DCU Chapter One is officially up and running. After the release of Creature Commandos season 1 and Superman, James Gunn and Peter Safran’s new-look cinematic universe has taken its first steps into the big, wide world. With both projects being well received, the DC Universe (DCU) has gotten off to a good start, too.
“But, what’s coming next?”, I hear you ask. Allow my expert guide to, well, guide you. Below, I’ve rounded up the biggest and latest news on all of the new movies and HBO Max shows that’ll be part of DCU Chapter One, otherwise known as ‘Gods and Monsters’. You’ll learn more about any confirmed launch dates, cast details, trailer, plot specifics, and much more from this point on. So, hop to it, DC Comics aficionado!
DCU Chapter One full line-up
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In January 2023, Gunn revealed the DCU Chapter One’s full line-up. In total, 11 projects – five movies and six TV shows – were announced, but a few more have joined the party in the two-plus years since the initial reveal. You can read more about some of the most recent changes in my article covering six big takeaways about Gunn’s latest major update on the DCU.
But I digress. Here’s a quick rundown of every DCH Chapter One film and TV series that’s confirmed to be in development, alongside any official release dates that have been announced:
- Peacemaker season 2 (TV show, August 21, 2025)
- Lanterns (TV show, expected early 2026 (date TBC))
- Supergirl (movie, June 26, 2026)
- Clayface (movie, September 11, 2026)
- The Authority (movie, TBC)
- The Brave and the Bold (movie, TBC)
- Booster Gold (TV show, TBC)
- Creature Commandos season 2 (TV show, TBC)
- Paradise Lost (TV show, TBC)
- Sgt Rock (movie, TBC)
- Superman sequel (movie, TBC)
- Swamp Thing (movie, TBC)
- Waller (TV show, TBC)
- Wonder Woman (movie, TBC)
DCU Chapter One: confirmed release dates and launch windows
Peacemaker season 2
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Release date: August 21, 2025
Director: James Gunn
Main cast: John Cena, Danielle Brooks, Jennifer Holland, Steve Agee, Freddie Stroma, Tim Meadows, Frank Grillo, Sol Rodriguez, Michael Rooker, Robert Patrick, and Viola Davis
Although it originally existed in the now-defunct DC Extended Universe, season 2 of Peacemaker will sit under the DCU banner. Its plot will explain how the titular anti-hero crosses over into Gunn and Safran’s rebooted cinematic franchise, too.
Peacemaker season 2 will launch this August and, after its first footage arrived as part of a new on HBO Max in 2025 trailer, the forthcoming season’s first official teaser (see above) arrived in May. A new trailer should be released in late July, too, following its possible world premiere at this year’s San Diego Comic-Con.
As well as the above actors confirmed to appear, one of the best HBO Max shows’ second season will also feature the return of other season 1 characters, plus some metahumans who showed up in Superman. For more details, read my guide on what we know so far about Peacemaker season 2.
Lanterns
Release window: expected early 2026
Directors: James Hawes, Stephen Williams, Geeta Vasant Patel, and Alik Sakharov
Confirmed cast: Aaron Pierre, Kyle Chandler, Nathan Fillion, and Jason Ritter
Lanterns, a Green Lantern TV show that was officially greenlit in June 2024, is expected to arrive in early 2026. Lanterns‘ creative team was revealed last May, with one particular addition being a perfect fit for its crime thriller tendencies.
Principal photography began in late February 28 and was marked by the first official image of Pierre’s John Stewart and Chandler’s Hal Jordan (see above). Its filming midpoint was reached in June, so it could be September or October before its shooting schedule wraps.
Fillion, who appeared in Superman as another Green Lantern named Guy Gardner, will have a big supporting role. Meanwhile, Ritter, whose character identity is unknown, has confirmed he’s part of the cast.
Little is known about its plot, but here’s a brief synopsis, courtesy of HBO: “The series follows new recruit John Stewart and Lantern legend Hal Jordan, two intergalactic cops drawn into a dark, earth-based mystery as they investigate a murder in the American heartland.”
Supergirl
Release date: June 26, 2026
Director: Craig Gillespie
Confirmed cast: Milly Alcock, Matthias Schoenaerts, Eve Ridley, and Jason Momoa
Supergirl, which was originally called Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow until James Gunn confirmed its name change in June, will be the first solo big-screen outing for Superman’s cousin since the Helen Slater-starring 1984 movie.
House of the Dragon alumnus Milly Alcock will star as the titular hero, with that confirmation coming days after Gunn whittled down his Supergirl cast list to two stars in January 2024.
Krypto will co-star after appearing in Superman, while 3 Body Problem‘s Eve Ridley will play Ruthye Marye Knoll. Momoa will play Lobo, a fan-favorite immortal mercenary in DC Comics and Schoenarts is on board as primary villain Krem. The Hollywood Reporter (THR) also suggests David Krumholtz and Emily Beecham have been cast as Kara’s Kryptonian parents.
For more on the next DCU Chapter One movie to be released, read my guide on everything we know so far about Supergirl.
Clayface
Release date: September 11, 2026
Director: James Watkins
Confirmed cast: Tom Rhys Harries
Billed as a low-budget horror film – THR claims it’ll have a $40 million budget – Clayface has been written by horror auteur Mike Flanagan. It’ll be directed by Speak No Evil‘s James Watkins and an unlikely star in Tom Rhys Harries has been cast in the titular role.
Filming is rumored to begin in August (per The Wall Street Journal) on a film centered around one of Batman’s many iconic villains. No plot details have been divulged but, speaking to ComicBook.com, Flanagan says it’s been inspired by one of Batman: The Animated Series‘ best episodes.
DCU Chapter One: movies in development
The Authority
Release date: TBC
Director: TBC
Expected cast: Maria Gabriela de Faría
DCU Chapter One is still expected to introduce The Authority, a lesser known team of antiheroes who feel right up Gunn’s street. However, at a DCU press event in February, Gunn said progress is slow on this one, adding: “(It’s) the one that got messed with through all of the other things that were happening. The script had a harder time coming along”. It’s possible, then, that this movie might not get made.
If it is, it’ll be based on Warren Ellis and Bryan Hitch’s comic series (released via DC’s Wildstorm imprint) and focus on the eponymous group who are prepared to use any means necessary to save the day. De Faría should feature as Angela Spica/The Engineer following her appearance in Superman, but no-one else has been cast.
The Brave and the Bold
Release date: TBC
Director: Andy Muschietti
Cast: TBC
Based on Grant Morrison’s popular graphic novel namesake, The Brave and the Bold‘s movie adaptation – one of TechRadar’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.
The Flash’s Andy Muschietti will direct it and, while a writer has been found, Gunn reportedly doesn’t want to publicly name them due to the intense media spotlight that’ll be shone on them. However, Gunn recently said that he thinks “he has a way in” on the movie’s script and that Gunn himself is actively involved in shaping its story (per Total Film).
Swamp Thing
Release date: TBC
Director: TBC
Cast: 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 is still being written by James Mangold (Logan, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny). However, Safran has said “the ball is really in his [Mangold’s] court” about whether he wants to continue working on it.
Sgt Rock
Release date: TBC
Director: TBC
Cast: TBC
After making his DCU debut in Creature Commandos episode 3, Sergeant Rock was reportedly getting a standalone movie.
Call Me By Your Name‘s Luca Guadagnino was set to direct it and Challengers‘ Justin Kuritzkes was said to be penning its screenplay. Colin Farrell wa reportedly in talks to star (via THR), too.
“What we love about Sgt Rock is the opportunity to tell a story about heroism and conflict in compelling and unique way,” Safran said the February press event. “Justin really wrote a wonderful screenplay and that’s what catapulted that project to the forefront.”
Since then, confusion has reigned over Sgt Rock’s status amid contrasting reports about whether it’ll be made. Neither Gunn or Safran have publicly said if it’s still in active development so, unless we’re told otherwise, we’ll assume it is.
Superman 2
Release date: TBC
Director: TBC
Likely cast: David Corenswet
A follow-up to Gunn’s Superman movie is already being worked on by the DC Studios co-chief. However, Gunn has regularly hinted that it won’t be a direct sequel, including on Threads in late July.
Meanwhile, Corenswet has said he knows Gunn is working on another project that he’ll appear in, but doesn’t know what it is. Considering everything else that Gunn has on his plate, expect it to be a while before we find out anything official.
Wonder Woman
Release date: TBC
Director: TBC
Cast: TBC
After Gunn sparked excitement about Wonder Woman’s DCU debut in mid-May, the DC Studios co-head confirmed a Diana Prince-led DCU film was in early development one month later. Fans already think that one Star Wars actor is the clear choice to play her, too.
It’s unclear how this flick will impact Paradise Lost, the previously announced DCU TV series that’ll be based on Prince’s home island of Themyscira (more on this in the below section). Like Superman 2, we await more details from Messrs Gunn and Safran.
DCU Chapter One: TV shows in development
Creature Commandos season 2
Release date: TBC
Director: TBC
Cast: TBC
Following this show’s season 1 debut in late 2024, Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) renewed the DCU’s first animated show for a second season. Showrunner Dean Lorey has confirmed work is already underway on its next installment as well (per Collider).
While we wait for more on the series’ return, remind yourself what happened in last season’s final episode via my Creature Commandos season 1 ending explained piece. Then, get the full lowdown on its follow-up by reading my Creature Commandos season 2 hub.
Waller
Release date: TBC
Director: TBC
Confirmed cast: Viola Davis
An Amanda Waller standalone series was expected to be Gunn’s next project after Peacemaker season 2 (per Threads). However, speaking at February’s press event, Gunn said of its development: “We’ve taken a couple of cracks at it but still haven’t been able to land [it]. Waller has been a bumpy road”. As of mid-June, Gunn said (via Threads) that it’s still in development.
Once a breakthrough his achieved, Davis will headline this live-action Peacemaker spin-off on HBO Max, aka one of the world’s best streaming services. In a 2024 post on Threads, Gunn confirmed events in Peacemaker season 2 will directly lead into Waller, too.
Paradise Lost
Release date: TBC
Director: TBC
Cast: TBC
Paradise Lost will go back to Wonder Woman’s idyllic island home for some political in-fighting. “It’s going to be a Game of Thrones-ish story about Themyscira, the home of the Amazons and the birthplace of Wonder Woman,” Safran teased in January 2023. “This drama is really about the political intrigue behind this society of all women.”
In February, Gunn revealed work was continuing on this DCU Chapter One production, but a writer still hadn’t been found, so this series is still a while away. Considering a Wonder Woman film is also in the works now, it’s unclear whether this project will ever see the light of day.
Booster Gold
Release date: TBC
Director: TBC
Cast: TBC
If your first thought was “…who???”, 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 puts it: “It’s the superhero story of imposter syndrome”.
Like many DCU Chapter One projects, there are very few details about it. Speaking at February’s press event, Safran admitted a showrunner had been found, but they ultimately walked away from the project. However, it is “moving forward with somebody else”, Safran added, so development hasn’t officially stalled.
For more DC-based coverage, read our guides on how to watch the DC movies in order, how to watch the Batman movies in order, and how to watch the Superman movies in order. Then, see if you agree with our ranking of the best Batman movies.
