Fans patiently awaited James Gunn’s announcement regarding the new slate for the rebooted DCU. When it finally arrived at the end of January, it stunned fans with a few interesting inclusions and reveals. The co-CEO of DC Studios laid out a whole new slate of TV shows and films that set up a bright new future for the DCU, though there were still a few surprises.
DC Studios’ revealed slate for Chapter 1: Gods and Monsters featured a few projects like Superman: Legacy that fans were already expecting. However, the announcement that Supergirl would also lead her own film shocked a few fans. A live-action The Authority film was also not expected, though most were pleasantly surprised by the reveals.
10 Actors Will Move Between Film, TV, And Animated Projects
James Gunn made one thing clear early in the announcement of the new slate from DC Studios. A unified film and TV DCU would replace the previously disconnected projects of the DCEU and The CW’s Arrowverse. As James Gunn revealed each project, he highlighted how that film or series would fit into the larger DCU storyline.
Even animated series like Creature Commandos and potential upcoming video games set in the DCU would all tie together. The biggest and most pleasant surprise is the reveal that actors will mostly stay with their characters through live-action and animated appearances to keep the continuity consistent.
9 Matt Reeves’ Batman Will Exist In The DC Elseworlds Banner
The anticipated announcement of the DCU left fans wondering where Matt Reeves’ The Batman and Todd Phillips’ Joker series fit into the new slate. James Gunn revealed that both films and ongoing series like Teen Titans Go! will exist as titles under the DC Elseworlds banner.
There will be a clear separation between stories set in the DCU and DC Elseworlds tales. This is good news for fans looking to explore Reeves’ new take on the Dark Knight who are also excited to see the character’s modern adventures on the big screen. The announcement also opens the door for other influential DC Elseworlds comic adaptations on the big screen as well.
8 The DCEU’s “Leftovers” Will Still Factor Into The DCU
Before James Gunn dived into some of the new projects in the DCU, he revealed how the upcoming “leftovers” of the DCEU will fit into the new cinematic universe. 2023 will see the release of four DCEU films that will now kick off the early stages of the DCU.
Shazam: Fury of the Gods is the first film in 2023, which will lead into The Flash solo film. Gunn revealed that Shazam was always on the outskirts which made it easy to fit him into the DCU, while The Flash will reboot the DCEU as fans know it. Blue Beetle will be one of the first new heroes in the DCU, while Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom will help further blend the old with the new.
7 Waller Will Feature The Suicide Squad’s Titular Anti-Villain
It seems like a great disservice to call Viola Davis a “leftover,” but she is also one of the few surviving cast members from the original slate due to her great DCEU performance. Gunn surprised fans with the announcement that she would carry on in her own series called Waller.
Davis will reprise her role as Amanda Waller from Suicide Squadand The Suicide Squad. She will appear alongside Team Peacemaker from James Gunn’s hit HBO series, continuing the storylines of the DCEU in the DCU. The cover of John Ostrander, Kim Yale, and Luke McDonnell’s Suicide Squad #39 appeared during the announcement, teasing the public reveal of Waller’s Task Force X.
6 The Stories Of Themyscira Will Be Told In Paradise Lost
While Gal Gadot’s continuing role as Wonder Woman is still unconfirmed, the Amazons definitely have a place in the DCU. James Gunn revealed that a new series called Paradise Lost will take place on Wonder Woman’s home island of Themyscira.
The announcement didn’t reveal many details about Paradise Lost, but an image from the New 52’s version of Donna Troy was shown. It featured the modern version of Donna Troy as she led the armies of Themyscira against Amazonian-born sons. A dark witch created Donna Troy to take Wonder Woman’s throne, which could be setting the Titan up for a leading role in the DCU.
5 Booster Gold Will Star In His Own Live-Action TV Series
James Gunn revealed that an exciting DC hero will be starring in his own live-action series for the first time. Booster Gold will follow Michael Jon Carter as he steals powerful technology from the future so that he can become a rich and famous hero in the past.
Gunn cited Booster Gold’s popularity and relatability as reasons for his own series. However, it’s likely that DC Studios saw the potential of a DC hero who could travel through time with knowledge of the future that could tease other projects in the DCU. Booster Gold could play around with the DCU’s timeline in a way that finally works with continuity instead of against it.
4 Supergirl: Woman Of Tomorrow Will Be An Epic Sci-Fi Film
One of the best new DC comic series of the last few years was Tom King and Bilquis Evely’s Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow. It even impressed James Gunn, who made plans to turn the comic storyline into a “big, science-fiction epic film.”
Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow explored a dark chapter of Kara Zor-El’s origins. Supergirl reconnected with an old acquaintance while in space which turned into an epic adventure that redefined the popular Kryptonian. While fans were expecting the Superman: Legacy reveal, the direct comic adaptation of Woman of Tomorrow was an unexpected delight.
3 Lanterns Is The Reworked Green Lantern Corps TV Series
Fans have been waiting to hear more news about the long-in-development Green Lantern Corps TV series for months. James Gunn shocked fans and revealed that the reworked series was now an exciting new Earth-focused show called Lanterns.
Human Green Lantern ring-bearers Hal Stewart and John Stewart will lead the series, though other Green Lanterns will appear. Their investigation on Earth will uncover mysteries about the larger DCU storyline, further integrating both universes. Imagery included with the Lanterns reveal teased versions of Jordan and Stewart from the modernized Green Lantern: Year One continuity.
2 The Brave And The Bold Will Introduce A New DCU Batman
Fans learned that The Batman would continue as a DC Elseworlds franchise, but Gunn also announced the debut of a new DCU Batman as well. The Brave and the Bold will introduce a new version of Batman alongside his son and one of the best Robins, Damian Wayne.
James Gunn revealed that The Brave and the Bold will adapt Grant Morrison’s iconic run on Batman that introduced Damian Wayne. He also revealed that The Brave and the Bold will serve as the beginning of the DCU’s Bat Family. This means that other characters like Nightwing, Red Hood, and Batgirl could also be appearing in later chapters of the DCU.
1 The Authority Will Step Up As The DCU’s Main Hero Team
The DCEU initially focused on the Justice League, though the rollout of the team and related solo films didn’t work out as planned. Problems with the film led to two different versions and releases, which might have cautioned DC Studios away from the team.
James Gunn surprised everyone with the announcement that the DCU’s first heroic team will instead be an adaptation of Warren Ellis and Bryan Hitch’s The Authority. The unique superhero team originated in Wildstorm before merging into the DC universe. The Authority features some of DC’s strongest superheroes as they tried to fix a broken world through any means.
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