Murphy's Multiverse

Tag: dcu

  • Annecy: DC Studios Gives First Look at ‘Creature Commandos’ Season 2

    Annecy: DC Studios Gives First Look at ‘Creature Commandos’ Season 2

    The animated corner of James Gunn and Peter Safran’s DCU Chapter 1: Gods and Monsters isn’t slowing down. During the World’s Finest panel at Annecy, showrunner Dean Lorey and DC Studios co-chair James Gunn have officially unveiled first-look details and artwork for Creature Commandos Season 2.

    Slated to premiere in 2027—strategically arriving shortly after the theatrical debut of next summer’s Man of Tomorrow—the sophomore outing of Task Force M promises a significantly larger, weirder scale that blows the doors off the established status quo.

    Season 2 will continue to follow the core team of monstrous metahumans originally assembled by Amanda Waller (Viola Davis) and John Economos (Steve Agee). The first-look assets confirm the survival and return of the central Task Force M mainstays:

    • David Harbour’s Eric Frankenstein and Indira Varma’s The Bride continuing their complicated domestic dynamic, with the latter leading the squad.
    • Alan Tudyk’s combustible Dr. Phosphorus, Sean Gunn’s Weasel, and the rebuilt military-bot G.I. Robot will also return.

    “He’s got a really strong and emotional character arc this season,” producer Rick Morales said of G.I. Robot. “[Gunn] cares a lot and has really great insights. We sent him a dozen looks and keyed in on these rounder, bigger shapes.”

    As teased in the Season 1 finale, King Shark, the mummy Khalis and vampire Nosfersta, reportedly voiced by Alien:Earth‘s Sydney Chandler, will join Task Force M in the new batch of episodes.

  • Batman is Dead and the Clown Wants Blood — DC Unveils First-Ever Anime Series ‘Joker: Laugh Riot’ at Annecy

    Batman is Dead and the Clown Wants Blood — DC Unveils First-Ever Anime Series ‘Joker: Laugh Riot’ at Annecy

    Who killed the Batman? That’s the multi-million dollar question sweeping through Gotham City, and nobody is angrier about the answers than the Clown Prince of Crime himself. During its blockbuster World’s Finest showcase at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival, DC Studios and Warner Bros. Animation officially gave a full-series greenlight to Joker: Laugh Riot—the first-ever official anime series in DC history.

    Developed as a high-octane adult animated series, the project is a joint structural powerhouse co-produced alongside SOLA Entertainment, the acclaimed studio behind The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim.

    While past projects like Suicide Squad Isekai or Batman Ninja dipped their toes into anime aesthetics, Laugh Riot is a fundamentally different beast—functioning as a dark, psychological underworld thriller. The series kicks off with a paradigm-shifting inciting incident: Batman has been murdered. Rather than celebrating the permanent vacancy of Gotham’s protector, the Joker is left completely hollow, unmotivated, and deeply offended that someone else stole his ultimate life’s goal.

    When Batman is murdered, the Joker launches a ruthless crusade through Gotham’s underworld to find the killer who took away his greatest adversary. But as his violent quest for answers pushes him closer towards vigilante than villain, Joker is forced to confront the truth that without Batman, he doesn’t know who he is.

    -Official synopsis for Joker: Laugh Riot

    To capture the distinct, hyper-stylized kineticism of high-end anime, Warner Bros. has assembled a highly pedegreed creative pipeline:

    • Yasuhiro Aoki (ChaO) will direct. Aoki is no stranger to the streets of Gotham, having previously helmed the highly praised “In Darkness Dwells” segment of the 2008 anthology feature Batman: Gotham Knight.
    • Longtime DC animation veteran Jim Krieg (Batman: Knightfall) is locked in to guide the macro-narrative as executive producer.

    Billed strictly as an adult animated series, Laugh Riot will feature an uncompromising look at the visceral, street-level brutality of Gotham’s mob landscape, tracking a manic, grief-stricken Joker playing a psychotic game of detective. The concept of a depressed, unhinged Joker hunting down Batman’s killer is an absolute goldmine of a narrative. It explores the toxic, co-dependent psychological relationship between the two icons on a level live-action movies rarely have the runtime to breathe through. By handing the animation reins to Aoki and SOLA Entertainment, DC isn’t just making a Western cartoon dressed up like anime—they are crafting a legitimate, uncompromised piece of Japanese animation that treats the Clown Prince of Crime like an unstoppable, John Wick-style force of underworld nature.

    While a network or streaming platform has yet to be finalized, the project is moving ahead rapidly. By embracing adult anime as a primary pillar of their storytelling, DC Studios is tapping into the fastest-growing demographic in modern entertainment. If Joker: Laugh Riot hits the mark, it opens up a frictionless backdoor for future international partnerships—paving the way for high-end, dark fantasy anime epics.

  • The Goodest Boy Gets the Greenlight — ‘Krypto’ Animated Series from DC Studios Officially Announced at Annecy

    The Goodest Boy Gets the Greenlight — ‘Krypto’ Animated Series from DC Studios Officially Announced at Annecy

    Sometimes, a scoop takes the scenic route, but the destination is always worth the wait. Years ago, I published a report revealing that DC Studios co-head James Gunn had a massive, passionate interest in bringing Superman’s faithful canine companion, Krypto, to the center stage of the new DCU pipeline. Today, at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival, that exclusive premise was (kine of) validated.

    Warner Bros. Animation and DC Studios have formally announced that a Krypto animated series is officially in development.

    The reveal capped off a historic, adult-focused animation showcase for DC that also included the greenlights for Scott Snyder’s Absolute Batman and the psychological anime thriller Joker: Laugh Riot. But while those projects lean heavily into the R-rated dark side of Gotham, Krypto is traveling a much brighter, family-oriented path.

    When he’s not hanging out with Superman or Supergirl, Krypto tags along with a gang of misfit criminal wannabes who live down the block, and they soon discover he’s a ball of destructive, lovable energy worse than any of them! As he follows them into misadventures and poorly laid plans, Krypto’s pure nature slowly ends up redeeming them, whether they want it or not.

    -Official synopsis for Krypto

    When I first ran with the idea that Gunn was looking into a standalone Krypto project, the DCU was still in its nebulous infancy. Critics and fans wondered how a super-powered dog would fit into a unified narrative. Gunn himself later dropped hints on social media—and eventually cast a live-action iteration of the character in this summer’s Superman and DC Studios’ Supergirl space epic. However, the Annecy announcement proves that Gunn‘s vision for the character wasn’t just limited to a live-action supporting cameo or a quick visual gag; it involved Krypto anchoring his own narrative engine.

    According to the official studio details published by TheWrap, the newly greenlit animated series will function as a vibrant, high-energy family adventure. It aims to introduce younger audiences to the broader cosmic and terrestrial mythology of the new DC Universe through the eyes of its most loyal protector.

    To ensure the series matches the heart and premium visual quality of DC’s broader animation push, Chowder and Jellystone! architect C.H. Greenblatt will create and executive produce.

    While the series is explicitly being built as a family-friendly entry point, it represents a core pillar of Gunn’s foundational strategy: using multiple animation mediums to make the DC brand accessible to every single demographic.

    For years, people have doubted whether a character like Krypto could sustain his own modern spotlight without looking silly. But Gunn has built an entire career out of turning eccentric animal characters—from Rocket Raccoon to Weasel—into the emotional, beating hearts of massive franchises.

  • 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