# DCU and Elseworlds: A Guide to James Gunn’s 2026–2027 Slate

Welcome to a new era for DC superheroes, where Gods and Monsters collide with a reorganized universe. James Gunn and DC Studios are rebooting the approach, separating the core DCU from non-cannon “Elseworlds” projects. Here’s a concise, updated breakdown of what’s on the horizon for both live-action and animated DC projects.

DCU movies

• Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow
  • Release: June 26, 2026
  • Director: Craig Gillespie
  • Cast: Milly Alcock, Matthias Schoenaerts, Eve Ridley, David Krumholtz, Emily Beecham, Jason Momoa
  • Concept: Milly Alcock’s Kara Zor-El embarks on a space-spanning adventure with Krypto as she turns 21. On the road, she crosses paths with the young Ruthye and launches a quest for vengeance. The film is described as a space adventure in the spirit of Guardians, with Momoa making a debut as Lobo.
  • Notes: Gillespie (I, Tonya; Cruella) directs; a potential cameo by Superman has been suggested.

• Clayface
  • Release: September 11, 2026
  • Director: James Watkins
  • Cast: Tom Rhys Harries
  • Concept: An R-rated body-horror origin story for the Batman villain Matt Hagen. The character undergoes a grotesque transformation following an attack and experimental serum.
  • Notes: Script by Mike Flanagan; Matt Reeves is involved as a producer, but this film isn’t tied to The Batman’s continuity.

• Man of Tomorrow (Superman sequel)
  • Release: July 9, 2027
  • Director: James Gunn
  • Cast: David Corenswet, Nicholas Hoult
  • Concept: A continuation in the Superman arc teased alongside the initial DCU launch. Gunn has hinted a larger arc that unfolds beyond a direct Superman sequel, with plans for further chapters in the “Superman Saga.” The project has been publicly teased with artwork and social posts.

• The Authority
  • Release: TBC
  • Director: TBC
  • Cast: María Gabriela de Faría (Engineer)
  • Concept: An ensemble-powered team title expected to sit within the DCU’s broader framework, drawing comparisons to Marvel’s Thunderbolts but with its own distinct flavor.
  • Notes: Progress has been slow; not guaranteed to move quickly.

• The Brave and the Bold
  • Release: TBC
  • Director: Andy Muschietti
  • Concept: The DCU’s new take on Batman, introducing the Bat-family and Damian Wayne as Robin. It’s pitched as a complex father-son story.
  • Notes: The project has faced delays and casting questions. Pattinson’s Batman is not guaranteed to appear, and the script status has been uncertain.

• Swamp Thing
  • Release: TBC
  • Director: James Mangold
  • Concept: A gothic horror origin story for the creature, inspired by Alan Moore’s The Saga of the Swamp Thing.
  • Status: Script development ongoing; Mangold remains attached as of recent statements.

• Teen Titans (title TBC)
  • Release: TBC
  • Director: TBC
  • Concept: A film focusing on the Teen Titans, with Ana Nogueira penning the script. If Nightwing appears, he might tie into The Brave and the Bold schedule.
  • Notes: In development stages with a writer engaged but not finished.

• Deathstroke & Bane (title TBC)
  • Release: TBC
  • Director: TBC
  • Concept: A project described as a shared Deathstroke/Bane story, details sparse and development fluid.
  • Notes: Very little concrete information at this time.

• Wonder Woman (title TBC)
  • Release: TBC
  • Director: TBC
  • Concept: A standalone Wonder Woman project in early stages. Potential casting discussions include Adria Arjona.
  • Notes: Nothing concrete beyond confirmation that the project is in development.

• Sgt. Rock
  • Release: TBC
  • Director: Luca Guadagnino
  • Cast: Colin Farrell, Jeremy Allen White (rumored)
  • Concept: A World War II-era adventure following Sgt. Rock and a French resistance ally in pursuit of the Spear of Destiny.
  • Status: Development has stalled and then re-evaluated; creative direction under review.

• Superman sequel (title TBC)
  • Release: TBC
  • Director: TBC
  • Cast: David Corenswet
  • Concept: A follow-up that may expand the Superman storyline in unexpected directions—possibly pairing with other DCU elements rather than a straight sequel.
  • Notes: Gunn has teased a follow-up and is actively involved in scripting, with no firm release window yet.

DCU TV shows

• Peacemaker Season 2
  • Release: August 21, 2025 (tentative)
  • Cast: John Cena, Danielle Brooks, Freddie Stroma, Jennifer Holland, Steve Agee, Isabela Merced, Nathan Fillion, Sean Gunn
  • Concept: The anti-hero returns to save the world once more. The season is positioned as a major pillar for the DCU with several cast returns.

• Krypto animated shorts
  • Release: 2026 (tentative)
  • Cast: Various
  • Concept: A set of light, family-friendly shorts featuring DC’s heroic canine, extending the Superman era with humor and heart.

• Lanterns
  • Release: 2026 (tentative)
  • Cast: Kyle Chandler (Hal Jordan), Aaron Pierre (John Stewart)
  • Concept: A “noir” cop drama focusing on two Green Lanterns investigating a murder mystery in Nebraska. Tom King and Damon Lindelof are involved as EPs; the project is described as a major event with HBO-level scope.
  • Notes: Early footage teased a live-action Lantern world, including a nod to a squirrel Green Lantern.

• Blue Beetle animated series
  • Release: TBC
  • Cast: Xolo Maridueña (from film)
  • Concept: A continuation of the Blue Beetle’s adventures in animated form, keeping the hero in the DCU orbit.

• Creature Commandos Season 2
  • Release: TBC
  • Cast: Indira Varma, Sean Gunn, Alan Tudyk, David Harbour, Frank Grillo
  • Concept: An ongoing animated monster-team series following original Season 1 characters.

• Mister Miracle
  • Release: TBC
  • Cast: Tom King (showrunner)
  • Concept: An animated series adaptation of Tom King’s acclaimed Mister Miracle comic, exploring Scott Free’s escape artist saga amid interstellar conflict.

• Paradise Lost
  • Release: TBC
  • Cast: Viola Davis (Amanda Waller)
  • Concept: A live-action prequel exploring Themyscira’s history before Wonder Woman’s birth, inspired by Game of Thrones–style storytelling.

• Amanda Waller spinoff
  • Release: TBC
  • Cast: Viola Davis (Amanda Waller)
  • Concept: A potential spinoff focusing on Waller’s shadowy missions; status described as “bumpy” and uncertain.

• Booster Gold
  • Release: TBC
  • Concept: An outright comedy series about a 25th-century athlete who uses a time machine to become a hero in the present.
  • Status: Script and casting progress have been slow, with no firm production timetable.

• Untitled Jimmy Olsen show
  • Release: TBC
  • Cast: Skyler Gisondo
  • Concept: A crime-anthology series centered on Jimmy Olsen as a host and guide to DC villains, per leaks and reporting.

Elseworlds movies

• The Batman Part 2
  • Release: October 1, 2027
  • Director: Matt Reeves
  • Cast: Robert Pattinson, Zoe Kravitz, Colin Farrell, Jeffrey Wright
  • Concept: Reeves’ epic crime saga continues in a separate DC universe. Production has faced delays, but a completed draft suggests movement toward a 2027 production window.
  • Status: Debates persist about whether this remains an Elseworlds project or enters the DCU canon.

• Constantine 2
  • Release: TBC
  • Director: Francis Lawrence
  • Cast: Keanu Reeves
  • Concept: A sequel set in the same world as the 2005 film, with Reeves returning. Script development and classification as Elseworlds have been discussed in interviews and press.

• Dynamic Duo (animated)
  • Release: TBC
  • Director: Arthur Mintz
  • Concept: An animated, puppetry-based feature exploring the friendship between Dick Grayson and Jason Todd as Batman and Robin. Produced by Gunn and Reeves.

• Static Shock (animated)
  • Release: TBC
  • Concept: An animated feature initially planned but currently facing rights-related complexities. No confirmed production date.

Elseworlds TV shows

• The Penguin Season 2
  • Release: TBC
  • Cast: Colin Farrell
  • Concept: A potential follow-up to The Batman spin-off, depending on scheduling and creative direction. Reeves has indicated “everything is on the table,” including another season.

• My Adventures with Green Lantern (animated)
  • Release: TBC
  • Concept: Follows Jessica Cruz as a student who becomes a Green Lantern when the Power Ring lands in her life.

• DC Super Powers (animated)
  • Release: TBC
  • Concept: An animated series focused on a next generation of young heroes developing their powers under mentorship at a hero academy.

• Starfire (animated)
  • Release: TBC
  • Concept: An animated series detailing Starfire’s origin and cosmic adventures, introducing allies like Crush, Fern, and Amethyst as they explore space and protect the universe.

Wrap-up

That’s the lay of Gunn’s DCU landscape across live-action and animation, with a mix of core continuity projects and ambitious Elseworlds ventures. Given the scale and the frequent shifts in development, many dates are provisional. Stay tuned for official updates as writers, directors, and showrunners lock in their plans.

[Image prompts used as simple image queries were included above to illustrate the broad categories. If you’d like, I can add more visual anchors or restructure the sections for a specific platform.]