla Grodd, the hyper-intelligent, telepathic ape traditionally associated with The Flash’s rogues gallery and a member of the Legion of Doom

    With writing teams actively logging work under the American Villain banner, the series is moving steadily through with a 2027 release looking increasingly likely.

  • ‘Paradise Lost’ Cancellation Rumors Entirely Debunked; WGA Registry Confirms Top-Tier Scribes Attached to DCU Project

    Put the doom-posting to rest. Despite persistent internet rumors claiming James Gunn had quietly swept the Wonder Woman prequel series under the corporate rug, official Writers Guild of America (WGA) listings have confirmed that Paradise Lost is in active, high-priority development with an exceptional writing duo locked in.

    The guild registry now formally links Kira Snyder and Janet Lin to the HBO Max series. Snyder is a phenomenal pull for a show billed as a gritty, manipulative look at an all-female society, bringing serious prestige pedigree from her acclaimed work on The Handmaid’s Tale and The 100. Lin perfectly balances the equation, carrying an elite history of handling complex ensemble dynamics on Bridgerton mixed with traditional genre experience from The Flash.

    It’s an origin story of how this society of women came about. What does it mean? What are their politics like? What are their rules? Who’s in charge? What are the games that they play with each other to get to the top? I think it’s really exciting.

    -James Gunn

    Gunn has previously teased that this prequel series will lean into the complex, darker structural realities of a mythological society. The historical foundation of the show is expected to treat the Amazons not as flawless superheroes, but as a complex political faction and reveal the “beautiful and ugly truths” behind it all.

    Gunn recently said that the project was in “extreme development” and a WGA registry lock means the corporate wheels are actively turning behind the scenes. By hiring writers who specialize in ruthless institutional power struggles and elite character drama, DC Studios is making sure Paradise Lost delivers the exact “political intrigue” tone they promised.

  • Set Pics Reveal Lex’s Warsuit in Action as James Gunn Reveals Time Jump in ‘Man of Tomorrow’

    Set Pics Reveal Lex’s Warsuit in Action as James Gunn Reveals Time Jump in ‘Man of Tomorrow’

    Rather than let the first look at Lex Luthor’s practical effects Warsuit come via blurry set photos, Man of Tomorrow director James Gunn took to social media earlier this week to share the iconic purple and green battle suit with fans. Now, as principal photography for the project continues in Atlanta, fans have captured Nicholas Hoult, and a stunt double, on set in the monstrous suit preparing to go to battle with David Coresnwet‘s Superman.

    The final video shows Gunn directing Corenswet, who is sporting a suit that is “not the exact same” as the one he wore in Superman, on how to reign blows down upon Luthor.

    While responding to fans on Threads, Gunn revealed that Man of Tomorrow will take place 2 years after the events of Superman, saying the time between the two is “basically real time.”

  • ‘Man of Tomorrow’ BTS Photo Reveals Lex Luthor’s Live-Action Warsuit

    ‘Man of Tomorrow’ BTS Photo Reveals Lex Luthor’s Live-Action Warsuit

    Production on Man of Tomorrow is underway in Georgia and as the crew works on bringing parts of Metropolis to life, James Gunn has taken to social media to reveal the first look at Lex Luthor’s iconic Warsuit.

    Interestingly, the Warsuit comes emblazoned with an A.R.G.U.S. logo on the chest!

    Gunn has confirmed that Man of Tomorrow will feature Luthor begrudgingly teaming up with Superman to deal with the threat of Brainiac, though the two certainly won’t become best friends right away.

    Man of Tomorrow is scheduled to hit theaters on July 9, 2027.

  • The Monsters Return —James Gunn Reveals Release Window for ‘Creature Commands’ Season 2

    The Monsters Return —James Gunn Reveals Release Window for ‘Creature Commands’ Season 2

    The animated corner of the DCU is locking in its future. In a fresh update, DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn has officially confirmed that Creature Commandos Season 2 will serve as the immediate next project to release following his highly anticipated theatrical film, Man of Tomorrow, in 2027.

    While fans initially expected a quicker turnaround for the black-ops monster squad, the 2027 window establishes a highly specific roadmap for Chapter 1: Gods and Monsters as it transitions into its next phase.

    Gunn has been active on social media dropping updates from the set of Man of Tomorrow, confirming that DC’s animation slate is moving forward aggressively. Season 2 of Creature Commandos is being positioned exactly how Season 1 was—acting as the narrative bridge. Where Season 1 launched the DCU before the first Superman film, Season 2 will drop “shortly after” Man of Tomorrow to deal with the cosmic and political fallout of that movie. Interestingly, Gunn previously confirmed that he did not write the scripts for Season 2 due to his intense directorial duties on Man of Tomorrow, handing the creative reins over to a trusted room of writers to keep the fast-tracked production moving.

    Showrunner Dean Lorey has already teased what fans can expect from the return of Task Force M.

    • More G.I. Robot: Lorey explicitly stated that the team lineup from the Season 1 finale will remain “at least somewhat accurate,” but promised that his primary goal for the sophomore outing was to deliver a “beefed-up G.I. Robot” arc.
    • The Salvation Run Theory: Following Peacemaker Season 2, fans are already speculating that Season 2 could adapt elements of the Salvation Run comic storyline, featuring Rick Flag Sr. (Frank Grillo) and the Commandos hunting down rogue metahumans to exile them to a prison planet.

    Creature Commandos won’t be lonely in 2027. Gunn hinted that more television projects are coming that year, with the animated Mister Miracle series (adapting Tom King’s run) and Blue Beetle‘s animated continuation tracking closely behind.

    Hype for Creature Commandos has remained high because it proves Gunn‘s commitment to treating animation as an equal pillar to live-action. By scheduling Season 2 to immediately follow Man of Tomorrow, DC Studios is ensuring that the overarching narrative of the DCU remains fluid across mediums. The monsters aren’t just filler; they are the connective tissue of this universe.

  • ‘Lanterns’ Reportedly Recruits Christopher Cantwell to Map Out Season 2 Ahead of Premiere

    ‘Lanterns’ Reportedly Recruits Christopher Cantwell to Map Out Season 2 Ahead of Premiere

    DC Studios and HBO aren’t just confident in Lanterns—they are already building the future. Industry insider Jeff “The In” Sneider has revealed that Christopher Cantwell has officially signed on as an executive producer and writer for the high-prestige Green Lantern series.

    Even though the series hasn’t formally debuted its first season yet, the creative team is reportedly heading back into the writer’s room immediately to pen scripts for Season 2. Bringing Cantwell into a brain trust that already features Damon Lindelof and Tom King is a massive statement of intent. Cantwell has spent years proving he can juggle complex, character-driven television (Halt and Catch Fire) while simultaneously understanding the intricate lore of major comic book universes.

    According to Sneider, “HBO took the opportunity to bring in an experienced TV veteran, and Cantwell was the perfect fit, as it just so happens that he’s a prolific comic book writer. Cantwell has worked on such titles as Iron Man, Captain America, Doctor Doom, Gold Goblin, The Mask, and Star Wars: Obi-Wan.”

    As Sneider explains, Cantwell‘s addition to the creative team of the HBO Max series comes without a second season having been officially given the GREEN light.

    Cantwell is coming aboard now because the writer’s room for Lanterns will soon be reconvening despite the lack of official renewal. TV networks often want to have scripts ready so they can start production faster if a show is picked up for a second season, which again, feels somewhat inevitable here — the pending Paramount merger notwithstanding.

    This proactive writing cycle is designed to entirely bypass the lengthy multi-year gaps that routinely plague premium HBO dramas. By locking down scripts now, James Gunn and Peter Safran are ensuring that once the pending Paramount/WB corporate merger clears, the production pipeline for the cosmic side of the DCU remains completely uninterrupted.

    Per WBD, The series follows new recruit John Stewart (Aaron Pierre) and Lantern legend Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler), two intergalactic cops drawn into a dark, earth-based mystery as they investigate a murder in the American heartland.

  • ‘Lanterns’ to Reshape DCU Timeline; Sinestro’s Role Revealed

    The DCU timeline is getting a lot more complicated—and a lot more interesting. In a surprising reveal via EW, showrunner Chris Mundy (Ozark) has confirmed that the upcoming HBO series Lanterns is a period piece, officially set in the year 2016…and also in 2026.

    According to Mundy, the show opens with veteran Green Lantern Hal Jordan and Lantern-in-training John Stewart investigating a murder in Rushville, Nebraska set in 2016. However, it’s also partially set in 2026, after the events of Superman, where a second–and seemingly connected mystery–needs investigation.

    “That becomes a second mystery that we know is down the road for us,” Mundy revealed. “So eventually two different mysteries get worked out over the course of the show.”

    Mundy confirmed a controversial detail: outside of a few appearances by the “fabulously obnoxious” Guy Gardner, no other Earth-based Green Lanterns will appear in the eight-episode first season. In 2016, Hal and John are the only two humans to have ever worn the ring. This keeps the focus tight on their “True Detective” style mystery in the American heartland.

    The biggest draw for many fans will be the portrayal of Thaal Sinestro, though Mundy stopped short of revealing if the traitorous Korugarian will be the primary antagonist of Season 1.

    “Obviously in the canon, Sinestro’s the big bad,” said Mundy. “The thing that interests us is this idea [that] Hal was trained by Sinestro, Hal is training John. In the coaching tree, we’re very interested in what gets passed on, what doesn’t, how much is human nature. We talked a lot about programming and parenting and training…What did Hal take away from Sinestro that was good or bad? It brings up a lot of interesting worries.”

    By setting Lanterns in 2016, James Gunn and Peter Safran are building a history for the DCU. It gives the world weight—showing what the heroes have been in the years before Superman went public. It also allows the show to potentially focus on the legendary Hal/Sinestro friendship before it becomes the franchise’s most iconic rivalry.

    Lanterns will stream on HBO Max this August.

    Source: Entertainment Weekly

  • Matthew Lillard’s ‘Man of Tomorrow’ Role Could Streeeeeetch Into a Terrific New DCU Team

    Matthew Lillard’s ‘Man of Tomorrow’ Role Could Streeeeeetch Into a Terrific New DCU Team

    The internet has a funny way of remembering things, and right now, it’s fixated on a 26-year-old conversation between two friends. Following the news that Matthew Lillard has officially joined the cast of Man of Tomorrow, a persistent and highly logical theory has taken over: Eel O’Brian is finally coming to the big screen.

    While Plastic Man sounds like a wild swing, the evidence suggests this isn’t just fan-casting—it’s a decades-long manifestation.

    The bedrock of this theory isn’t just Lillard’s lanky frame; it’s a direct confirmation from James Gunn himself. Back in March 2023, Gunn took to social media to confirm a long-standing rumor: while filming the first Scooby-Doo in 2000, he and Lillard spent their downtime discussing a Plastic Man movie.

    Gunn has gone on record stating that he always thought Lillard’s physical comedy and rubbery facial expressions made him the definitive choice for the role. In his recent “no reason” photo with Lillard on Instagram, fans noticed the actor’s current look—lean, expressive, and wearing a very Eel O’Brian style of glasses.

    Why introduce Plastic Man in a Superman sequel? Perhaps Gunn is continuing that development of another group of heroes to the new DC Universe.

    The Terrifics

    We already know that Man of Tomorrow features the returns of Mister Terrific (Edi Gathegi) and Metamorpho (Anthony Carrigan). In the comics, these two are the core of a team called The Terrifics—and the third member is almost always Plastic Man. Lillard’s chaotic energy would be the perfect foil to Gathegi’s stoic intellect and Carrigan’s tragic Metamorpho. Introducing him here allows Gunn to build toward a Terrifics spin-off without needing a full origin story movie.

    Some fans have argued the 56-year-olf Lillard might be too old, but Gunn has alreadly pivoted his DCU to feature seasoned heroes, like Lanterns Guy Gardner and Hal Jordan. A veteran Plastic Man who has been stretching for years fits the established timeline of this universe.

    If Lillard is Plastic Man, it’s a full-circle moment for two of the industry’s most resilient creators. Gunn wrote the scripts that helped make Lillard a 2000s icon, and now he’s bringing him into the Gods and Monsters era. Plastic Man is a character that requires a specific mix of tragedy and absurdity—traits Lillard has mastered from Scream to The Bear.

  • Greg Mottola Tops Short List for DC Studios’ Secret (Six) Deathstroke and Bane Film

    The “Gods and Monsters” slate just got a lot more lethal. In a blockbuster exclusive, Deadline reports that Greg Mottola (Superbad, Adventureland) is among the favorites to direct the Deathstroke & Bane team-up film for DC Studios.

    While Mottola is best known for his sharp, character-driven comedies and indie dramas, James Gunn and Peter Safran are deeply familiar with his work thanks to his time on Peacemaker.

    Though a script is still being written, it’s believed that the film will be a standalone villain-centric entry, similar in tone to the Suicide Squad. Indeed it’s been speculated that the project may be a Secret Six film with Deathstroke and Bane at its center.

    The screenplay is being penned by Matthew Orton (Moon Knight, Captain America: Brave New World), suggesting the tactical, military elements will be grounded and gritty.

    Source: Deadline

  • Mystery in Metropolis — Matthew Lillard Reunites with James Gunn for ‘Man of Tomorrow’

    Mystery in Metropolis — Matthew Lillard Reunites with James Gunn for ‘Man of Tomorrow’

    The Matthew Lillard Renaissance is officially hitting the DCU. According to Deadline, horror icon and fan-favorite Matthew Lillard has joined the cast of Man of Tomorrow.

    While his role is being kept under a fortress-level” secrecy by DC Studios, the casting marks a major 20-year reunion for Lillard and James Gunn, who famously collaborated on the live-action Scooby-Doo films written by Gunn in the early 2000s.

    Lillard is currently on one of the most impressive runs of his career, and joining the DCU is the cherry on top. Fans just finished seeing Lillard as the enigmatic Mr. Charles in Daredevil: Born Again Season 2, where he played a manipulative political fixer working against Kingpin.

    Mr. Charles (Matthew Lillard) in Marvel Television’s DAREDEVIL: BORN AGAIN SEASON 2, exclusively on Disney+. Photo by Jojo Whilden. © 2026 MARVEL.

    Gunn is known for alumni casting, and Lillard—the definitive live-action Shaggy—is a perfect fit for Gunn’s quirky but high-stakes world-building. Between returning for Scream 7, Five Nights at Freddy’s 2, and the upcoming Carrie series, Lillard is officially the hardest-working man in genre film right now.

    As usual, the internet is already rife with theories for the undisclosed role. Some believe he could be playing a character like Snapper Carr or a high-ranking government official (perhaps a DC version of his Born Again role) who serves as a liaison between Superman and the U.N. With Brainiac (Lars Eidinger) as the main threat, some theorists are looking at Lillard to play a more eccentric, tech-based villain like Winslow Schott, aka Toyman.

    Filming is already well underway in Atlanta under the working title “Exodus.” Lillard joining the cast now suggests he may have a significant role in the film’s second act. Man of Tomorrow is locked in for a July 9, 2027 theatrical release, serving as the first true sequel in Gunn’s new DC Universe.