Murphy's Multiverse

Tag: dcu

  • ‘Superman’ Co-Star Teases ‘Man of Tomorrow’ Role

    ‘Superman’ Co-Star Teases ‘Man of Tomorrow’ Role

    James Gunn announced that the next film in his Superman Saga, Man of Tomorrow, is slated for a July 9, 2027 theatrical debut, showing off artwork teasing the potential team up of David Corenswet‘s Superman and Nicholas Hoult‘s Lex Luthor. Gunn previously teased that Superman would share the screen with characters from “within the group of characters we’ve already met,” in the DCU. Now it seems as though we know who at least one more of those will be.

    Superman star Isabela Merced, who debuted as the DCU’s Hawkgirl shared Gunn’s social media post in an Instagram story she captioned “See You Soon.”

    I’m totally done with the treatment. My treatments are incredibly intense. They’re not regular treatments. They’re 60-page treatments with dialogue and everything,” Gunn devulged. “And so, now I’m just turning that into a script. We’re planning out when we’re going to shoot that. It’s going to be much sooner rather than later.

    -James Gunn

    Should Merced, who also briefly reprised her role in Season 2 of Peacemaker, indeed be returning for the film, it is very likely she’ll be accompanied by Edi Gathegi‘s Mister Terrific, Nathan Fillion‘s Guy Gardner and Anthony Carrigan‘s Metamorpho, all members of the Maxwell Lord-sponsored Justice Gang.

    Updating…

  • ‘Clayface’ Props Reveal Key Locations in the DCU’s Gotham

    ‘Clayface’ Props Reveal Key Locations in the DCU’s Gotham

    In 2020, Liverpool, England was transformed into Gotham as director Matt Reeves filmed scenes for The Batman. Five years later, as production on DC Studios’ Clayface gets underway, Liverpool is once again serving as Gotham City, set this time, however, in the all-new DCU.

    As was the case with the DCU’s Superman, which saw Cleveland become Metropolis, DC Studios is taking great care to make sure its Gotham is FULL of Easter eggs, nods and comic accurate inclusions. Most interestingly, a map of Gotham City has been spotted on set and it is complete with key locations such as Wayne Manor, Ace Chemical, The Monarch Theater, Crime Alley, Arkham and the Kane Memorial Bridge.

    While this map is unlikely to serve as anything more than something to see in the background, the references to the Joker, the Penguin, Batman and the Kane family stand out as fans get their first look at a Gotham in which the Dark Knight has likely been active for a significant amount of time.

    Fans of the comics may note the map is all but identical to the one created in the 1999 Batfamily crossover event, Batman: No Man’s Land. While it’s unlikely that story will be adapted into Clayface, it’s a notable choice as it’s a different map than the one used in The Batman and with fans still searching for reasons to believe Clayface will be set in the Reeves-verse, this may be a strike against that.

  • DC Studios’ Supergirl Film Gets a New Logo…and Title

    DC Studios’ Supergirl Film Gets a New Logo…and Title

    After making her debut in Superman, Kara Zor-El is set to lead her own film in 2026. Based on the Tom King and Bilquis Evely’s DC Comic series, Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, the film will see Kara travel the galaxy and ultimately do battle against the villainous Krem of the Yellow Hills, played by Matthias Schoenaerts. And while the movie was originally intended to share a title with King And Bilquis‘ comic, it looks as though that has changed.

    A look at a logo for the upcoming movie was spotted on the set of Clayface, the next DCU film in the queue, and it seems to indicate that the original title has been shortened to simply Supergirl.

    If the title has indeed been changed, it shouldn’t come as a surprise. DC Studios’ boss James Gunn has been referring to the film as Supergirl for quite some time; additionally, it would be in line with Gunn’s decision to retitle Superman: Legacy by dropping the subtitle and going with Superman.

    Kara was on Krypton. She was on a piece of Krypton that drifted away from the planet and she lived there for the first fourteen years of her life in a horrible situation where she watched everyone around her die. So, she’s a much harsher and more fucked up Supergirl than you’ve been used to thus far.

    Described by Gunn as a little more rock and roll than Superman, Supergirl, starring Milly Alcock as Kara Zor-El, will be in theaters beginning June 26, 2026.

  • ‘Ray Donovan’ Star Joins Cast of DC Studios ‘Clayface’

    ‘Ray Donovan’ Star Joins Cast of DC Studios ‘Clayface’

    Cameras are now rolling in Liverpool on DC Studios’ third film, Clayface, and plenty of interested onlookers have taken to social media to share photos and videos from the set. While nothing too spoilery has been captured so far, a scene being filmed at The Queen Elizabeth Law Courts,  which has been transformed into Gotham General Hospital, revealed that a very familiar face has joined director James Watkins‘ horror film.

    As seen in the photo and video below, shared by Egg Boy, Ray Donovan star Eddie Marsan is now part of the DCU.

    The first looks don’t reveal anything too telling about Marsan‘s role, though he was also seen walking on set with Tom Rhys Harries, the film’s titular character, which could mean Marsan‘s role is substantial.

    Starring Harries as the Matt Hagen version of the classic Batman baddie, Clayface will “center on an ascending actor whose face is disfigured by a gangster. As a last resort, the actor turns to a fringe Elizabeth Holmes-style scientist for help. At first, the experiment is a successful but … well, it wouldn’t be a horror movie if the story ended right there, would it?” Based on additional photos from the set, it seems possible that low-level mob goon Jimmy “Red” McCoy may be the gangster responsible for Hagen’s disfigurement.

    Written by Mike Flanagan and described by DC Studios’ co-chair James Gunn as “a complete horror film,” Clayface is set to release on September 11, 2026.

  • James Gunn Addresses the Growing Hype around the Final Episodes of ‘Peacemaker’ Season 2

    The first episode of the second season of Peacemaker received high praise after it debuted on HBO Max, allowing the DCU to continue gathering momentum as it gets rolling. But according to series creator and DC Studios’ co-chair James Gunn, fans–and even critics who were sent early screening packages for the show–have a lot to look forward to

    In an interview with Screen Rant, Gunn explained that he was behind the decision to only let the press screen the first five episodes of the new season, claiming the remaining three simply held too many surprises to risk letting them into the wild.

    “I am the one who’s keeping the three episodes away from everybody because there are too many surprises in those last three episodes,” explained Gunn. “Especially 6 and 8, they are just crazy, my favourite things I’ve ever done of anything.”

    Gunn may have recently given away one of the surprises by all but confirming that Blue Beetle will appear in the sophomore season but the appearance of one hero would hardly be enough to keep three episodes from the screening package. What could have Gunn so excited? With him serving as the creative CEO of DC Studios and also as the creator of the four-film Superman Saga, it’s nearly impossible to say; however, given when Peacemaker filmed, it is potential appearances by David Corenswet or Milly Alcock should not be counted out.

    Source: Screen Rant

  • James Gunn Seemingly Confirms a Surprising Hero Will Make His DCU Debut in ‘Peacemaker’ Season 2

    Recently, DC Studios co-chair and Peacemaker creator James Gunn has drawn parallels between how John Cena‘s Christopher Smith was able to move from an “in-between universe” into the DCU and his plans for Blue Beetle, who made his big-screen debut in 2023.

    “Peacemaker was always in a weird place. People say he was part of the DCEU but he wasn’t really,” said Gunn in an interview with Rotten Tomatoes.”He was part of this “in-between Universe” of DC when there was nobody really making sure that everything was connected and at a time when they were going to rewrite everything with The Flash.We were kind of able to do whatever we wanted and we had that brash ending, which I loved, it was one of my favorite things from the whole season, but it just didn’t fit in with the DCU. And Peacemaker, there’s hardly anything else that you need to change for him, he can slide very easily into the DCU, same with Blue Beetle. They just kind of fit in very nicely, we just have to retcon a couple of things,” the DC boss explained. And it seems as though heat have had Blue Beetle on his mind for a reason.

    In an additional portion of the Rotten Tomatoes interview, Gunn seems to all but confirm that Blue Beetle will appear in an upcoming episode of Peacemaker Season 2.

    After the interviewer shares his love for the character with Gunn and expresses his desire to see Blue Beetle appear in Peacemaker, a grinning Gunn “Well, you know, I won’t say you’re not in luck.”

    Given Season 2’s use of the Multiverse as a primary plot device, a number of options are in play, including following up on the disappearance of Ted Kord, the original Blue Beetle, that was mentioned in the 2023 film. Whatever the path, it’s certain that the film’s star Xolo Maridueña, who has been teasing his character’s DCU future, will play some role.

    New episodes of the second season of Peacemaker debut weekly on Thursdays on HBO Max.

  • James Gunn Explains ‘Peacemaker’ Season 2’s Big Retcon

    James Gunn Explains ‘Peacemaker’ Season 2’s Big Retcon

    Before the DCU officially got underway with Creature Commandos in December 2024, DC Studios co-chair James Gunn had already muddied the canon waters. In what seemed to be an odd choice at the time, Gunn explained that events from The Suicide Squad or Season 1 of Peacemaker would “automatically become canon” when they were talked about in Creature Commandos.

    Released in 2021, The Suicide Squad introduced John Cena‘s Peacemaker to fans as part of a second team of degenerates sent by Amanda Waller to Corto Maltese. The events of The Suicide Squad, including the death of Rick Flag at the hands of Peacemaker, serve as the set up for Season 1 of Peacemaker. With Amanda Waller, who was featured in both projects, and Rick Flag’s father both appearing in Creature Commandos, and again in Season 2 of Peacemaker, a clear line of continuity seemed to be established from one project to the next…but then Gunn threw in a twist.

    “The truth is almost all of Peacemaker is canon with the exception of Justice League… which we will kind of deal with in the next season of Peacemaker,” Gunn teased in a November 2024 interview.

    Gunn was, of course referring to the season finale of the first season of Peacemaker, which featured some high profile cameos following the episode’s big battle. As Peacemaker and his crew walked away from the ashes of the barn battle, four members of the Justice League arrived on the scene. But with the DCEU dead and buried, how could they exist if Peacemaker is DCU canon?

    Ahead of the Season 2 premiere of Peacemaker, social media scooper My Time To Shine Hello shared word that Gunn’s decision to “deal with it” was to erase the Justice League entirely, replacing them with the Justice Gang during a “Previously in the DCU” opening. And that’s exactly how it went down, almost.

    3 CENTURIES AGO, the first superpowered beings, known as METAHUMANS, appeared on Earth, ushering in a new era of GODS AND MONSTERS.

    3 DECADES AGO, an extraterrestrial baby was sent in a spacecraft to Earth, and adopted by Kansas farmers.

    3 YEARS AGO, the baby, now grown, announced himself as SUPERMAN, the most powerful metahuman of all.

    3 WEEKS AGO, Superman stopped the country of BORAVIA from invading JARHANPUR, sparking controversy around the world

    3 HOURS AGO, a metahuman called the HAMMER OF BORAVIA attacked Superman in the city of METROPOLIS.

    3 MINUTES AGO, Superman lost a battle for the first time.

    While Mister Terrific, Hawkgirl, Green Lantern Guy Gardner, Superman and Supergirl did appear, the latter two were NOT members of the Justice Gang at that time because as Gunn reminded fans on Threads, the events of Peacemaker Season 1 happened “before Superman.” That also explains the absence of Metamorpho, who teamed up with the heroes, and why Clark was so familiar with those characters in Superman. According to Gunn, the Man of Steal and his cousin have been able to “team up with them a lot like they did in Superman,” in the three years since Clark announced himself as Superman.

    To recap, the events of Peacemaker Season 1 take place in the new DCU continuity before Superman and, as made clear by Rick Flag Sr.’s reference to the “Luthor incident,” Season 2 takes place after the events in Metropolis. Easy as that!

  • James Gunn Teases Production Start on the Next Installment of His Superman Saga

    James Gunn Teases Production Start on the Next Installment of His Superman Saga

    With DC Studios hosting the red carpet premiere of Season 2 of Peacemaker and Superman debuting on digital platforms this week, James Gunn has spent quite a bit of  time in front of the press and he has rarely remained silent in such situations. As such, it was no surprise that he broke some DCU news earlier this week, though the subject caught nearly everyone off guard.

    I’ve already finished the treatment for the next story in what I’ll call the Superman Saga. The treatment’s done–which means a very, very worked out and I’m hopefully going into production on that  treatment–and I’m working on that not too far away from today.

    -James Gunn

    After a recent mention of Gunn’s involvement in a “Super-Family” movie, the DC Studios co-chair revealed he has finished work on a treatment of what he referred to as the next story in the “Superman Saga.” Furthermore, the news that the film would be headed into production “not too far away from today,” certainly turned heads as it could possibly mean a third Superman Family film would be in theaters over a 2 or 3 year span, following this summer’s Superman and next year’s Supergirl. Now, in a new interview with Collider, Gunn has provided some additional information about the treatment and, once again, teased an imminent start of production.

    “We’re scheduling it now, ” said Gunn of the production of the new film which will star David Corenswet but will NOT be Superman 2.

    “I’m totally done with the treatment. My treatments are incredibly intense. They’re not regular treatments. They’re 60-page treatments with dialogue and everything,” Gunn devulged. “And so, now I’m just turning that into a script. We’re planning out when we’re going to shoot that. It’s going to be much sooner rather than later.“

    Though no details have been revealed, fans have come to believe that the project may see Kal-El, his cousin, Kara Zor-El, and her dog, Krypto, team up to take on classic Superman baddie Brainiac. Should DC Studios schedule production sometime in 2025–which would align with the idea of “not too far from today”–it wound stand to reason that casting would get underway soon and that more details about the film would begin to make their way online.

    Source: Collider

  • Reactions Call ‘Peacemaker’ Season 2 a Winning and Violent Next Chapter for the DCU

    Reactions Call ‘Peacemaker’ Season 2 a Winning and Violent Next Chapter for the DCU

    Nearly three years after the first season caught audiences by surprise and became regarded as one of the best shows of 2022, the second season of Peacemaker is almost finally here. Ahead of the August 21st debut, DC Studios held a red carpet premiere on August 13th in New York City and now reactions and reviews have begun to land online.

    Through the first 34 reviews, Season 2 of Peacemaker held a 100% Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, enough to make sure the project earned the Certified Fresh label. Critics largely praised series star John Cena‘s continued work as the damaged hero Christopher Smith and lauded James Gunn‘s work in making the Multiverse work for the DCU.

    Screening packages which were sent out to select members of the media only contained the first five episodes with Gunn claiming that not even his publicist could see the final three because they contained such major spoilers.

    While some journalists levied some minor criticisms against the new season, the consensus seems to be that it’s going to be a wildly entertaining, funny and violent ride.

  • James Gunn Explains How ‘Peacemaker’ Forced ‘Superman’ to Digital So Soon

    James Gunn Explains How ‘Peacemaker’ Forced ‘Superman’ to Digital So Soon

    After an incredibly short 35-day theatrical window, DC Studios Superman is now available to rent or purchase on digital platforms. Though the film hasn’t been pulled from theaters, fans were caught off guard earlier this week when the August 15th digital debut was announced; however, it turns out there’s a pretty logical reason behind the first film in the Superman Saga heading to small screens so soon.

    “Well, it’s very complicated, but the truth is it is because of Peacemaker,” Gunn explained in an interview with Screen Rant. The DC Studios co-chair previously stated that “Peacemaker season 2 is very connected to Superman,” though now it sounds as though watching the Man of Steel’s DCU debut may be required reading for the new season of John Cena‘s streaming series.

    -Photo courtesy of WB Media Pass

    I originally thought Peacemaker was going to be coming out next month [September]. There was a lot of things that are beyond our control, so that Peacemaker is coming out now, and, at the end of the day, I wanted everyone to be able to see Superman that wanted to, even those people who couldn’t get to a theater before Peacemaker. And that’s really the reason for it.

    -James Gunn

    Reading between the lines of Gunn’s comments, it sounds as though Warner Bros. Discovery made the decision to release Season 2 of Peacemaker in August, scuttling the original plans for Superman‘s digital release. In all reality, the quick turnaround is unlikely to cause much harm to the box office total of the film and will more than likely spur another round of social media hype as fans who hadn’t seen it in theaters check in.

    Peacemaker Season 2 debuts on HBO Max.

    Source: Screen Rant