Lanterns wasted very little time dropping a bomb on Green Lantern fans. The new DC TV series ended its first episode with the bombshell that present-day Kyle Chandler’s Hal Jordan is apparently dead. It then jumped back to let us spend more than half the season watching Aaron Pierre’s John Stewart train under his tutelage. It is a pretty cruel storytelling trick when you already know where one character’s road seemingly ends. Not everyone is thrilled, and some fans are making their opinions known, but James Gunn is defending the decision.

One fan recently confronted DC Studios co-head James Gunn directly on Threads, arguing that killing Hal after fans waited 15 years to see the character properly return to live-action showed a lack of respect for the hero. Gunn responded personally, and he very much disagrees with the idea that Lanterns has treated the beloved character as disposable. The fan wrote that killing Hal “right away” was the worst choice the show could have made after such a long absence from live-action. Gunn pushed back:

There is one phrase doing a lot of work there: “if that’s exactly what that is.” Because yes, the premiere shows John and Sheriff Kerry Kane finding what appears to be present day Hal’s body. But most of the series takes place a decade earlier, with Hal very much alive and begrudgingly mentoring John while the pair investigate a murder in Nebraska tied to a bigger alien mystery.

So Gunn has a point about the “right away” part. The audience learns Hal’s apparent fate right away. Hal himself has hardly vanished from the show. In the most recent episode we were treated to tons of Chandler’s take on the character, including the 2026 era as a body in a casket. The tease for next week’s seventh episode let us know we are going to get the uploaded hologram Hal from 2006, attempting to help John solve his own murder. Based on these story choices alone Lanterns is peak 2026 TV schedule programing in my opinion.

I also understand the fans’ frustration. Hal Jordan’s last major live-action outing was Ryan Reynolds’ much-maligned Green Lantern in 2011. Fans waited 15 years for another substantial version of the character, only for Lanterns to introduce Chandler’s take alongside a giant countdown clock hanging over his head. That is rough.

Hal also has decades of comic history, including Sinestro, Parallax, Carol Ferris and some enormous Green Lantern Corps. stories. If Chandler’s version is permanently dead by the end of the season, fans may never see this incarnation explore this rich material spanning decades of comic book publication.

At the same time, the death mystery is clearly baked into Lanterns' structure. The premiere uses Hal’s apparent fate to frame John’s story, while subsequent episodes have continued filling in their relationship and the events that eventually lead to that future. The show’s creators have also been pretty explicit that John Stewart is ultimately the character audiences will leave the season following.

But I have to say, Gunn’s wording gives me pause. “If that’s exactly what that is” does not sound accidental coming from the guy running DC Studios. Maybe Hal is dead. Maybe Lanterns has another trick waiting. That would fit with some internet chatter and theories I've seen. From dead Hal being a clone to a Manhunter, there are no shortages of possibilities in a world based on comic books. Either way, Kyle Chandler still has plenty of screen time as we head into the final two episodes of the season.

Lanterns airs Sunday nights at 9:00 PM ET/ 6:00 PM PT on HBO and streams with an HBO Max subscription.

These days, all the upcoming DC movies are under the direction of James Gunn and Peter Safran’s ever-growing comic book universe. It follows a tumultuous number of years when Zack Snyder was, and then wasn’t, the architect of the DCEU due to a ton of factors. Has Snyder had a chance to check out the new era of DC?

In a new interview, Snyder confirmed that he hasn’t seen Superman starring David Corenswet or other recent installments like Supergirl or Lanterns. Here’s why, in his words:

Snyder and Gunn are actually friends, and Snyder previously gave the new helmer of the DC universe big props for being “singular in his storytelling”. Snyder also applauded James Gunn for how “poignant and funny” his work can be, and how “great” having him in charge will be for fans. At the same time, he’s perhaps too close to it, as he spoke to on the Happy Sad Confused podcast.

Zack Snyder joined the Warner Bros. DC universe back in 2010 when he was hired to direct Man of Steel starring Henry Cavill. He then went on to make Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, which came out in the summer of 2016. It was his next project, Justice League, which ended up causing the most behind-the-scenes issues.

While he was in production on Justice League, his daughter Autumn Snyder died by suicide at the age of 20. Zack Snyder understandably left the production, and he was replaced by Joss Whedon as director. Whedon and Warner Bros. made significant changes to Justice League, and following the movie’s release, a campaign for his “Snyder Cut” took hold.

Ultimately, the four-hour cut of Zack Snyder’s Justice League was released for those with an HBO Max subscription back in 2021. Snyder has since moved on from superhero movies (no, he doesn’t want to do Marvel either) and has directed movies like Army of the Dead, the Rebel Moon films, and his latest, The Last Photograph, which just premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival over the weekend.

When it comes to the new DC Universe, there’s a lot on the horizon. Next up is a horror-centric take on Clayface coming next month. Next summer, we’re already getting the sequel to Superman, Man of Tomorrow, and Robert Pattinson’s version of Batman is set to return in early 2028.

Snyder may not have seen James Gunn’s Superman, but it sounds like he has a lot of respect for his successor. Perhaps he’ll check it out someday once he’s had enough space from the DC Universe!

James Gunn's new(ish) DCU has been subject to a fair share of criticism, especially for Supergirl, with some fans even saying that he should step out of the way. To me, that’s silly for a couple of reasons. For one, he’s barely getting started. So far, Gunn’s DCU is made up of two movies (Superman and Supergirl), and two TV shows (Peacemaker and Lanterns), all of which you can watch with an HBO Max subscription. Creature Commandos is the lone animated series thus far, but I’m going to set that aside for now.

That isn’t the only reason to give Gunn some more slack. I just happen to love the way he is approaching each character uniquely, mixing and matching genres that fit the story. I think it’s a perfect approach.

Superhero Movies, Comedy Shows, And More

All four projects in the newly constituted DC Universe have had very different vibes. Superman is pretty much a straight-up superhero movie. That’s how it should be with Superman. He’s the most famous superhero of all time; he should get the superhero treatment. The rest are far from straight-up. Supergirl is an origin story, mixed with some comedy, wrapped in a hero’s journey of a flawed character. Sure, the villain sucked, and the movie isn’t perfect, but I had a lot of fun with it, and I think Milly Alcock is fantastic in the role.

On the TV side of things, Peacemaker is a really funny, explicit comedy that holds nothing back with one of DC’s most ridiculous heroes (and I mean ridiculous in the best way). John Cena is, of course, the exact right actor to play the role, and both seasons of the show are really fun. Lanterns, on the other hand, is a buddy cop show. It’s funny when it needs to be and serious when it needs to be. The good cop/bad cop roles are a little blurred, which keeps us on our toes, but it fits both characters well and fits the vibe of Green Lantern even better.

And The Changes Keep Coming

In what could be the biggest swing of this first phase, the upcoming DC film Clayface is a body horror movie. Again, it’s a great way to introduce a villain into the universe. It might not work, but I’m betting it does. It’s not going to make a billion dollars, but that’s not the goal. The movie, which hits the 2026 movie schedule next month during spooky season, was made for a modest budget (by superhero movie standards), and doesn’t need to make Spider-Man money to be financially successful. I love the approach here.

Next summer, we’ll be getting back into straight superhero stuff with Man of Tomorrow, and beyond that…well… we just don’t know yet. We do know that there is an upcoming DC TV show centered on Jimmy Olsen called The People v. Gorilla Grodd, and it’s being described as a true crime mockumentary. Another genre-bending approach that sounds perfect for the character as played by Skyler Gisondo.

Marvel has always played it pretty straight most of the time in the MCU, and that probably played into the superhero fatigue that we’ve all felt, though Spider-Man: Brand New Day’s insane box office performance this summer has quieted down that talk a bit. Still, Marvel pretty much plays in the same sandbox for each movie, so taking a very different approach, as Gunn is clearly doing, is a breath of fresh air.

It’s still early days for James Gunn and Peter Safran’s new DC universe, but I think we’re about to reach the franchise’s most important movie yet. Yes, I’m talking about Man of Tomorrow, which is on the 2027 movie schedule. The movie has had big Adria Arjona/Wonder Woman rumors lately, and I think whatever the answer ends up being is sort of a big deal.

What’s Going On With Adria Arjona And DC

If you’re not up to speed, Adria Arjona is officially in Man of Tomorrow, which started filming in April of this year and wrapped just last month. It’s the second outing for David Corenswet’s Superman, who’s set to return alongside all our favorites from the first movie, including Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor and Milly Alcock’s Supergirl. The role Arjona is playing is being kept under wraps, but there are two popular rumors.

The word on the street is she’s either playing Wonder Woman or a villain named Maxima. As a longtime DC fan, I have to say this: if Arjona isn’t going to be Diana Prince, then WTF?

My Thoughts On Adria Arjona’s Wonder Woman

So, here’s the thing. I think the new DC universe is going to have a problem if it’s not introducing heavy-hitting characters like Wonder Woman early on. It has the sandbox to play in, so why not bring in the big superheroes people reach for first from an action-figure set? I’m not saying it should rush things, but if you have a great pick for Diana Prince like Adria Arjona and if she’s not Wonder Woman, it feels like we’re wasting everyone’s time.

Adria Arjona isn’t necessarily a household name yet, but she’s been putting out a solid run of performances between Andor and her latest film, Onslaught. As someone who’s also stood in front of her during last year’s Star Wars Celebration and spoke with her, I think the actress has the combination of quiet strength and sweetness that we want and need from Diana Prince. I think she would bring something different to the table than Gal Gadot, and I’d love her first introduction to be next to Superman. I mean, how fun!

She’s also been training hard for her mysterious DC role, saying that she has “muscles that I’ve never had in my life”. Her fitness regimen has her training for two to three hours a day and eating a “crazy diet.”

Obviously, Arjona could decide to do that with the role of Maxima, but I’d think at that point they’d just say who she’s playing rather than make it a secret, right? If it does somehow end up that she’s playing a different role than Wonder Woman, it’s going to feel like the whole lead-up was pointless to me. Again, no offense to Maxima, or whoever Arjona's character might be outside of Wonder Woman.

While I’m pretty convinced DC has made the correct choice and made Adria Arjona Wonder Woman, I’ll definitely be questioning some things about the universe if they fumble this. I mean, imagine having the perfect Wonder Woman in front of you and giving her a different role? I would never.

Anyways, Man of Tomorrow comes out on July 9, 2027. Before that, the next upcoming DC movie is Clayface, out on October 23.

With Spider-Man: Brand New Day still pulling in millions of dollars daily, it doesn’t seem extremely likely that Tom Holland will pass the webslinging baton completely over to another actor for upcoming Marvel movies anytime soon, but that day will definitely come at some point. Which means there are of course already fans hypothesizing about Holland making the leap to the DCU, and someone actually got response from co-head honcho James Gunn about it.

Amazingly enough, Gunn didn’t deliver a flat-out denial in response. Granted, his reply also wasn’t any kind of confirmation that plans are in place to bring Holland into Superman’s orbit, but anyone looking out for the most optimistic approach has something to latch onto here. Check out this fan question posed to Gunn on Threads, followed by the filmmaker’s sarcasm-imbued response.

• Q: Will Tom Holland have a DCU Role in the Future ? I can see him as Either Beast Boy, Kid Flash, Speedy, Aqualad, one of the Robins, Kyle Rayner, Brainiac 5, or Mon-El
  • JAMES GUNN: Not sure 30-year-old Tom wants to follow up Spider-Man with Aqualad.

To first speak to James Gunn's direct point...what a bizarre batch of characters to suggest for Tom Holland's DCU debut, considering most of the ones listed are teenagers or are in their early 20s. I get that it can be easy to forget Tom Holland's exact age, but just remember that he first put on the Spidey suit for Captain America: Civil War a full decade ago, so it probably wouldn't feel like a step up career-wise to jump from a "Man" character to anything more diminuative like Kid Flash or Beast Boy.

Could he pull off looking like a 20-year-old Aqualad or Mon-El? Absolutely, but he's at the point where any long-term franchise roles he takes on should probably skew older, so that he's not forever stuck playing characters so much younger than his own age.

To that end, Tom Holland might indeed be best utilized as a Dick Grayson already rocking his Nightwing persona. Considering we still don't know who the DCU's Batman is, it's not super-likely that he's already on his second or third Robin during the current DCU timeline. So even that most-likely scenario doesn't seem too likely. (Of course, the currently developing Brave and the Bold animated film is supposed to center on Bruce Wayne's relationship with son Damien, maybe the timeline isn't so predictable.

To circle back around how Gunn addressed the main question: all he did was somewhat jokingly comment on Holland probably not wanting to play a "lad" character. But did he actually provide a clear "No" to the general idea of Holland in the DCU? Not at all. Which is obviously not proof that the Spidey star will be popping up in Man of Tomorrow or anything so drastic. But it does seem to leave the door open for a possible team-up in a post-Spider-Man future.

Of course, Tom Holland made enough money to retire 100 times over with Brand New Day's massive success, so it also seems possible that he could just retire from any live-action projects that force him to break a sweat. And no judgment from me if that happens.

We're still waiting to get answers on big questions from Spider-Man: Brand New Day, and to learn what in the (off)world that post-credits scene meant. So there are definitely still stories that need to be told with Holland under the mask. But if there's a future where the actor gets courted to play Booster Gold or even the aforementioned Lantern Kyle Rayner, I won't necessarily shed any spider-shaped tears.

Which DC heroes or villains would you guys like to see Tom Holland play in the DCU's future?

Adria Arjona is officially part of James Gunn’s growing DC Movie Universe, but good luck getting her to tell us who she is playing in her 2027 movie schedule debut. Despite months of fan theories and some pretty intense superhero training, the Andor star has managed to keep her Man of Tomorrow character under wraps. At this point, the secrecy is practically becoming its own supporting character. Arjona did, however, open up about what it was like stepping onto Gunn’s set again.

Speaking with The Hollywood Reporter, the actress explained that returning to work with Gunn and DC Studios co-head Peter Safran gave her something actors rarely have on the first day of a movie: familiarity. The three previously worked together on 2017’s The Belko Experiment, which Gunn wrote and produced alongside Safran. She explained:

That has to be particularly useful when your first day involves joining a new Superhero movie, especially one as anticipated as the next entry in the Superman series.

Arjona has credited Gunn and Safran with helping launch her movie career through The Belko Experiment, long before she became Bix Caleen in Andor or starred opposite Glen Powell in Hit Man. Now she is returning to that creative relationship on a considerably larger stage. She continued:

That sounds like a pretty nice way to enter a superhero franchise where half the internet is already trying to identify you from workout comments. The Morbius star has been remarkably good at keeping her character secret.

We know she trained extensively for Man of Tomorrow, previously revealing that she was working out two to three hours a day and developing muscles she had never had before. Naturally, that sent DC fans sprinting toward Wonder Woman theories and several other possibilities, none of which have been confirmed.

Gunn has already wrapped principal photography on Man of Tomorrow, so whatever the Hit Man actress did in the movie is safely tucked away somewhere on a Warner Bros. hard drive. At least we know plenty about the company she will be keeping. David Corenswet returns as Superman, Nicholas Hoult is back as Lex Luthor, and Lars Eidinger will play Brainiac. The story will force Superman and Luthor into an unlikely alliance against the new threat.

And somewhere in there is Adria Arjona, apparently very muscular and refusing to tell us why. Honestly, I respect the commitment to secrecy. I just wish it made me less curious.

Man of Tomorrow arrives in theaters July 9, 2027, giving DC fans plenty of time to continue guessing wildly until Arjona or Gunn finally decides to put us out of our misery. Until then, you can enjoy Superman (2025) streaming with an HBO Max subscription.

DCU co-chief James Gunn recently revealed his Superman sequel Man of Tomorrow wrapped filming, and the post sent fans down a speculation rabbit hole theorizing that Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor ends up on the prison planet Salvation. Given that location’s formal introduction in Peacemaker’s twisty Season 2 finale, and that Frank Grillo’s Rick Flag Sr. appears in MoT, fans are definitely still curious to learn whether John Cena’s vigilante is getting a Season 3 or not. And James Gunn’s latest response is a thinker.

No, like, I’m talking very literally in this case. When asked on Threads if there was any chance for Peacemaker Season 3, Gunn shared this no-word response:

Let me hurry up and play the devil's advocate Negative Nancy for this one before jumping into the far more enjoyable speculation. Gunn sharing a contemplation emoji on social media is hardly proof of anything, much less a confirmation that a new season of a TV show is potentially in the works. It could just be a blanketed indication that anything technically has a chance of happening.

As well, Gunn may have just been sharing a sense of confusion over why a fan asked about Peacemaker Season 3 as a comment under a fan's post arguing that Superman's hair is supposed to be blue (as "proven" by color shading in specific instances). Gunn responded in snarky agreement, saying he'd get Man of Tomorrow's VFX team to give David Corenswet's on-screen 'do a new hue, and joked that fans can look forward to a Superman Blue Cut coming soon. I admittedly like the idea of Gunn being genuinely confused by a left-field Peacemaker inquiry coming in.

Now let's get ride of all that negativity and focus on the optimistic side of things, where we can freely assume that the filmmaker was goading followers into getting excited about seeming more from Christopher Smith, Adebayo, Harcourt, Vigilante, Judomaster and there rest in new episodes. But as other fans also suggested in the comments, I don't think that Peacemaker Season 3 is the ideal way in, and I think the organization founded in the Season 2 finale should be where the DCU goes next.

Peacemaker's crew made the hugely important comic book connection in Season 2's finale by founding the covert ops outfit Checkmate. The agency was first created by Amanda Waller as a branch of Task Force X, but was later taken over by Harry Stein, and it's run using a chess-based hierarchy, with the leaders (Kings/Queens) tasking Rooks to plan out nefarious missions, which Bishops are required to carry out, while Pawns serve in a support position.

Gunn previously addressed the idea that Checkmate connects the stories of Peacemaker and Lanterns, so it's technically possible fans could see characters from the prior HBO Max series popping up in the current one. But even if not, it seems like the org could also be utilized in other projects down the line.

Considering Gunn & Co. are spinning the Jimmy Olsen-starring HBO Max series The People vs. Gorilla Grodd as a spinoff, it's not against the rules of normalcy that DC execs could want another signature streaming series in the mix that doesn't require an all-new cast and all-new characters. And I think most would agree that, at least in terms of the storytelling so far, Chris Smith didn't have a ton of open-ended storylines to dig into for a third season of Peacemaker, so it makes sense to me that the goal (if it exists) would be to make it more of a group-based project.

But just in case everything I said above is completely off-base, I'd like to also quietly agree with the one commenter who (assumedly jokingly) guessed that the emoji was a clue that the DC villain The Thinker will be a Season 3 antagonist. The internet should always be so clever.

Without a real clue of what John Cena's Chris will be up to in the coming years, we're hoping to see him in an upcoming DC movie or two, including Man of Tomorrow, which is hitting theaters in 2027 on July 9, 2027.

Though the superhero movie rumor mill may be currently inundated with hearsay about Avengers: Doomsday ahead of the 2026 film’s release date, there is more than enough Man of Tomorrow speculation about the cast and more to go around , and I’m sure those conversations will only become more prominent as the months pass. As such, it’s always a plus when director James Gunn gives fans updates directly from the set.

Case in point: Gunn dropped quite the doozy by revealing that principal photography has now concluded for the Superman sequel, which kicked off production in April. That’ll allow for nearly a full year of pre-production and additional filming ahead of the upcoming DC movie’s release date of July 9, 2027, and is definitely worth celebrating for the cast, crew and fandom. I only wish I had a setting as gorgeous as they did to engage in such celebrating, as seen in the theory-sparking post seen below.

Nothing like a dip in some lovely waters to de-Lex Luthorize yourself. Or at least that's what I read in a book somewhere, as I'm not Lex Luthor myself. [Whistles menacingly...I mean innocently.] But wait! Is this really just an innocent look at the film's co-star cooling off, or could it possibly be a clue for the end of the entire movie?

I know, I know. It's probably the former. But here to make the case for the latter point is The James Gunn Instagram Post Comment Section. (Available to perform at weddings and other events.) Quite a few people chimed in with questions, assumptions and confident declarations that the filmmaker's pics imply that Man of Tomorrow will end with Lex Luthor being sent(enced) to the Salvation prison dimension that Peacemaker Season 2 ended on.

Comments For Salvation

• oh Lex Luthor sending to Planet Salvation? 🤔 - @alexandrematiasreal
• Salvation? - @mike_h849
• Is that where i think it could be 👀☮️ - @yvngbadger71
• That has to be Salvation - @venomhology
• Lex in salvation as the ending shot?
  Yeah I need the peak - @sanvidvaidya
• Oh this forest is DEFINITELY Salvation. - @helio.hd
• What the ?!??!? Was Lex thrown onto Salvation? - @sherry.dongg
• I would call these photos major quasi-spoilers, but I’ve been assuming said location since the ‘Peacemaker’ S2 (series??) finale. - @docdaytona_108
• Wheres my goat peacemaker - @ujjwalrko619

Could this location surrounding Gunn and his all-star crew potentially be one where Salvation-set scenes were filmed? Sure, in that it's outside in lush nature and not in the concrete jungle of Metropolis or the desolate cold surrounding the Fortress of Solitude. But it could also...just be somewhere outdoors on Earth. There's plenty of that kind of thing here, after all.

Also, I guess James Gunn could have filmed the last shot of the movie on the last day of production, and then felt safe enough to share that exact location with his social media followers, despite all of his efforts to keep spoilers as limited as possible. But is that really the most likely way that things went?

Even if this location is filmed to be Salvation in Man of Tomorrow, I highly doubt that the movie will end with Lex being sent there, if only because I don't for a second think that Gunn would show us anything this early that could realistically lead to such presumptions. So if I have to make an argument for the Salvation comments, I'd rather hope to see Lex and others show up on the pocket planet to find Peacemaker and bring him into the fight against Brainiac.

If Lanterns' John Stewart is in the mix, and also maybe possibly Blue Beetle, I don't see why John Cena's skull-crushing vigilante should be left out.

To lean even more into the conspiracy theory-ness of it all, look at the two DCU stars who commented on the post:

• STEVE AGEE: 👏👏
• ROBERT PATRICK: 👏👏👏

Both are Peacemaker stars, naturally. I don't want to go all-in on theorizing that one or more other stars from the show will be in Man of Tomorrow, but this would be a good starting point if I did. Or I guess Gunn's wife Jennifer Holland would be the best starting point. In any case, I still don't wanna.

Man of Tomorrow is set to join a bunch of other 2027 releases when it hits theaters on July 9.

The DCU is still in its infancy, with co-CEO James Gunn helping to craft a brand new shared universe for theaters (and streaming with a HBO Max subscription). The first slate of projects is titled Gods and Monsters, and there are tons of rumors swirling around upcoming DC movies and TV shows. Luckily Gunn recently debunked two of them, and I'm honestly so relieved by the news.

Gods and Monsters' announcement revealed that a ton of thrilling projects were in development, but some are coming together quicker than others. There were recently some discouraging reports about Viola Davis' Waller show, as well as Andy Muschietti's The Brave and The Bold aka the first Batman movie of the shared universe. Luckily Gunn has set the record straight.

James Gunn Debunked Rumors About Waller And The Brave And The Bold

The popularity of comic book characters means that there are tons of rumors and theories about that's coming down the line. There was chatter recently that the Waller TV show was being put on pause while Warner Bros.' possible merger with Paramount was worked out. Gunn was recently asked on Threads about the reports of various TV shows are being held, responding with:

Well, that was pretty cut and dry. Despite reports to the contrary, it sounds like Waller as well as other upcoming DC shows like Paradise Lost are not on hold. Instead they're developing as planned, although it's still unclear when we will actually see them on the small screen. But as someone who is a huge fan of Viola Davis' performances in both Suicide Squad movies and the first season of Peacemaker, I'm thrilled that we might get to see Amanda Waller finally take center stage in her own TV show.

Of course, Waller isn't the only title that James Gunn took to Threads to address. There was a report that Andy Muschietti's The Brave and The Bold movie was similarly put on hold until the possible merger was worked out between studios. Gunn similarly shut that chatter down, offering:

Excuse me while I let out a big sigh of relief. The Brave and The Bold is expected to introduce the DCU's version of Batman (and hopefully Robin as well). Moviegoers are hyped about The Dark Knight joining the newly formed shared universe, so it's heartening to hear that the blockbuster hasn't halted development after all.

Gunn previously admitted that we won't see the movie until after The Batman Part II hits theaters, so movieogers are going to have to continue practicing patience. Still, Andy Muschietti's The Brave and the Bold is still in active development, despite rumors to the contrary.

I'm invested in the DCU, so I'm thrilled that James Gunn's updates were so hopeful. Fingers crossed that both Waller and the Batman movie pick up the pace of their development.

The next DC movie hitting theaters is Clayface on October 23rd as part of the 2026 movie release list. On the small screen, Lanterns airs new episodes Sundays on HBO.

James Gunn and Peter Safran’s new DC universe is still in its early years, but it’s just officially added a new series to its roster. It kind of sounds like The Office, but set at the Daily Planet, and I’m here for it. But there’s already one character from Superman that I hope makes an appearance. No, it’s not Superman... but that’d be cool, too.

What Is Jimmy Olsen's HBO Max Show?

It was reported last year that the guys from American Vandal were going to be behind a Jimmy Olsen TV show, which James Gunn is involved in too. Now it’s official! HBO Max just put out a press release that has confirmed Skyler Gisondo’s Jimmy Olsen will lead a mockumentary-style series called The People v. Gorilla Grodd.

It will follow Jimmy as he directs his own true-crime documentary on the hyperintelligent ape from DC Comics. If you watched the ArrowVerse, you might remember the goofy character was a big villain throughout The Flash. I think this is sort of the perfect villain to make a very unserious mockumentary set in the DC universe that could be great counterprogramming from the rest of what the universe has to offer so far.

Jimmy Tatro, who was actually in Season 1 of American Vandal as well as Scream 7, You’re Cordially Invited and Theater Camp, will play Grodd. The press release also seems to suggest that Wendell Pierce's Perry White, Beck Bennett's Steve Lombard and Mikaela Hoover's Cat Grant will be in the series as well. It’s expected to be eight episodes long, and sounds like the perfect way for DC’s Superman to give fans more of the Daily Planet with our HBO Max subscriptions between upcoming DC movies.

The Superman Character I'm Gonna Need Back

My absolute favorite part about Skyler Gisondo’s Jimmy Olsen in Superman, was what was going on between him and Sara Sampaio’s Eve Teschmacher. Yes, it was a surprise among fans that Jimmy Olsen having “rizz” was a conversation that was happening around Superman, but it was so funny watching those two together. I’d love to see Eve make an appearance, even if they aren’t necessarily an item.

I mean, Eve definitely deserves better after what happened with Lex and Jimmy saying she has “shrimp toes”. But she was also hilariously the key to Lex being taken down. What if she ends up working at the Daily Planet – perhaps as their social media manager or something like that?

The People v. Gorilla Grodd isn’t going to be on the 2026 TV schedule, but DC fans can get into Lanterns. The Green Lantern series just premiered this past Sunday, and more episodes are coming out weekly.

DC's Co-CEO James Gunn has been crafting a new shared universe for years now, with projects arriving in theaters and streaming with an HBO Max subscription. But after Supergirl's disappointing box office performance, there are questions about upcoming DC movies like the Superman sequel Man of Tomorrow. Luckily, the studio's president and CEO David Zaslav recently addressed the DCU's future.

Folks who have spent years watching the DC movies in order have watched as the DCEU was left in the rearview in favor of the newly formed DCU. A full slate of projects called Gods and Monsters was announced, but fans are wondering if those plans are still moving forward after Supergirl failed to perform in theaters. During a WB earnings call (via Investing.com), Zaslav shared an update on Man of Tomorrow, offering:

There you have it. While Supergirl failed to deliver financially, it sounds like things at DC are still moving forward with a number of thrilling projects. Man of Tomorrow and The Batman: Part II are filming, while the release of both Clayface and the Lanterns TV show are coming up soon. And if Zaslav thinks DC "feels very good," then who are we to argue?

These comments are likely going to be a big relief for the fandom, who might be worried about DC after a few recent updates. In addition to Supergirl's box office woes, The Batman: Part II was delayed yet again until 2028. Later in the same earnings call, David Zaslav went on to speak about the enthusiasm of folks behind the camera on DC projects, saying:

It certainly sounds like the studio isn't feeling discouraged and is confident that there's quality content coming on both the small and silver screens. Hopefully this will offer some relief to DC fans who might have been nervous about the studio's standing. And the Superman sequel is still going strong.

Man of Tomorrow started filming back in April, and fans are eager to see the title character and Lex Luthor unite in order to save the planet from Brainiac. Milly Alcock will also be reprising her role as Supergirl in the mysterious DC blockbuster.

Man of Tomorrow is currently expected to hit theaters on July 9th, 2027. But first up is Clayface, which will arrive October 23rd as part of the 2026 movie release list. As for Lanterns, that'll premiere August 16th on HBO. Clearly there's lots to look forward to with DC.

Jared Leto is making headlines after the release of a documentary on the Oscar-winning actor. The BBC’s Jared Leto: Hollywood’s Dark Secret – includes interviews with multiple women who make claims of sexual assault and inappropriate behavior allegedly committed between 2002 and 2026. Leto has since denied the claims. Meanwhile, a tweet about Leto (54) that was shared by Dylan Sprouse years ago is now resurfacing. That post’s resurgence also coincides with more claims about Leto’s behavior off camera.

Dylan Sprouse’s Social Media Post Gains Attention Again

The social media message from now-33-year-old Sprouse was originally posted back in 2018 on X (then known as Twitter). In it, the former Disney Channel star specifically tagged Leto’s since-deleted account and accused Leto (who was 46 at the time) of having sent direct messages to multiple female models between the ages of 18 and 25. Sprouse’s post can be seen in its entirety below:

Since it was posted, Sprouse’s response has garnered hundreds of comments and, as of this writing, it’s amassed over 37,000 likes. Exactly how many of those comments and likes were just recently added amidst recent allegations against Leto is unclear. However, some are evidently citing the Beautiful Wedding star’s post when talking about Leto now. One X user recently shared a screenshot of Sprouse’s message and along with a since-deleted response from filmmaker James Gunn:

As of this writing, neither Sprouse nor Gunn have further addressed the comments they posted years ago. In the meantime, claims about the way Leto purportedly conducts himself in his personal life are still coming down the pipeline.

A Bartender Shares Claims About An Encounter With Jared Leto

Bartender Gracelisa Akers recently spoke to Page Six about meeting Leto in April 2011, at which point she was 25. Akers said she met Leto while she was working at a Michigan-based bar known as The Orbit Room. Per Akers, an interaction was initiated after Leto purportedly sent a member of his team to let her know he wanted to talk to her. The Little Things star apparently elbowed Akers, telling her he was a “germaphobe” and, in time, they exchanged numbers, with the star also inviting her to his dressing room.

Akers eventually went to the room, where fellow bar staffers and Leto’s bandmates were apparently present and, upon seeing her, the Masters of the Universe star “immediately beelined” for her. It was Akers’ belief that Leto “was looking for a hook up,” but she was not interested in that. Of that evening, the bartender went on to allege:

Akers then alleged that Leto began to get handsy and “irritated” as his crew prepared to leave for Denny’s. Allegedly, Leto “cornered” Akers at her car and tried to convince her to skip the restaurant and just hang out alone. Akers told him she felt “uncomfortable” and eventually left, though she also claimed the actor subsequently sent her texts and photos, including a picture seemingly taken after Leto had taken a shower.

In addition to claims like Akers’, behind-the-scenes stories involving Jared Leto’s supposed conduct on movie sets has also made the rounds as of late. Such claims include “odd” requests as well as behavior supposedly linked to Leto’s method actor mentality. Whether other claims or past posts like Dylan Sprouse’s or James Gunn’s will resurface remains to be seen.

Alan Ritchson has been in seemingly just as many conversations about Batman as some of the actors that have played the DC vigilante, with fans rallying for James Gunn to cast him as the DCU’s Dark Knight. There’s a time when that maybe could have happened, but Ritchson’s latest comments poured water on the Bat-rumors, in light of a potentially different path forward with DC Studios.

While promoting the fourth season of Reacher at San Diego Comic-Con, Ritchson formally addressed his current DC situation before thousands of people, as seen in our post below.

For those unable to watch the video, here's how he clarified things (while still technically keeping the Batcave door open):

In the days ahead of SDCC, Ritchson confirmed that he and James Gunn have been talking, which is likely part of the reason why he took the time to address it on stage, but didn’t tip his cowl towards any of the other characters who might be up for contention, or even if he’d be more interesting in joining an upcoming DCU movie or something on the studio’s TV side. But that’s okay, because fans have puh-lenty of ideas for characters that the Motor City star should embody in live-action.

DC Characters That Fans Want To See Alan Ritchson Play

• Hawkman, Captain Atom, or Wildcat would all be great roles for Alan. - @brettofbakerstreet
• I’m hoping for the New God Orion😍 - @wondervaughn_1
• He’d be the best Shazam. Man on the outside, big kid on the inside! - @zxanajae
• Bane for sure - @klarcjwilson
• Booster Gold! Bet me! 🙌 - @firechkn00
• Aquaman please - @sincerelyyoursvic
• Green Arrow. - @levelupboxing
• The other character is…Bruce Wayne. - @lorcanaman
• Buff joker incoming??? - @ryzmechaa
• He would be a great “Azrael” - @kingfaouaz

I mean, hand to Detective Comics #27, I'd welcome Ritchson in literally any one of the roles mentioned above. Though Green Arrow would probably be my bottom choice, if only because Oliver Queen isn't always meant to be a brickhouse of a human being.

The most likely, perhaps, would be Wildcat, in that Ritchson would be able to spotlight his muscles and fisticuffs without an abundance of CGI and green-screenery. (I assume, anyway.) And the actor hasn't dismissed potentially playing Wildcat the way he has with other roles.

Personally, I'd love to see him in the role of Azrael, but that would require the DCU getting to a point where adding the religion-fueled behemoth to the narrative makes sense, and we're certainly not there yet without a Batman.

Booster Gold would be the best character for Ritchson to get to play up his comedic charms as one of the more ego-driven and oblivious DC superheroes. It'd also be great to see this completely modern looking dude zipping through time streams and showing up at different points in history.

To be sure, almost every one of the heroes and villains mentioned above was suggested by a variety of commenters. (Okay, maybe Buff Joker was just a one-off.) So there are more than enough people hoping for each potential outcome. But then of course there are those who still want the Reacher actor to play the Caped Crusader, even if it isn't the one we've all grown up with.

• I think he’s the only man that can play Absolute Batman rn - @xiamcellx
• Ok not Batman… buuuut…. Maybe the voice of Absolute Batman👀 I can see it, he has the voice - @aye_itzjordan_
• He can definitely be Absolute Batman 🙏 - @raafiqirtaza
• Absolute Batman is the only thing that fits!!! - @datoneguyplayscards

At this point, the wildly popular Absolute Batman comic series is being adapted into an animated series, so the actor would only be able to lend his voice to the role in that capacity, rather than in live-action where his build could be utilized. But then, Bruce Wayne is still in his 20s in that timeline, which essentially rules Ritchson out, especially if there aren't even plans to make a live-action version anytime soon.

Though it's still too early to know if we'll see Alan Ritchson showing up in the DCU in any upcoming 2027 movies, I'm fairly confident James Gunn will figure out a way to get him on the big screen with the quickness. (And no, that's not a winking nod suggesting he should be The Flash, although it would be scary as all hell to see that dude running at you at full speed.)

There’s been a whole lot of chatter about Alan Ritchson and his potential to play Batman in the DCU, and he’s actively been a part of that conversation. However, now he’s put it to rest (for now). That’s because, at San Diego Comic-Con, he fully addressed the rumors, noting that while Bruce Wayne is probably out of the equation for now, his conversations with DC are by no means over.

This comes just days after Ritchson made suspicious comments about Batman and DC, saying that “the future is bright, and the horizons are broad.” However, during Reacher’s panel at Comic-Con, he was a lot clearer about the Caped Crusader specifically, saying:

Again, there’s been a ton of chatter about Ritchson and Batman, specifically. So, this statement from the actor is huge, because it essentially puts those rumors to rest, while also making it clear that a new kind of speculation can begin. To hammer that point home even further, he said:

Well, that answer sounds definitive, so it seems Bat-fans can finally lay down their speculation caps. Check out Ritchson's address during the panel:

This all came after Ritchson said he was booked until 2028, and the moderator made a comment about Batman. The Reacher star cleared the air once and (seemingly) for all. He’s not playing him. However, he is also still very much in conversation with DC.

He’s made it apparent that he and DC’s boss James Gunn have talked, and he’s excited to potentially work with him. They just have to find the right character first. Well, it seems like they have someone in mind…it’s just not the one we all thought it could be.

That’s exciting in its own right, though, because a door full of possibilities just opened. Like, maybe he could play Orion or Hawkman or even Captain Atom. So, while it seems like we won’t see Ritchson in a DC project for a while, and we very much will not see him as Batman, it feels like someday he will step into a superhero (or maybe villain) costume.

If you’d like to see Alan Ritchson actually in action while we wait for updates on the superhero front, you can watch him as an action hero in Reacher. That’s the show he was at Comic-Con for, and Season 4 is set to premiere on the 2026 TV schedule on August 12 for those with a Prime Video subscription. It’s also already in production on Season 5 (proving just how busy Ritchson is), so we’ll likely see more of him as Jack Reacher before we see a DC project from him.

However, if there’s anything you should take away from this story, it’s that Alan Ritchson’s future with DC is very much bright, and they have someone in mind for him to play (it’s just not Batman).

Few upcoming horror movies have my attention perked quite like DC Studios’ first official horror movie, the James Watkins-directed Clayface. Even if we didn’t learn anything else about it prior to its October release, I would still be first in line to watch the upcoming DCU release with glee to spare. But that’s thankfully not the case, as the cast and creative team have shared new details about where Matt Hagen’s story fits in the overall timeline, and what to expect from this new Gotham City. (Check out the full-length Clayface trailer here!)

With several months to go before we get to see Tom Rhys Harries take shape in the 2026 movie release, EW spoke with the actor, DCU co-head Peter Safran, James Watkins and more about what to expect (lots of body horror) and what not to expect (Batman). James Gunn’s partner in crime(fighting storytelling) finally confirmed the biggest question that we’ve had since Clayface’s first teaser trailer dropped.

Where Does The Clayface Movie Fit In The DCU Timeline?

Peter Safran confirmed that there won't be any complicated scenarios involved here, and that everything we're seeing play out in Clayface takes place prior to the events of Creature Commandos Season 1. So does that mean the live-action character we'll see is the same entity crushing out in the HBO Max animated series? According to Safran:

It's a strange and potentially tricky line for DCU characters to exist in such a way across both live-action and animation, but I suppose so long as no one expects to see Frankenstein or G.I. Robot in the movie, there's not that much room to get it wrong.

I can't wait to see if the Clayface movie features any easter eggs that are relevant solely for fans who watched Creature Commandos. James Watkins confirmed that there will be plenty of nods to DC characters and lore, even if it's all meant to be background fun.

Watkins also points out that even though this Matt Hagen is the same one that Alan Tudy voices in the streaming series, and who totally survived the Season 1 finale, the creative team "pinched elements from all over the place" by way of inspiration. Plus, screenwriter Mike Flanagan has talked about the villain's introduction on Batman: The Animated Series as being a huge influence.

James Watkins Talks Bringing A New Gotham City To Audiences

One of the strangest things about Clayface being the third live-action DCU movie is that it will be responsible for introducing viewers to the latest version of Gotham City, one of the most iconic fictional locations of all time. And we'll get to walk down its streets and explore its seediness long before we're introduced to the DCU's Bruce Wayne and Batman. As such, the pressure is on.

James Watkins said he and James Gunn had ideas for where they wanted to bring focus to the well-established setting, saying:

Just going from the teaser alone, I can think of several shots lit by tungsten bulbs, which can instantly make a shot feel like it's in the middle of downtown. And when it comes to perhaps more recognizable parts of the city that high-profile characters may inhabit, Watkins made sure to pepper them in a way that won't ruin the narrative immersion. As he put it:

I cannot wait to visit, and I hope nobody will be offended if I don't choose to move to Gotham City permanently. Too rich for my blood.

Clayface is set to hit theaters on October 23, and I am really hoping that it exceeds all expectations in light of Supergirl's box office woes. Not because I'm worried about the DCU, which Safran confirmed isn't in trouble, but because I want DC Studios, Marvel and others to recognize that embracing horror is a great way to tell new stories while also saving a few dollars.

We’re all used to Big Brother players shouting out family members and friends during their live votes each week, but now and again, one of them will drop a reference that makes you do a double take. This week, that person was Rick Devens, who said happy birthday to his daughter, said hi to his wife and son and then name dropped popular director and DC executive James Gunn. Initially, most fans thought it was just Rick being goofy, but it turns out there’s an entire backstory here.

Rick and James Gunn apparently know each other in real life. In fact, there was a plan for Rick and his family to appear in the background of the upcoming Superman sequel Man Of Tomorrow, which Gunn has been on-set directing the past few months. Prior to the shooting day, however, Devens called Gunn and told him he wasn’t going to be able to come anymore for a reason he wasn’t allowed to share. That reason was obviously he was going to be sequestered in the Big Brother House.

Gunn posted a video of Devens shouting him out on Big Brother over on Threads, and when fans asked what the connection was, he talked about knowing Rick in a series of messages. He also said that even though Rick missed out on the Superman shoot, his family did not…

Everyone, even James Gunn, likes being shouted out on television, but the excitement here no doubt ran a lot deeper because Gunn is a noted OG Big Brother fan. As such, that reference definitely hit harder than it would have otherwise. I’m sure he’s loving this season too, given he’s got a friend on the show and also, it’s been objectively a glorious mess so far.

Part of the reason why it’s been such a mess has been Devens himself, who doesn’t know how to do anything other than play hard. He was a menace on both of his seasons of Survivor, finding idols and getting up to all sorts of weird schemes. There aren’t any Idols on Big Brother, but there are plenty of opportunities to cause chaos. To the surprise of no one, Rick has taken advantage of those, forming multiple alliances and taking part in what’s rumored to be one of the wildest nomination ceremonies in the show’s history, which is going to air this evening.

You can catch Devens on Big Brother throughout the Summer, which airs new episodes several times a week on CBS. You can also tune into the live feeds at any time, which are streaming on Paramount+. As for Man Of Tomorrow, you can catch James Gunn’s newest a little less than a year from now on July 9th, 2027. Sadly, Devens won’t be a part of it, but we can all look for his wife Becca and their kids in the background.

Supergirl’s disappointing opening weekend at the box office and its unfortunate drop-off obviously weren’t the most celebratory outcomes for DC Studios’ second movie. A stumbling block like that isn’t going to send James Gunn and Peter Safran’s DCU toppling down, though, especially not with Man of Tomorrow set to release in 2027. So let’s forget about all that so I can address why I absolutely need Clayface to crush when it hits theaters this year.

Just like Gotham City’s dark and danger-filled streets stand apart from all the sunlit worlds that Kara and Ruthye went to, my hopes and dreams for James Watkins’ body horror are only tangentially related to Supergirl’s financial situation. I’m already thinking about what the future will hold, and how much attention Warner Bros. will be eager to invest in it all.

Clayface's Success Will Hopefully Fast-Track Other DC Horror Projects Like Swamp Thing

The biggest reason why Clayface's potential success doesn't really relate to the Kryptonian cousins is because their films are big-budget PG-13 spectacles, while Matt Hagen's story is a more modestly financed, R-rated horror movie. Two different audience bases, two different ratios for what "success" means at the box office.

Reportedly costing around $40 million, Clayface is hitting theaters during a year that's already been gigantic for horror (albeit on the indie side), and theoretically won't have nearly as much trouble making that money back as any superhero saga that goes over $150 million would. I'm not even sure the hard R rating will have that much of an impact, since younger crowds likely wouldn't be clamoring to watch this anyway.

As such, I believe that if (and when) the Tom Rhys Harries-starring horror destroys box office predictions and makes profits galore, all the Warner Bros. and DC Studios execs will be that much more confident to quickly go into development on other mid-budget projects based on other DC horror faves.

A Swamp Thing movie is the biggest goal here, which James Mangold has been attached to, but without a ton of noteworthy updates. (Just get it made while Vincent D'Onofrio can still do it.) As well, Constantine director Francis Lawrence and star Keanu Reeves have both spoken positively about returning for a sequel to that 2005 release. (Not that it's automatically grandfathered into the DCU, but still.) Both of those examples might require more CGI money than Clayface, but there are ways to craft. those stories to limit pricier digital FX.

The sky is the limit, though, by way of other DC horror projects that could get consideration if Clayface fares well. All of the comics from Joe Hill's Hill House line would make great features, from Basketful of Heads to The Dollhouse Family. Deadman and Spectre movies? Zatanna? A Victor Zsasz faux true crime doc? I'll take them all, please and thank you.

Clayface Succeeding Could Open The Door To More Mid-Budget Movies Outside The Horror Genre

Okay, so using a picture from Bruce Campbell's Sgt. Rock vs. The Army of the Dead may not have been the best example to veer away from horror, but it's still relevant because of the previously delayed Sgt. Rock movie that's still reportedly in development. It's possible that several of the DCU projects that James Gunn is producing are in holding patterns until there's enough excited forward momentum to make them priorities for Warner Bros.

Despite being a war-centric character, Sgt Rock doesn't need to be a $200 million production. And neither would projects centering on movie-worthy characters such as The Question, Poison Ivy, Harley Quinn, and many more. Hell, a Gotham Central movie or series wouldn't necessarily be any more expensive or complicated than a network TV procedural or big screen crime drama.

But for any of that to happen, I'm thinking everyone involved behind the scenes needs a big jolting reminder that fans are hungry to see these kinds of stories on the big screen. And there's no reminder more reliable than dollar signs. So, TLDR: go watch Clayface in theaters, probably more than once, and with everyone you know.

The DCU's first villain-fronted film is set to be released on October 23, 2026.

Supergirl, starring Milly Alcock, hit theaters last weekend as the latest superhero movie on the 2026 movie schedule, and with it, we’re officially multiple films into the somewhat newly revamped DC Universe, led by James Gunn and Peter Safran. Maybe predictably, a lot of people don’t like the movie and are already calling for Gunn’s firing…or something. To be honest, sometimes I just don’t get the complaints. The movie has underperformed at the box office, but I don’t think that means it's time to scrap the whole project, and you need look no further than the early days of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

The MCU Didn’t Exactly Light The World On Fire At First, Either

Like the new DCU, the MCU kicked off with a hit. DC had Gunn’s own Superman last summer, and Marvel had 2008’s Iron Man. The next Marvel release, The Incredible Hulk starring Edward Norton, dropped a month later in June 2008. Marvel was on a high, and still, Hulk disappointed at the box office, much like it appears Supergirl will. Two years later, in May 2010, Iron Man 2 came out, and while it did fine at the box office, it’s usually one of the lower-rated MCU films.

It really wasn’t until the first Avengers movie was released in 2012 (taking in more than $1.5 billion) that the MCU really started flying high. Sure, all the movies released before that, including Thor and Captain America: The First Avenger, did decent, but they weren’t the juggernauts that MCU films would be throughout the rest of the decade. After 2012, and especially in the Avengers movies, the MCU crushed all competition, including, and especially, the sputtering DCEU.

There Are Other Factors Involved

This isn’t a perfect analogy, of course. In 2012, the world was gaga for superhero movies, but 14 years and about a million movies later, some people are understandably burnt out on the genre. Superhero movie fatigue is real, and I think that’s at play here. The reaction to Supergirl has been way harsher than it deserves. It’s not a perfect movie, I grant you. The villain is pretty ho-hum, and it is a little jarring, tone-wise, compared to Superman.

However, as others at CinemaBlend have said, it’s a perfectly fine movie. It’s funny, it’s heartfelt, Alcock is great, and it skips along at a brisk pace (and a reasonable runtime). I thought it was funny, in the same way that Gunn’s Guardians of the Galaxy movies are. In fact, I think the whole thing bodes well for the DCU, which is clearly going for something very different than the MCU (at least, as different as you can be in the same genre). Up next is a straight body-horror movie with Clayface, which will be out in October, before we get the sequel to Superman, Man of Tomorrow, on the 2027 movie schedule.

I think after next summer we’ll have a much better idea just where the DCU stands and what kind of future it has. Calling for a shakeup now is impatient.

Supergirl – the latest film from DC Studios – has generated plenty of discussions since its release as part of the 2026 movie schedule, and not all of it has been good. While early reactions to the latest DCU movie were mostly positive, audience and critical reception has been mostly mixed since, and the film is now flopping at the box office. Various film pundits have seemingly been analyzing the situation, trying to assess what happened. Now, insiders are sharing claims about early test screenings, and they were allegedly less than stellar.

As is the case with many major studio films, Craig Gillespie’s Supergirl was subject to test screenings, which are used to test the waters in regard to what hits and what doesn’t hit for audiences. It was reported back in October that DC Studios Co-CEO James Gunn held a secret screening for executives and some close friends. That aside, THR recently reported that Gillespe’s latest movie was marred by creative differences with Gunn, one of the film’s producers and, as a result, the post-production process was supposedly hectic.

Insiders also alleged that the Milly Alcock-led superhero film ultimately had at least four official test screenings held between December 2025 and March 2026. The test scores are tallied out of 100 points, and sources claimed the movie “never escaped” the 60s. However, another source claimed the best score the movie attained was a 70. Yet an additional insider provided a different alleged take, as they claimed the film achieved test scores in the low 70s by the winter after changes were made to the cut.

Still, creative disagreements apparently persisted for different reasons, including the film’s music (and that final-battle needle drop). THR’s sources alleged that, in time, a second cut of the film was produced by the studio and was put into a “bakeoff” with Gillespie’s cut. Apparently, Gillespie’s version was 11 minutes longer and included more of Matthias Schoenaerts’ Krem of the Yellow Hills (the film’s thin and MCU-esque villain). After both cuts screened, scores reportedly dropped all around, but the studios’ won out by only two points.

The test screening process can definitely be tedious but, in many ways, it can help indicate how an audience will respond to a film. As for creative disagreements, those can happen as well, and the results can vary. Per a source, a bakeoff “happens more than you think, but it’s not normal.” Regardless of what really happened behind closed doors between Gillespie, Gunn and co. from a creative standpoint, insiders said most of Supergirl’s test scores were in the 60s, which are the scores that fellow DC flicks Shazam! Fury of the Gods and the scrapped Batgirl also apparently earned.

Supergirl’s box office debut was lackluster, with the film only earning $38 million domestically during its opening weekend and finished those first few days with $68 million worldwide. The domestic number was notably below expectations, which had the film earning between $39 million up to $55 million. For context, the film reportedly has a $175 million production budget, and it needs to make somewhere between $315 million and $375 million to break even. As for how the film will perform during this 4th of July holiday weekend, Forbes is forecasting a 73% drop and $10 million domestic haul.

The poor reception to Craig Gillespie’s film isn’t deterring DC Studios, though. Co-CEO Peter Safran acknowledged that the movie’s performance wasn’t what was hoped for, but he emphasized that it was only one part of a larger plan for the DCU. And, per Safran, he, Gunn and his colleagues remain hopeful about their strategy. To that point, Milly Alcock will reprise her role as Kara Zor-El in Gunn’s Man of Tomorrow, which opens in theaters in 2027. I’d imagine execs are hoping for higher test scores when it comes to that movie.

James Gunn is known for putting his brother, his friends, and even wife Jennifer Holland in the movies and TV shows he creates and produces, and I had to know more about why. In an industry where Hollywood nepotism is always making headlines, Holland offered a different explanation as to why Gunn puts people he likes in his movies.

CinemaBlend caught up with Holland, who spoke to us on behalf of Milkbone about their dog, Ozu, being the inspiration for Krypto in Supergirl and Superman. Holland, who plays Emilia Harcourt in the DCU and voices one of Superman's robots in the Fortress of Solitude, told us exclusively that casting friends helps James Gunn feel less lonely in filmmaking:

James Gunn casting his brother, wife, and others isn't just done to boost their resumes. I'd never considered that the tremendous amount of time he spends making movies takes away from time with his loved ones, so he makes sure he can work with them as much as possible. In the meantime, them being on set means he can spend some time with them in between the days spent toiling on a movie, which is really smart.

Holland continued talking about how much Gunn enjoys bringing in people he knows to work on movies, and how that factored into Supergirl. She spoke about their rescue dog, Ozu, and how the real-life story of their experiences with him inspired him to create Krypto's storyline:

Krypto the Superdog is one of the most entertaining characters of the DCU thus far, as as Jennifer Holland mentioned, that's because he's inspired by James Gunn's real-life pet Ozu. As a rescue pet, the dog had some habits that would give most owners trouble, especially if he had superpowers. Even without superpowers, Holland confirmed that Ozu could be quite feisty, but stressed that his rambunctious behavior didn't mean he was a "bad dog."

In many ways, Krypto represents a theme of Supergirl. In that, one doesn't have to be perfect to still be a good person. Milly Alcock's character may not be quite as polished as her cousin, but her unique style and brand makes for an engaging character which Gunn finds interesting. If the goal is to make each hero have their own distinct personality, I can only imagine how a future Justice League movie will look.

Of course, the DCU is a hot topic as of late, as Supergirl's box office take has some questioning how long the ride will last. I'm hoping the movie doesn't slow the momentum of Gunn building this universe, though ultimately, I think most studios know a stumble or two is to be expected on the way to creating something bigger.

Supergirl still has a chance to bounce back, and people can see it in theaters right now. Go to see Krypto, and see just how wild Jennifer Holland and James Gunn's pet Ozu was, with some additional special effects.

What is going on right now? Seriously, what is going on? I can’t navigate my browser anywhere on the Internet without stumbling into five takes about how Supergirl is hot trash in a cape. The weird thing, though, is that I’ve seen Supergirl, and it’s not hot trash in a cape. It’s just the latest mediocre superhero movie in a long line of mostly mediocre superhero movies that we’ve gotten in the last five years. So, why are we all acting like this one is uniquely problematic and offensive?

I saw Supergirl like two weeks ago at a screening in St Louis that was filled with like ninety percent randoms and ten percent press. I had a pretty good time. My wife had a pretty good time. A co-worker I went with and his buddy both had pretty good times. All of us thought it was a nice enough way to spend (less than) a couple hours.

I didn’t have individual conversations with everyone else in the crowd, but their general reactions seemed to match our feelings too. Everyone seemed to stay engaged. They laughed moderately at most of the jokes, leaned forward in their seats at the appropriate times and the bits of conversations I picked up leaving the theater were all blandly positive. It was like we all collectively gave it a weak thumbs up.

On my way home (before I started driving), I texted my buddy who is a big superhero fan. This is the exact copy of the message I sent him…

I assumed most reviews would fall somewhere in the 2.5-3.5 out of 5 range, and I was right. If you look on Rotten Tomatoes, the majority of them are mixed bag positives, but to my surprise, there’s a solid minority that are extremely, almost aggressively mean. That negativity (even from some huge outlets) is also mirrored on social media, where thousands of angry posts are accusing Supergirl of being some kind of embarrassing disaster. I’ve seen quite a few going a step further and saying DC needs to examine whether its entire new James Gunn franchise is even working because of how bad this movie allegedly is.

Wait, what? Maybe this is the moment where people just collectively decided they were sick of watching run-of-the-mill superhero movies, and Supergirl was the unlucky victim of that pent-up anger? Maybe fans and critics are willing to be a lot meaner and say things they wouldn’t normally say because it’s about a female superhero? Maybe DC fans have higher expectations than Marvel fans? Maybe some of the people commenting haven’t actually seen the movie and are just riled up about comments people involved made on the press tour?

I don’t know what’s going on. I’m not going to try and get in the heads of other people, but I will say that everyone I know who has seen the movie in real life, that didn’t go in with an obvious agenda, thought it was fine enough.

Fine enough as in a mixed bag. Alcock and Momoa are both quite good. Her dynamic with Superman works well, and there are a lot of fun individual scenes that keep the momentum up. That being said, there are also clearly some problems here. Most of the characters are a little one-note. The villain is weak. The soundtrack makes some odd choices. The stuff about Supergirl's backstory doesn't hit as hard as it should because not enough time is spent on Krypton.

It's definitely not The Dark Knight or even Avengers 1. It's a lot closer to something like Ant-Man And The Wasp, but instead of people talking about it like it's Ant-Man And The Wasp, they're talking about it like it's Superman IV or Ghost Rider II. It's not. Don't listen to the people telling you it is. The truth is Supergirl is fine enough. It's the latest mediocre superhero movie in a long line of mostly mediocre superhero movies, and while that's not ideal, it's better than what you've been hearing.

After this past weekend, I dare say it will be tough for any future 2026 movie releases to “win” a Worst Needle Drop poll, because public opinion seems to have placed that crown atop the wind-blown blonde hair (and headphones) of Supergirl, thanks in large part to the third act’s much-criticized climactic fight sequence. The action plays out to the tune of Jimmy Eat World’s 2001 single “The Middle,” or rather a revamped cover of that track from Kelty Greye and KidMotel, and the sequence has underwhelmed audiences.

Okay, that may be overly smoothing things over. That choice of song, for one reason or several others, severely rattled people in ways that are normally reserved for baffling casting choices and head-smacking character choices. So to learn that director Craig Gillespie, screenwriter Ana Nogueira & Co. went through around 45 song options before landing on “The Middle,” well that was just a bridge too far. When asked by Rolling Stone about landing on that particular soundtrack entry, the creative duo shared:

• ANA NOGUEIRA: Oh, God. It went ’round and ’round, didn’t it? There were a lot of options.
• CRAIG GILLESPIE: That was probably the biggest discussion. And it was down to the very last week, and I gotta give James credit for that one.

Two major details to take away from that, I’d think. One, that this decision stayed unfinalized until nearly the last minute, and two, that James Gunn got the hat tip for the suggestion. Although I dare say DC fans clocked that second fact the moment the song started. Or even when the movie started. Or when the first trailer was released. (I’m sure some people think he’ll be responsible for curating soundtracks for every upcoming DCU movie under his umbrella.)

The pair were then asked if they’d specifically commissioned the cover to use in the movie, and I’m not sure if it’s better or worse that it wasn’t. As Nogueira and Gillespie put it:

• ANA NOGUEIRA: No, I think we just found it.
• CRAIG GILLESPIE: But there were probably about 45 songs that went against that scene.

It is wild and more than a little stress-inducing to think about watching any movie scene set to 45 different songs. And I would love to know what the full rundown of songs was, even though that'll likely never come to light. But now it's time to bring in the fan comments.

Audiences Did Not Hold Back Disdain For Supergirl's Use Of "The Middle"

Obviously Supergirl's lower-than-expected box office debut can't be entirely blamed on the film's music, but you might think that was the case judging by some of the pointed complaining and lambasting happening on Reddit in response to Gillespie's admissions. Here are some of the more clearly stated takes.

• Worst part of the movie for me, wrong choice by far - @darthmcchub
• It’s clear Gillespie was trying to do a James Gunn impersonation, anyone saying otherwise is lying to themselves. - @Ok-Wash-9386
• I was thinking if they were gonna incorporate needle drops, why not have it be a different sound than what Gunn usually does. Like if Supergirl is a party girl she should listen to EDM and the soundtrack should be a bunch of that - @dismal_windfall
• Ive probably never cringed so bad at scene in a movie in my life tbh. It was such a weird choice. Like there’s no way anybody who makes movies for a living looked at that and said this looks and sounds phenomenal… - @Spiritual_Duck318
• I'm of the opinion that the film shouldn't have had any needle drops at all. I actually like the main theme they cooked up for Supergirl. The scene would have worked a whole lot better (and the rest of the movie too) if they used it. - @DoctorBeatMaker
• This movie really reminded me of the Mario movie with how out of place and unnecessary the needle drops were. - @HyrulesKnight
• Yeah The slomo 360 scene with a pop song in the background was just a worse version of the one from Gunn’s Superman - @who-dat-ninja
• They should have either went with the Supergirl theme or cashed in their synergistic marketing chips and blasted "Call Me" during that sequence. Using "The Middle" (especially that rendition) just didn't work - @Flat_Fox_7318

Honestly, I would have bet all kinds of money on a remixed rendition of Blondie's "Call Me" being utilized for Supergirl's brawl with Krem and his army, and am still gobsmacked that it didn't happen that way. Maybe this will be a situation where somehow the rights to that cover of "The Middle" will default, and it'll get replaced by something else down the line. Is that situation something that ever happens? But can it?

Let's give it up for the one commenter who gave Craig Gillespie and James Gunn a (Krypto-approved) bone and lightly defended the use of the song for thematic purposes...before then echoing another commenter's d-mning non-praise.

• Kara was protecting the girl throughout that scene so it makes some sense that “everything will be alright”. That’s where the relevance starts and ends though cause I never physically cringed at a needle drop more in my life. - @chrisychris-

I guess it's sometimes better to be remembered for something rotten than to be so boring that no one remembers anything at all. But it's arguable.

As far as Supergirl's actual ending goes, I was a fan of how it changed up Tom King's comic resolution, and set Kara up as a powerful counterpart to her morally stoic cousin in Man of Tomorrow, and it'll be interesting to see how much she does or doesn't get along with the newly power-suited Lex Luthor.

The last weekend of June was supposed to be a huge one for the DCU, with Milly Alcock’s Supergirl taking flight in theaters, bolstered by the cigar-puffing chaos of Jason Momoa’s Lobo. Unfortunately for all involved, the Maiden of Might took a whooping at the box office, with Toy Story 5 winning out by a wide margin and maintaining Buzz and Jessie’s #1 spot from the previous week. Surprisingly enough, James Gunn’s DC Studios co-chair Peter Safran has already spoken out about the lackluster results.

Following weeks of drooping ticket-sale projections, Supergirl’s first weekend of release brought in $38 million domestically, as well as an additional $30 million from around the globe. That $68 million total is obviously nowhere near the film’s reported $175 million budget, and it would take Obsession-levels of word-of-mouth recommendations for the superhero flick to save face in follow-up weeks.

Peter Safran didn’t exactly sugarcoat the financial details when addressing the situation in a statement shared with the New York Times, but he also didn’t pull all of his hair out due to stress. As he put it:

I do think it's meaningful that Peter Safran acknowleged the studio execs' expectations being defied by low audience turnout, and that he didn't try to spin it as a net positive or anything. Gloating is obviously out of the question, but in 2026, I would much rather hear a plain-Jane, down-the-middle reaction than anything skewing hyperbolic in either direction.

To that end, I also appreciate the fully expected confidence that Supergirl's box office isn't going to implode DC Studios, and that the future is still looking bright. (Or at least the horizon is, if not the point in the deeper future after Paramount takes over Warner Bros.) The phrase "sophomore slump" wasn't invented with this movie, and it won't be the last Hollywood franchise release to get tagged with it.

The Pressure Is Now On Clayface, But It's Not Nearly As Much Pressure

Peter Safran mentioned DC Studios' "broader, long-term strategy," but I think even he would agree that the DCU's long-term success requires the number of profitable releases to be higher than the number of non-profitable releases. (Which isn't to say Supergirl can't still make some kind of a profit someday.) So now all eyes are on the nearest upcoming DCU movie, the even more outside-the-box Clayface.

Being an R-rated body horror is automatically working against Clayface, at least in terms of four-quadrant box-office potential. (As a horror nut, I'm drooling out of my faceholes for it.) Having a lesser-known lead like Tom Rhys Harries puts a cap on the reach this might have. Howeverrr...

Going the horror route without A-list stars means director James Watkins could make Clayface for a reported budget of around $40 million, far less than what those Kryptonians' movies cost, and theoretically far easier to make back during and after its October debut. So there are definitely reasons to feel good about this movie's chances regardless of what Supergirl did.

For what it's worth, I'd give Supergirl a soft 3/5 stars. I really enjoyed the characters and world-building, and think the ending was a great way to set up Kara in Man of Tomorrow. (Krem is a zany lunatic.) On the flip side, I wasn't nearly as into a lot of the direction and story beats, so it's more of an up-and-down experience than straightforward enjoyment.

If there is one word I would use to describe Supergirl, it’s “fun.” The film, which hits the 2026 movie schedule this weekend, has a very James Gunn vibe. It’s not directed by Gunn or written by him; those credits go to Craig Gillespie and Ana Nogueira, respectively. Still, Supergirl feels more like Guardians of the Galaxy than anything in the pre-Gunn era of the (formerly) DCEU, and not just because of the brisk runtime. Gillespie and Nogueira definitely put their imprint on it, but the new DC Universe already feels more cohesive than anything DC has done before, outside of The Dark Knight Trilogy.

That Humor And Those Needle Drops

To be sure, Supergirl has some very poignant moments (though some people seem to disagree with that) and doesn’t shy away from some pretty heavy themes playing out with Milly Alcock’s Supergirl/Kara Zor-El. However, it’s also filled with great jokes and funny moments. In that respect, it feels very much in the style of Guardians or Peacemaker (the first DC show created by Gunn). Some of the humor is raunchy, and the language is definitely PG-13. I loved all of that. It made the emotional moments more powerful and kept the movie chugging along at a great pace.

Then there are the needle drops. One reason I really love Gunn’s work on comic book movies is how great he is at picking songs. Bringing back a somewhat overlooked track from a quarter century ago in Superman with “Punkrocker” by Teddybears, featuring Iggy Pop, was brilliant. While Supergirl doesn’t really reach that deep into the annals of pop culture, adding some bangers by great current artists like Wet Leg, Wolf Alice, and Halsey feels perfect.

Where Will The Future Projects Fall?

One of the things the MCU really got right when it was firing on all cylinders was keeping a cohesive vibe, no matter who was directing or writing whichever movie was coming out. The DCEU was all over the place in that respect. Gunn, Gillespie, and Nogueira seem to have made a conscious effort to focus on this in the new DCU. The sum of the parts should add up to something. How this will work going forward will be fascinating to see.

Up next for DC television shows is Lanterns, which will hit the 2026 TV schedule in August, and the next DC film to be released will be the body horror Clayface in October. Lanterns is being described as having a detective show vibe, while obviously a horror movie like Clayface is unlikely ot have many lighter moments, but I can’t wait to see how they fit in here. The 2027 movie schedule includes Man of Tomorrow, the sequel to Superman, written and directed by Gunn, so I do expect that to bring the same energy as these first two movies.

All in all, I can’t wait to see this universe continue to expand and evolve, and I’m trusting the hand of Gunn more and more.

Major spoilers below for the newest DCU movie Supergirl, so limit your super-senses if you haven’t yet watched.

Anyone who thought Supergirl would be one of those 2026 movie releases that sparks absolutely zero backlashes and gripe-filled tirades, the past week or two much have felt like pure hell. Reviews for the comic book adaptation have seemingly skewed far more negative than positive, with gobs of DCU skeptics quick to rain down the hate. I had a pretty good time overall, and enjoyed the characters more than the story, with my own biggest issues stemming from the myriad changes made in adapting Tom King and Bilquis Evely’s A+ comic miniseries.

Not all the alterations felt like kryptonite suns, to be sure, and I actually think the vastly different ending that caps the live-action version was the best move possible for Milly Alcock’s Supergirl future. But I’ll get to that after talking out some of the other changes.

I Was Surprised And Disappointed By Supergirl Skipping Over So Much Of Tom King's Storytelling

I'm a diehard fan of Tom King's writing most of the time, and while I understand that Supergirl's mass-market appeal meant we wouldn't get Ruthye's lofty and veering narration throughout the movie, I was gobsmacked by how many other elements from the source material were apparently absent from Ana Noguiera's screenplay. Though in retrospect, it's indubitably obvious why Woman of Tomorrow was removed as the film's subtitle.

To be sure, the basic idea of Ruthye's tagging along with Supergirl on a revenge mission to take down the murderous Krem is intact, as are some other elements like the green sun taking Supergirl out of commission during a pivotal time for Ruthye. But a lot of the poignant time-jaunts and side-stories that make King's narratives so rich on the page were replaced with more generic FX-driven battle sequences. Understandable, I guesssss. But not ideal.

Beyond the ending, the other obvious "change is good" exception is Jason Momoa's expertly visualized Lobo, who steals every scene he's in just by being a sneering mountain of enging-revving chaos. Ah, but this is still only a half-exception, since King's original idea for the comic's arc did include the immortal Czarnian. (I also really liked Matthias Schoenaerts' bonkers performance as Krem in a vacuum, but don't think it tops the comic's villain.)

I Think Changing Supergirl's Ending Was Absolutely Necessary For The Future Of The DCU

The final issue of Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow starts of seemingly like it would be perfect fodder for live-action, then makes a leap that just doesn't happen in mainstream movies. (Spoilers for that ending for anyone who wants to avoid them.) Here's the heavily summarized version.

Ruthye has the smack-talking Krem captured as her hostage, and then lets him go for a one-on-one fight where she emerges victorious, but she's unable to bring herself to kill him. Supergirl then returns, and has a heartfelt talk with Ruthye that also quells her own urges to kill Krem. In a distant-future epilogue, Krem is released from the Phantom Zone as a repentant and haggard shadow of his former self, begging an elderly Ruthye for forgiveness. Her response is merely to thwack him with a cane and leave him to dwell in his shame and regrets.

A brilliant and meaningful coda that works without question in the comic book medium, but is so not Hollywood. Plus, that flash-forward was the perfect end for King and Evely's story, and without the impetus to set seeds for the future. Not the case for Supergirl, which needed to build up Alcock's return in Man of Tomorrow. So it was smart to change things for with an in-the-moment ending for the film.

More importantly, I love that Kara takes the moral high ground by stopping Ruthye from staining her conscience with Krem's murder, and then doesn't need to be pushed very hard into killing Krem herself. That cold-blooded act truly puts Supergirl into another category from her Kryptonian cousin (and presumably the DCU's eventual Batman), and justifies the "anti-hero" description that has been used by Gunn & Co. to describe her.

The fact that Lobo is so approving is a good sign that Kara's malicious actions would go over horribly with other protagonists. Which is a very smart building block (theoretically) to set up going into Man of Tomorrow, which will have Superman quasi-teaming up with Lex Luthor to stop Brainiac from destroying everything. Kara obviously leans closer to Clark than Lex on the moral scale, but the fact that she exists in the space between them will no doubt make them a joyful trifecta when the Gunn-directed film drops.

I already can't wait to watch Kara get sh-tfaced with Jason Todd and talk crap about their respective hero mates while sharing war stories. Even if that only ends up happening in my anonymous fan-fic. I mean, in someone's anonymous fan-fic.

Supergirl is currently in theaters, and all kinds of comic books written by Tom King are currently in stores and libraries and on your smart friends' shelves. Read 'em.

DC Studios just announced three new upcoming TV shows set to hit streaming in the near-ish future, and while the whole lineup sounds interesting, one title immediately made fans lose their minds. Mine included.

The news came out of the World’s Finest Animation: DC Studios and Warner Bros. Animation Showcase at the 2026 Annecy International Animation Film Festival, where DC Studios co-chairman and co-CEO Peter Safran and Warner Bros. Animation president Sam Register helped lay out what is coming next for DC animation. Among the biggest reveals: Joker: Laugh Riot, Absolute Batman and a new untitled Krypto series are all on the way.

DC later shared the trio of logos on Instagram, which, honestly, makes for a pretty great visual summary of the announcement. Check out the post below:

Joker getting a series is not exactly shocking, since the Clown Prince of Crime has remained popular across comics, DC movies, TV and games for decades. Krypto getting an animated show also makes sense, especially with James Gunn’s Superman era putting the super-dog back in the conversation with the first chapter of his new DCEU. The super pooch was a standout in last year's Superman and is slated to appear in the 2026 calendar release, Supergirl. But Absolute Batman? That is the one that made me sit up.

I Am All-In On An Absolute Batman TV Show

For anyone who has not been following the comics, Absolute Batman is part of DC’s fairly new "Absolute" line, which reimagines major heroes with fresh mythology and altered foundations. This is not the traditional Bruce Wayne most casual fans know. It is not simply another version of the billionaire detective with a Batcave, a butler and enough money to turn trauma into a full-time urban warfare brand.

The official description puts it pretty bluntly: “No manor, no money... all Batman.” The animated series will reimagine the Dark Knight as a working-class hero fighting impossible odds, wealth, corruption and some seriously terrifying foes. Scott Snyder, who writes the comic, will serve as executive producer and showrunner, while artist Nick Dragotta is attached as a producer.

That is a major reason this feels like such a big deal. Absolute Batman is not some forgotten elseworlds idea pulled out of a longbox. It is new, hot and already a monster on the comics side. According to the press release, the series has sold more than 6 million copies, Absolute Batman #1 has reached an 11th printing, and all Absolute titles, including Absolute Batman, rank among the top 10 best-selling comics of 2025.

Fans React to DC's Announcement

Fans seemed just as thrown and excited by the announcement as I was. Some of the best reactions included:

• bengalgram: “🔥🔥🔥🙌”
• Batman: “The clown? Really?”
• jef_seg: “have you ever danced with the devil in the pale moonlight?”
• biggyxay123__: “someone’s upset their arch Nemesis is getting a tv show😎”
• supergirl: “That’s my good boy 😎”
• superman: “Found the dog!!”
• blake_koala: “Bro!!! Absolute Batman animated series😭”
• martycipher: “ABSOLUTE BATMAN⁉️⁉️⁉️⁉️⁉️⁉️⁉️⁉️”
• official_supernerd: “I NEED THE ENTIRE ABSOLUTE UNIVERSE IN ANIMATED FORM 🗣️”
• ramen.noodles.22: “Oh these look pretty ni- ABSOLUTE BATMAN????”
• eljoscarlos: “The Absolute Batman series must maintain its gruesome comic nature 👀🦇”
• btartist98: “Wonder Woman deserves an animated series 😭”

That Wonder Woman point is fair. Batman fans have had plenty of animated projects over the years, from classic Bruce Timm series to current shows like Batwheels and Batman: Caped Crusader. A proper Wonder Woman animated series still feels overdue.

Still, the Absolute Batman excitement is hard to ignore. The big question now is how closely the animated series will stick to the comic's tone. A watered-down version would miss a lot of what makes this Bruce feel different in the first place. If DC is going to adapt Absolute Batman, the series needs to lean into the size, grit and street-level rage that helped make the comic stand out.

That is why animation could be such an interesting fit. It can exaggerate this Batman’s size, movement, brutality and Gotham’s atmosphere in ways live action might struggle to make look natural. If DC really leans into the comic’s intensity, this could be the rare Batman page-to-screen adaptation that actually gives longtime fans something new.

The Annecy showcase also touched on other DC animated fare, including Mister Miracle, My Adventures with Green Lantern, Starfire, Creature Commandos and Batman: Caped Crusader. So this was not just a three-title announcement. It was a wider look at how aggressively DC and Warner Bros. Animation are building out that side of the universe.

Joker: Laugh Riot also sounds like a major swing. The adult-targeted anime series follows Joker after Batman’s apparent death, as he sets out to track down whoever robbed him of his greatest obsession, which is exactly the kind of chaotic premise that could either be incredible or completely unhinged in the best way. A Krypto kids’ series sounds charming too, with Superman’s dog teaming up with a group of misfit wannabe criminals and, somehow, accidentally steering them toward doing the right thing. But Absolute Batman is the one I cannot stop thinking about.

There are currently no release dates or networks set for the new series. But once they arrive, fans will likely need an HBO Max subscription to watch them, since they are Warner Bros. properties and that's where new DC animation tends to land.

Summer is the time for blockbusters, and nothing says popcorn flick quite like superheroes. The DCU’s second feature Supergirl is set to hit the 2026 movie calendar this weekend. First reactions to Supergirl praised Milly Alcock as the titular character, but now that reviews are out, the general consensus has been different. In fact, one critic has gone viral after completely lambasting the film.

So what's happening? And what are reviews saying?

One Critic’s Reaction To ‘Numbingly Flat’ Supergirl Causes Backlash

Supergirl reviews have dropped, but drawing nearly as much attention as the movie is Variety critic Owen Gleiberman and his strong disdain for the movie. And I mean strong. In his review, he calls the upcoming DC movie “super-horrendous,” saying it has the “worst script I can remember.” In his words:

He goes on to say he’s shocked that director Craig Gillespie was even capable of making something so “generic in its action and its attitudinizing.”

The backlash against the critic came quickly, particularly for one of Owen Gleiberman’s paragraphs that discussed Milly Alcock’s appearance, and people fired back on X (Twitter), writing:

• idk what movie you watched but I hope you get that hug you so desperately need. – hopsgeeknews
• Its fine not liking a movie but some of those digs seem pretty unprofessional like damn – TweetsByDM
• Criticising a woman’s look is your movie review? Fucking pathetic – EverythingDCU_

Not all of the comments aimed at the critic were so nice (or appropriate for repetition). One common refrain is that while it’s OK — and typical — for critics to disagree about a movie, Owen Gleiberman’s assessment is way harsher than those of his counterparts.

What Other Reviews Say About Supergirl

The majority of Supergirl reviews seem to fall kind of in the middle — not mind-blowingly great but not a disaster, either — like the low-stakes fun you often expect from a summer movie. CinemaBlend’s own Mack Rawden and Jessica Rawden had a pleasant experience at their screening, writing:

• Mack: Just a nice, fun crowd pleaser that pretty much anyone can enjoy. Really liked Milly, as well as the humor.
• Jessica: What Mack said, plus the runtime is so tight, which I personally appreciated. No bloat. I laughed out loud at Momoa’s lines in particular many times. It’s the perfect summer movie.

Other reviews seemed to fall more in line with these thoughts, as Tim Grierson of Screen International writes in his review:

Zaki Hasan of the San Francisco Chronicle also has an overall positive takeaway from an admittedly imperfect movie:

Amelia Emberwing at The Wrap also calls out Supergirl’s “muddled” action and says Jason Momoa was wholly unnecessary in this movie. Despite its faults, however, the heart of the movie remains intact throughout. Her review reads:

Last year's Superman was, indeed, more well-received than its followup, earning a Certified Fresh 83% on Rotten Tomatoes, compared to 57% for Milly Alcock’s flick. Just like the score, most of the reviews are in that middle range — and Supergirl’s box office projections aren’t A+ — but it’s clear that many don’t believe it’s bad enough to warrant such overly negative feedback.

Supergirl hits theaters Friday, June 26, so be sure to grab yourself a ticket so you can form your own opinion.

Summer is always a big time for blockbusters, and the 2026 movie calendar is certainly giving us a little bit of everything — we’ve got Star Wars, we’ve got a new Toy Story, and both the MCU and DCU will see representation. In fact, Supergirl is just the second feature in James Gunn and Peter Safran’s DC Universe, making the first reactions to the upcoming superhero movie especially important to fans. So what are people saying?

Last year’s Superman gave us a glimpse of the Man of Steel’s more jaded cousin Kara Zor-El (Milly Alcock), but now we’re moving far beyond that drunken cameo, and those who have caught an early screening have some pretty strong opinions about both Alcock as the titular antihero and Jason Momoa as Lobo. According to Drew Massey:

One X (Twitter) user says Milly Alcock proves she’s worthy of not just leading the DCU’s second movie but of carrying the future of the franchise. There are even aspects of Supergirl than this fan liked better than David Corenswet’s Superman:

Fay Watson of GamesRadar is one of many people getting Mad Max vibes from Supergirl, and she only wishes this kind of superhero flick would been available when she was a teenager. Watson says:

Germain Lussier of Gizmodo disagrees that the upcoming DC movie is better than Superman, but he does concede that it’s the “perfect” follow-up, with stronger characters that drive the movie’s emotional stakes. In the critic’s words:

Erik Davis notes an aloofness to Milly Alcock’s Kara, which was reflected in her informal attire at the Supergirl premiere. Davis posts:

Early reactions really are heaping praise on Milly Alcock, while all signs point to Jason Momoa having a blast as Lobo. Chris Killian of ComicBook.com writes:

Junior Felix of That Hollywood Show also calls the actress “perfect” for the role, and his only complaint about Lobo is that there wasn’t enough of him. Felix writes:

Brandon Davis admittedly isn’t as high on the superhero flick as others, though Milly Alcock doesn’t seem to be the issue at hand. Davis explains:

It’s encouraging to see so many positive responses to Milly Alcock and Jason Momoa in Supergirl, and now I’m even more pumped to see what the reviews have to say when they come out next week. The movie hits theaters on Friday, June 26, so get ready to grab that Lobo popcorn bucket (if you can call it a bucket) and reserve that ticket.

Method-dressing was at an all-time high around the time Margot Robbie mainstreamed Barbiecore and Zendaya wore literal Dune armor, mimicking C-3PO on the red carpet. I feel like the color scheme for Supergirl would have made method dressing easy, but the effortless Milly Alcock and co. weren’t having that. Instead, they stepped out in *gasp* less formal wear.

Take a look at the Brazil red carpet stop for Supergirl at Museu do Amanha in Rio De Janeiro earlier this week. (Yes, the event that also yielded that Gorilla Grodd news.) Milly rocked sheer socks, a sheer top, a miniskirt and reasonable heels. It’s stunning. It also honestly looks pretty comfortable. I don’t type the word comfortable in celebrity fashion stories very often.

The thing is, the early aughts are back in, and do you know what I remember most about those years? Movie premiere red carpets were a breezy, informal affair. Stars would show up in clothing you could conceivably purchase at a store. Think Hilary Duff crashing Lindsay Lohan’s Freaky Friday premiere.

Basically, looks were still aspirational, but obtainable. Choices were way less curated and the vibes ran the gamut, and that seems to be what the entire Supergirl team on hand went for here. Check out Peter Safran, Milly, writer Ana Nogueira and Craig Gillespie.

It was a different time, and the Supergirl crew seems to want to be bringing it back. I honestly don’t hate it. I love a good method-dressing moment, don’t get me wrong, but James Gunn’s been trying to bring “fun” to the DCU for a while. It’s been a stark contrast to what Zack Snyder was trying to do with his vision. The vibe’s fun, the movie’s fun, the fashion’s fun.

Plus, we don't all need to be hiding behind dumpsters to keep voluminous dresses a secret. Yes, I'm looking at you Emily Blunt in Devil Wears Prada 2.

We’re just getting started on the Supergirl press tour, and I’d have to imagine at least one of these events will be a bit more jazzed up. I’m OK with a full length dress or two making an appearance (jury’s out on any capes), but I do kind of like how Noughties this press tour is feeling so far. Method dressing is not out in the least, but I’m digging the vibe here. It works for this movie.

James Gunn knows comic book fans will inspect every inch of a new superhero movie for the slightest easter egg or "plot hole" or inaccuracy. That is part of the deal with a new DC film universe. Every costume choice, power detail and background prop becomes a debate. Luckily, he seems more than willing to answer the tiny questions with the exact kind of comic book logic that makes these worlds fun in the first place.

Recently, Gunn took to Threads to respond to a pair of fan questions about Kryptonian biology and superhero practicality, and both answers were delightfully comic book-y. One fan asked how Superman could shave if his skin is basically invulnerable, while another wondered how Supergirl, who is soon to headline her very own 2026 movie release, could have pierced ears if she is bulletproof. He did not treat either question like a problem. Instead, he leaned straight into the lore, replying:

This was in response to the fan who joked about Superman having a beard and shaving. Along with his response, the DC Studios co-head posted an old comic panel of Clark using his heat vision to burn away his facial hair, reflecting it off a piece of Kryptonian material.

Honestly, that is exactly the right answer and exactly the right energy. Of course, Superman shaves by bouncing laser eyes off alien metal. Why wouldn’t he? We are talking about a man who flies, wears a cape to work and gets his power from sunlight. At some point, asking for normal grooming rules feels pretty ridiculous.

The best part is that this is not even a new explanation. Comics have been solving these little practical problems for decades with wild confidence. Superman can’t shave with a normal razor? Fine, give him a Kryptonian mirror and eye lasers. Done. Next question.

If Supergirl Is Bulletproof, What’s With The Earings?

The Supergirl question needed a slightly different answer. A fan pointed to an image of Milly Alcock’s Kara Zor-El and asked how she could have ear piercings if her skin is bulletproof. Gunn explained in another Threads post that the answer had already been covered in her drunken Superman cameo. Here's what the filmmaker had to say:

That is a clean answer, and it does more than just shut down the piercing question. It also gives us a little extra texture for this version of Kara. She is not just a girl version of Clark Kent/Superman. She is her own character with her own distinct upbringing, and her relationship to power was different; apparently, there was a window when ear piercings were not a physics problem.

This Is The Kind Of Nerdy Specificity DC Needs

What I like about Gunn’s responses is that he is not swatting fans away but meeting them on their terms, with comic book precedent at his side. These questions are kind of goofy, sure, but they also come from people who are paying attention because they care deeply about the property and these characters. If fans are wondering how Kal-El shaves or how Supergirl got her ear piercings, it means they are already thinking of these characters as part of a functioning world.

Superhero franchises are usually at their best when the big emotional moments and the little quirky rules feel like they belong together. Stuff like being weak under red sunlight, using heat vision for shaving, and dealing with Kryptonian teenage issues aren't the main focus, but they add those fun details that make the world feel more real and lived in.

The former Guardians of the Galaxy franchise helmer has always been good at finding the sweet spot between absurdity and sincerity. His best comic book movie work understands that the genre can be deeply emotional and deeply ridiculous at the same time. These posts land in that same pocket.

The next DC entry in James Gunn’s Chapter One: Gods and Monsters is Supergirl, landing in theaters on June 26. Be sure to check your local listings for showtimes and tickets. In the meantime, stream Superman and other DCU titles using an HBO Max subscription.

The superhero genre continues to be wildly popular, and is showing no signs of slowing down. Fans are paying attention to upcoming DC movies, as well as the TV shows that are part of co-CEO James Gunn's new shared universe. The first slate of projects is titled Gods and Monsters, and includes the second season of Peacemaker. Gunn recently teased fans about that show's possible connection to Man of Tomorrow, and now fans are salty in the comments.

Peacemaker Season 2 retconned the DCEU, with a few aspects of the first season carrying over to the newly formed DCU. Over on Threads Gunn was asked by a fan if we'd be seeing Jennifer Holland's Emilia Harcourt, to which he said:

This is obviously a joke and reference to the fact that he and Holland are married in real life, but fans immediately responded in the comments of this Threads post. Because since Man of Tomorrow has been filming since April, some folks originally read Gunn's comment as a confirmation that Harcourt might appear in the Superman sequel. Some of the responses to the filmmaker read:

• i just miss the 11th street kids, give me some crumbs cmon
• You know that’s wrong. I thought I was seeing Emila again on Friday for some reason and got excited. That’s foul James. I miss peacemaker 😩
• I wanted new peacemaker content and I did a full peacemaker rewatch 5 days ago
• She’s training for MOT?
• Poor Eagly, Adrian, Adebayo, Economos, & Harcourt have been without Chris for 2 years while he’s stuck in Salvation because of Rick Flagg Sr.

Clearly there's a ton of love for the cast of Peacemaker, including Jennifer Holland's Harcourt. The Season 2 finale ended on a huge cliffhanger, with John Cena's title character captured by Rick Flag Sr. and left on Salvation, a pocket universe meant to be a prison for metahumans. He was its first resident, and one can only imagine how he's been faring once more inmates were dropped off by A.R.G.U.S..

In addition to Peacemaker's fate, the Season 2 finale also saw the 11th Street Gang and their new allies form the agency Checkmate. So there are a ton of questions about the entire cast of characters that fans are eager for closure on. But exactly when we'll get answers remains to be seen.

It's currently unclear if Peacemaker will return for Season 3, and Harcourt or anyone else will actually appear in Man of Tomorrow. Hopefully we get answers sooner rather than later.

Man of Tomorrow is currently expected to arrive in theaters on July 9th, 2027. Since it's not part of the 2026 movie release list, we're going to have to try and be patient and wait for news.

The superhero genre continues to be wildly popular, and moviegoers are definitely invested in upcoming DC movies, given how co-CEO James Gunn crafted a brand new shared universe. Superman was the first movie entry in that franchise, and its sequel Man of Tomorrow is already filming. Some photos from the set have started arriving online, and they confirmed a detail about David Corenswet's hero that I'm hyped for.

The first slate of DCU projects is titled Gods and Monsters, and Man of Tomorrow will be only the fourth movie installment in the burgeoning shared universe. Fans who have been watching the DC movies in order are invested, and set photos hitting Twitter have seemingly confirmed Superman will be wearing the same suit from his first movie in the forthcoming sequel. And personally I'm thrilled by this decision.

In the photos we can see David Corenswet suited up as Kal-El, doing some wire work as the Last Son of Krypton. While the quality of the Twitter footage isn't HD, he's pretty clearly waring the same suit that we saw in Superman.

It's common for superheroes to get new suits with each new movie, especially if the studio is also trying to sell toys and other types of merch. But it looks like Superman isn't going to change his look in Man of Tomorrow, making his third appearance in the same suit (including his appearance in Supergirl).

James Gunn shared the first Man of Tomorrow set photo back in April, so the cast and crew have already been working for months. And while he recently debuted Lex Luthor's Power Suit, the latest update is about what Kal-El will be wearing in the forthcoming blockbuster. And it looks like James Gunn is keeping it consistent with David Corenswet's Superman costume. Hey, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Not much is known about what Gunn and company have planned for Man of Tomorrow, but the filmmaker did tease that Superman and Lex Luthor will end up teaming up in order to vanquish a common enemy. That antagonist is the iconic villain Brainiac, who will seemingly be enough of a threat to Earth that these two former foes end up putting aside their differences.

All will be revealed when Man of Tomorrow hits theaters on July 9th, 2027. Since it's not part of the 2026 movie release list, fans are going to have to be patient while waiting for more information. In the meantime, Supergirl will arrive in theaters on June 26th.

Man of Tomorrow is officially filming, as the upcoming DCU Chapter 1 installment kicked off production in Atlanta this past April. Unsurprisingly, writer/director James Gunn has been keeping fans in the loop with occasional behind-the-scenes tidbits. The filmmaker’s latest tease is quite a doozy, though, as he revealed the first look at Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor in his power suit. My excitement over this first look is through the roof, and it can only be matched by the various fans who’ve since reacted to Gunn’s post.

Gunn showed off the sweet-looking costume by way of a post he shared to Instagram on Monday. The simple shot shows Hoult clad in Luthor’s classic green armor while standing on sand against a dimly lit background. Gunn shared this show “live from the set of Man of Tomorrow,” I have to say that this is a “fit check” I can certainly get behind. Check out the post for yourself and try to contain your excitement afterwards:

This live-action variation of Lex’s armor – most commonly known as a “warsuit” in the comics – looks pretty much as some would probably imagine. Nevertheless, that doesn’t in any way dim the hype I’m feeling for this aspect of the upcoming superhero movie. Clearly, I’m not alone as plenty of admirers took to the comments section to share thoughts of approval. Take a look at some of the glowing responses:

• I can’t stop smiling. 😍- heyitsjennalynn
• THE WAR SUIT! Nicholas looks incredible!🙌🏽🔥 - giselle_barajas1234
• Lex is looking 👌 - dcworld_
• The cosplayers (including me) will have a hard time paying for a suit like this 🥹 - n4traven
• This looks like it was literally ripped straight out of a comic, I feel like a kid on Christmas!! 😍❤️ - kaleightalty
• Wow. Now this is amazing. Can’t wait to see Lex flying around and fighting in his armor. 😍 - wondervaughn_1
• In James Gunn we trust 🙏🏾🥹🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 - dreallenmusic

Lex Luthor’s warsuit made its formal debut within the pages of Action Comics #544 in June 1983 and, over the years, Luthor has used the armor in an attempt to match Superman’s abilities in battle. I’ve enjoyed seeing various iterations of the suit over the years and, honestly, my first experience with it was the version worn by the DC Animated Universe’s Lex. That version greatly differs from that of the comics, from which the DCU outfit takes major inspiration. James Gunn and his production team’s apparent dedication to replicating the costume is definitely admirable and much appreciated.

Since Gunn’s Superman sequel was announced, plot details have locked up tighter than any trinket in the Fortress of Solitude. The information that has been revealed, though, suggests that the Man of Steel will have to team up with Luthor in order to take down the villainous Brainiac (played by Lars Eidinger). Gunn has also shared some details on Luthor’s future in this continuity, and what’s exciting is that it sounds like he’s keen on making him a layered character as opposed to just a mustache-twirling antagonist.

The notion of Nicolas Hoult’s Lex and David Corenswet’s Supes working together delights me to no end, and I can’t wait to see how that plays out on the big screen. And, with the reveal of the suit, it’s clear to see that Luthor will have some serious assistance whenever he comes across any kinds of threats. I want to go into this film as clean as possible, of course, though I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want James Gunn to drop any additional cool BTS photos in the lead-up to the release next year.

Man of Tomorrow is set to open in theaters on July 9, 2027. In the meantime, check out Supergirl, which opens this coming June 26, and stream Superman and other DCU titles using an HBO Max subscription.

Euphoria Season 3 has offered up more than a few surprises, and that’s saying a lot for a show that’s generally known for having wild twists and turns. Amid Rue’s dabbling in high-stakes drug dealing and Cassie’s OnlyFans journey, there have also been some surprising pop culture references. Earlier this season, fans were treated to a 90 Day Fiancé nod, but what’s even more surprising is that the latest episode includes Superman in a way. Since then, DC Studios’ James Gunn has even responded to the nod.

One of the newest additions to the Euphoria cast this year is the legendary Sharon Stone, who plays network exec Patty Lance. The seventh episode of the season, “Rain or Shine,” features a scene that takes place in Lance’s office that’s located on the Warner Bros. Studio Lot. And one particular shot of the office shows a large Superman standee in Lance’s workspace, which is modeled after David Corenswet’s version of the Man of Steel. Take a look at the sweet Easter egg for yourself:

Such an unexpected DCU reference is cool enough on its own, but Gunn’s response is definitely the icing on the cake. The co-CEO of DC Studios was prompted to weigh in after Threads user @princejdcu shared a photo of the scene and referred to the backdrop as Gunn’s real-life office space. Journalist Brandon Davis then chimed in, saying that the office actually belonged to co-CEO Peter Safran. After that Gunn weighed in with his funny comment:

Seriously, I never would’ve expected Euphoria to have a DC reference of any kind, yet it makes sense that the show would utilize Gunn and Safran’s office. The Sam Levinson-created drama series is produced by HBO Entertainment, which is owned by Warner Bros. Discovery, so that would explain the crew’s ability to film on the studio lot. However, is it weird that I now want to know what Rue, Jules or Cassie think about Gunn’s critically acclaimed Superman film?

There’s, of course, a reason James Gunn is apparently “never” in his office, and that’s because he remains busy in the field. Even now, he’s currently overseeing filming on Man of Tomorrow, which is the follow-up to his Supes film. The upcoming superhero movie also represents another installment in DCU Chapter 1, which is moving right along. Plot details are being kept under wraps, but what seems certain is that the movie is poised to further kick this new continuity into high gear.

As for Euphoria, the show may or may not be reaching the end of its run, as it’s yet to be confirmed whether its third season will also be its final chapter. There are still those who seem to be holding out hope that Season 4 might still happen, though. More immediately, there’s only one episode left in this season and, whether or not, it closes out the series as a whole, I’m led to assume it’ll offer some big moments. I’m also curious as to whether or not that episode will nod to other pieces of pop culture, superhero-related or not.

Watch the season finale of Euphoria, which airs on HBO at 9 p.m. ET on Sunday, May 31. The episode will also be available to stream with an HBO Max subscription, and that membership also provides access to James Gunn’s Superman and more DC content.

The superhero genre continues to be wildly popular, but things are still in flux on the DC side of things. Co-CEO James Gunn has been crafting the DC Universe, with the first slate of projects titled Gods and Monsters (and streaming with a HBO Max subscription). Fans have endless questions about which actors will play roles in upcoming DC movies, and Tom Cavanagh recently offered his two cents about either him or his Flash co-star Grant Gustin reprising their roles in the newly formed shared universe.

The Flash show (which is streaming with a Netflix subscription) ran for a whopping nine seasons on The CW. Plenty of fans who watched the DC movies in order had hoped the cast would be able to play those roles on the big screen, but it never happened in the DCEU. In CinemaBlend's interview with Cavanagh about the Acorn series You're Killing Me, he spoke about the idea of Grant Gustin playing Flash in the DCU, joking:

Points were made. Grant Gustin has expressed interest in reprising his role as Barry Allen/ The Flash in the DCU. And as Cavanagh pointed out, who wouldn't want to work James Gunn on a superhero project? The Ed actor counts himself, and is actively campaigning to play his role Reverse-Flash in the burgeoning shared universe. I mean, can you blame him?

It's currently unclear who will be playing The Flash in the DCU, as the new shared universe is still in its infancy. There are countless theories and suggestions coming from the fans, including Grant Gustin. During our same talk with Cavanagh, he explained why his co-star would be great in DC role. In his words:

James Gunn is similarly nerdy by nature, so it certainly sounds like he and Grant Gustin would get along. Whether or not the Glee alum is actually given a role in the DCU remains to be seen, but it's definitely fun to see just how well-versed he is in the source material. No wonder he made such a memorable Barry Allen.

Despite how long Grant Gustin played The Flash, he never got to go from the small to silver screen. Fans were especially bummed when he didn't even get a cameo in the Flash movie. Tom Cavanagh went on to share how much both he and his co-star would like to join the DCU in any capacity, offering:

He's certainly not playing hard to get. But with the possibilities of the new DCU fairly endless given its infancy, why try to put yourself into one slot? Both Gustin and Cavanagh have proven themselves with genre work, so perhaps they'll get their wish and be hired by James Gunn for a future role. Fingers crossed.

The Flash is streaming in its entirety over on Netflix, while the DCU lives on HBO Max. As for Tom Cavanagh's new series You're Killing Me, that'll premiere May 18th on Acorn as part of the 2026 TV schedule.

The DC Universe is still in its infancy, but it's been making plenty of headlines. Co-CEO James Gunn has been crafting a new shared universe, with the first slate of projects titled Gods and Monsters. Fans have countless questions about the upcoming DC movies, including the Superman sequel Man of Tomorrow. And Gunn might have just confirmed that a fan favorite character will be back in the forthcoming blockbuster.

Superman performed well in theaters, and is currently available ot stream with a HBO Max subscription. One of the movie's stranger characters was Mr. Handsome, a creature created by Lex Luthor that resided in his pocket universe. Gunn posted from the set over on Threads, and heavily implied that weird monster would be back for Man of Tomorrow. Check out the post for yourself below:

Well, this certainly hints at Lex Luthor's creation is going to be making an appearance in Man of Tomorrow. Either that or it's an insider joke about Mr. Handsome's scene-stealing appearance in the first Superman movie. But since the blockbuster will see Lex and Superman unite against a common enemy, there's certainly the option for this creature to end up popping up.

After Superman was released, James Gunn revealed Mr. Handsome's backstory online. Namely that Nicholas Hoult's Lex Luthor created him when he was just 12 years old, and despite the character's unsettling appearance Lex kept him around. What's more, he even had a photo of Mr. Handsome on his desk.

Throughout Superman, Mr. Handsome was mostly seen transporting Lex around his pocket dimension/prison. It's unclear what his fate was by the end of the blockbuster, but he's obviously a favorite of James Gunn. And since the Guardians of the Galaxy filmmaker is running the shared universe and directing Man of Tomorrow, it seems logical that he would return in the sequel.

Not much is known about what Gunn has up his sleeve for Man of Tomorrow, but it looks like Lex and Superman will unite to battle Brainiac when it hits theaters. Fans who spent years watching the DC movies in order are excited to see how this partnership plays out, and how that movie moves the shared universe as a whole forward. There are countless questions about what's going to go down in the DCU, and which actors will play beloved figures from DC comics.

All will be revealed when Man of Tomorrow hits theaters on July 9th, 2027. But first up is Supergirl on June 26th as part of the 2026 movie release list.

While there are plenty of comic book projects in the works, the DC side of things has been going through major changes. The former DCEU (which is streaming with an HBO Max subscription) ended with Aquaman 2, and co-CEO James Gunn has crafted a new shared universe. The first slate of projects is titled Gods and Monsters, with the debut movie being Superman. And Gunn recently responded after fans poked holes in the blockbuster's narrative.

Fans who spent years watching the DC movies in order were invested when Superman hit theaters, and helped to kickstart a new shared universe. The movie's opening title cards claimed that David Corenswet's title character just "lost his first fight", but some fans thought that ignored how Idris Elba's Bloodsport shot Supes with a Kryptonite bullet prior to The Suicide Squad. James Gunn responded to this on Threads, posting:

Well, there you have it. The Guardians of the Galaxy filmmaker isn't taking any guff from fans who thought that Superman either ignored or retconned The Suicide Squad. Because Bloodsport attempting an assassination on the Man of Steel doesn't count as a "fight" according to Gunn.

While I wasn't expecting Abraham Lincoln's name to be brought up in the director's argument, I totally get what he was saying. Superman didn't actually come to blows with Bloodsport, and was instead targeted and shot by the villain, who was famously played by Idris Elba in The Suicide Squad.

While Peacemaker Season 2 retconned Justice League and the DCEU, it sounds like Bloodsport's history with Kal-El is still canon. Otherwise, why would James Gunn have to clarify that the Superman opening narration wasn't incorrect? We'll just have to wait and see if Idris Elba gets to return to the shared universe and reprise his role from The Suicide Squad.

We're still very early into the DCU's life in theaters and on the small screen. The second movie is coming this summer with Supergirl, and fans are eager to see what crossovers are going to be coming down the line. Hopefully, that means some characters from The Suicide Squad come back... other than the ones that have already appeared on Peacemaker.

The next DC movie hitting theaters is Supergirl, which will be released on June 26th as part of the 2026 movie release list. For now, both Superman and The Suicide Squad are streaming over on HBO Max.

The superhero genre has been popular for years, but some big changes have been happening on the DC side of things. The DCEU (which is streaming with an HBO Max subscription) ended with Aquaman 2, and co-CEO James Gunn has been the architect of a new shared universe. The original slate of projects is titled Gods and Monsters, and Peacemaker Season 2 ended up being one of the very first releases on it. However, that show got caught in the middle of the switchover between universes, and James Gunn explained how it all worked behind the scenes.

Peacemaker Season 2's premiere retconned the DCEU and Justice League, altering the ending of Season 1 in the process. While James Gunn was able to quickly make narrative sense of this pivot to the DCU, he spoke on Threads about the unique place the John Cena-led show was in during this change in power. As he put it:

This does help to clear things up. James Gunn had a ton of tough decisions to make when taking his leadership position at DC and starting a new shared universe. Either way, the studio was going to have to pay the cast of Peacemaker. That, combined with his passion for the character and series, led him to bring back the series, which happened to be part of both the DCU and DCEU.

Indeed, it looks like Season 2 will end up having a major influence on upcoming DC movies. In addition to John Cena's cameo in Superman, the Peacemaker Season 2 finale saw Rick Flag Sr. dump Chris in Salvation, a pocket dimension that's going to be used as a prison for metahumans. We'll just have to wait and see if he gets out, and how Salvation is utilized as the newly formed shared universe expands.

At the time of writing this story, Peacemaker hasn't officially been renewed for a third season on HBO Max. But that huge cliffhanger, as well as the formation of Checkmate, are definitely fodder for more stories. Hopefully, we will find out soon one way or another.

Peacemaker is streaming in its entirety over on HBO Max. The next DC movie hitting theaters will be Supergirl on June 26th as part of the 2026 movie release list. But with that movie being largely set in space, it likely won't provide the Peacemaker-related answers we're looking for.

With the uptick in Krypto-filled Supergirl trailers and James Gunn sharing first looks at Man of Tomorrow, it’s a bit easier to get excited about all things DCU-related without automatically thinking about the plethora of upcoming DC movies and TV shows whose development paths are in question. But Gunn himself dropped a somewhat disappointing update in that regard while addressing a fan’s misinformed comment, as it looks like the planned movie focusing on The Authority has hit the skids.

A project that the filmmaker previously called “the hardest” DC adaptation to get off the ground floor, The Authority is about a group of powered-up vigilantes who do anything and everything it takes to fix the world, regardless of the body count. Created for the publisher Wildstorm by Warren Ellis and Bryan Hitch, The Authority was one of the earliest projects mentioned by Gunn and Peter Safran when they took over DC Studios. It’s been over three years, however, without any noteworthy progress reported.

Case in point: a fan voiced his curiosity about the project’s current status on Threads, which sparked another fan to share anecdotal news that was previously bandied about online. And that caused James Gunn to hop into the chat to clear the air on what’s happening with Deathblow, Grifter, Janny Sparks and all the others. In his words:

Was there ever an Authority member named Sad Trombone? Because that would be an applicable power to have after such a downtrodden clarification. To be sure, he didn't outright say the thing will never ever ever happen. But if it took three years of development just to reach this stalemate, I'm not exactly overwhelmed with confidence that the perfect adaptation route is imminent. And you know what? I'm actually okay with that.

I Like The Authority, But Don't Think Them Fronting A Movie Makes Sense Yet

Just to say it, I'd be planted in the theater opening night to watch a live-action Authority movie, and I can't imagine coming out of it with anything but glee. Especially if the group's more extreme tactics were put on display (even if not quite as extreme as, say, The Boys). They're a fun squad, and the large number of team members brings the kind of variety that can be both a blessing and a curse for budgetary reasons.

All that said, I never really thought it was all that logical for James Gunn & Co. to put that group on the map among the first wave of DCU projects. In the first place, they're nowhere near as familiar to mainstream audiences as the many heroes that still haven't been cast for future DC Studios projects, such as Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Arrow, The Flash and more. If Jack Hawksmoor and Rose Tattoo appear on theater screens before Bruce Wayne and Diana Prince, I can't imagine fans will be altogether calm and understanding.

Many still believe this franchise should be working towards a Justice League movie (or Justice Gang, so the nomenclature goes), so it also strikes me as odd that the DCU would have wanted to introduce another supergroup into canon before anything Justice-fronted became a household name for everyday citizens.

As well, I think Gunn & Co. need to develop more central locations within the DCU before introducing a team that handles problems anywhere and everywhere. Metropolis has obviously been established through Superman (as has Authority team member Engineer), the upcoming horror movie Clayface will give audiences our first key visit to Gotham City, and Lanterns should...show us some Nebraska settings. But those are just a few of many settings and heroes that deserve to be brought into the limelight before an Authority movie gets the green light.

Just under his update for The Authority, James Gunn did confirm that two other seemingly troubled projects are still moving in positive directions, saying:

Maybe the Booster Gold movie will go forwards and backwards in time in a way where other heroes and locations get introduced in small doses, which could be a great way to bring The Authority into this worldbuilding without making it a feature-length introduction.

For now, fans can next look forward to seeing Supergirl hitting its 2026 release date on June 26, followed by Clayface on October 23.

Fans have been anticipating Man of Tomorrow, the follow-up to 2025’s Superman and one of the upcoming titles in DCU Chapter One. The past few weeks alone have seen a slew of updates drop in the lead-up to the start of production. Well, writer/director James Gunn officially confirmed that the cameras are now rolling on the upcoming superhero movie. And, even with this brief shot, fans are under the impression that a great moment from the comics is going to be recreated.

What Did James Gunn Share From The Man Of Tomorrow Set?

Gunn took to his Instagram on Monday to share the set photo, which seems relatively straightforward (on the surface). The image shows a chessboard laid out on a metal table along with a bag of chips and an additional item, which seems to have the Superman insignia overlaid with Brainiac’s. Also on the table is a pass from the fictional VanKull Department of Corrections, which is marked for Alexander “Lex” Luthor.” Check out the photo:

At the end of Superman, Lex was arrested and sent to Belle Reve Correctional Center, and his fall from grace was further shown on Peacemaker Season 2. That DCU show, however, also showed Luthor making a deal with Rick Flag Sr., which involved the corporate magnate securing a transfer to VanKull. So this new set photo seemingly indicates that fans will get to see a bit more of Lex while he remains incarcerated, which makes sense.

The comments section of the post suggests that fans are already hyped about what’s to come. Some have also picked up on something that strikes me as well, and those who’ve read a certain 2021 comic may be pleased if this assumption pans out.

The DCU May Be Putting A Spin On A Moment From The Comics

Lex Luthor has long played mind games with the Man of Steel, but there was an instance in which he literally attempted to play a game with him. In a portion of 2021’s Superman: Son of Kal-El Annual #1, Superman visits Luthor in prison in an attempt to retrieve some information. Lex mostly deflects but also asks his longtime adversary if he’d consider sitting down for a game of chess. Supes begrudgingly sits down to play, and Luthor eventually criticizes his first move, which is to move a knight forward.

The Kryptonian hero eventually poses the hypothetical question of what he and Lex could accomplish if they worked together, with Luthor even admitting he’s had the same thought. Shortly after, the game is interrupted by the warden, and Superman steps out without finishing the game, which angers Lex. Overall, adding a scene like this to MoT just seems so obvious, and I wouldn’t be surprised if a variation of it is included. From a narrative standpoint, it would also make sense.

Gunn previously teased that Man of Tomorrow would see David Corenswet’s Supes and Nicholas Hoult’s Lex team up to stop a common enemy. That foe has since been revealed to be Brainiac, who’s being played by Lars Eidinger. With all of that in mind, the notion of a scene in which Luthor and The Last Son of Krypton ponder the merits of working together while playing chess would track with the story.

Of course, all of this is just speculation on my part right now, but I’m hopeful that we’ll see Superman and Lex Luthor play chess at some point in the film. For now, keep in mind that Man of Tomorrow is set to soar into theaters on July 9, 2027. Those who want to catch up on the DCU movie and TV entries that have already been released can stream them with an HBO Max subscription.

Thankfully, James Gunn didn’t let this year’s Superman Day celebrations go by without dropping a seemingly huge reveal for the upcoming DC blockbuster Man of Tomorrow, in the form of previously unreleased casting news. Or, to be more specific, the filmmaker shared a behind-the-scenes pic from the sequel with an awesome actor whose presence has been a secret until now, and it marks a reunion for Gunn.

The Superman director took to Instagram to share a post with trainer Paolo Mascitti, editor Fred Raskin, Sydney Happersen portrayer Stephen Blackehart, and the current man of the hour: The Wire and Empire vet Andre Royo! I can only hope the latter gets to rock the same hairstyle he’s displaying in the post below.

As James Gunn alluded to, it's been 15 years since the last time he worked with Andre Royo, who'd portrayed the buddy and diner cohort to Rainn Wilson's Frank in 2011's darkly comedic superhero movie Super. I'm thinking the actor and filmmaker's latest collab will give the actor a bigger stake in this film's plot.

Interestingly enough, one of Royo's most recent roles has been within the grander DC universe. He voiced the villainous Arnold Wesker, a.k.a. Toyman, for the podcast audio drama Harley Quinn & The Joker: Sound Mind, which boasted Christina Ricci and Billy Magnussen as the titular baddies.

Though Gunn didn't unleash a slew of details about who Royo will be playing, I have a couple of ideas for who the Truth Be Told co-star could be portraying in the next chapter of the Kryptonian hero's DCU saga. And it should surprise no one that both guesses come directly from the comic books.

Could Andre Royo Be Playing Metropolis Gangster Bruno Mannheim?

The basic Who vs. Who set-up for Man of Tomorrow has long been locked in place, as the movie will see David Corenswet's Superman and Nicholas Hoult's Lex Luthor more or less joining forces to stave off the devastating threat of Lars Eidinger's take on the classic villain Brainiac. But what's a modern comic book movie follow-up without at least 17 villains making appearances?

To that end, I think it would be excellence, and not so illogical, for Andre Royo to join the DCU as high-powered orginized crime boss Bruno Mannheim, who is often depicted as the head of the underground syndicate Intergang. Though that group has ties to the New Gods and other characters who haven't been tapped for live-action debuts just yet, I think it'd be easy enough to bring Bruno into the fold without immediately needing to deliver an exhaustive backstory for his rise up Metropolis' criminal power rankings.

Within the comics, Bruno and his crew are often at odds with both Superman and Lex Luthor (as well as other Metropolis baddies), so if Royo is indeed playing that role in Man of Tomorrow, I'd be interested to see which side he'd align himself with. I guess if Brainiac is intending to destroy everything, there wouldn't be much of a criminal enterprise for Bruno to maintain control of.

Though Bruno, his father Moxie and others in the Mannheim family were originally depicted as white characters, Superman & Lois set a new precedent for live-action by having The Walking Dead vet Chad Coleman bring his intimidating presence to the role.

I'd Love If Andre Royo Portrayed A Version Of The Villainous Milton Fine

Given Brainiac's introduction in Man of Tomorrow, I can only assume that James Gunn will bring in more characters from the villain's mythos than just the alien himself. There's a whole lot to pick from, too, and I think it'd be awesome to bring Andre Royo into this universe to portray the technological brilliance of Milton Fine.

Different iterations of Fine exist, from a metahuman circus mesmerist to history prof to computer engineer, with the central hook that he is telepathically linked to Brainiac, who takes over the human to use as a mouthpiece and more. That could also be the smartest way to bring the alien threat into this story.

Given the presence of Stephen Blackehart in Gunn's pic, it's feasible that his character shares the screen with Royo's, and I could fully buy into Lex Luthor hiring Milton Fine to help with his anti-Superman agendas, only to later realize that his new hire is secretly a telepathic mole for Brianiac.

Royo could easily play an off-kilter scientist or technology fanatacist who gets psychically manipulated by otherworldly threats. Or really, any other character that Gunn trusts him with. So even if my two theores are completely off-base, I still can't wait to see how he joins the story.

This revealing post comes days after the news dropped that Man of Tomorrow added Adria Arjona to the cast, with that news previously having been "debunked" by Gunn. It's still unclear exactly who she'll be playing, though the main two options seem to be Maxima and Wonder Woman.

Fans can also expect to see Frank Grillo's Rick Flag Sr. in the mix to follow up on his Peacemaker arc, as well as an appearance from Lanterns star Aaron Pierre as Green Lantern John Stewart. Other returning stars include Rachel Brosnahan, Skyler Gisondo, Sara Sampaio, Isabela Merced, and Maria Gabriella de Faria.

With filming set to kick off in earnest over the next week, Man of Tomorrow is set to hit theaters on July 9, 2027.

The superhero genre continues to be wildly popular, with a number of shared universes competing at the box office. DC co-CEO James Gunn has been crafting a new one, with a number of titles already hitting theaters and streaming with a HBO Max subscription. Fans are looking forward to upcoming DC movies like Man of Tomorrow, and after rumors swirled about Andor actress Adria Arjona joining that project, fan art imagined what she'd look like as Wonder Woman.

While James Gunn originally refuted rumors about Arjona's casting, there's been another report of her playing a Man of Tomorrow role. Only time will tell what's true, but fans are definitely invested. Case in point: the following fan image that shows what she could look like in Wonder Woman's signature costume. Check it out below:

Honestly, I'm sold. While this isn't a real photo, I can't deny that Adria Arjona looks pitch perfect as Diana Prince/Wonder Woman. And since the newly formed DCU will presumably have to find someone to play that role eventually, why not introduce her in Man of Tomorrow? We'll just have to see if her casting in the blockbuster is actually legit or not.

Fans who spent years watching the DC movies in order know how important Wonder Woman is, as she's part of the DC trinity alongside Superman and Batman. But it's unclear exactly when James Gunn and company were planning on introducing her into the new shared universe. The DCU's first slate of projects is titled Gods and Monsters, and doesn't include a Wonder Woman solo movie... yet.

Considering how early it is in the DCU's life, it seems like just about anything could happen. Superman was the first and only movie in the shared universe so far, although that'll change with Craig Gillespie's Supergirl. But fans are especially curious about what's coming with Man of Tomorrow, which will unite Superman and Lex Luthor against a common enemy. But we'll just have to see if Arjona joins them for the fun, and if she actually ends up being Wonder Woman or not.

Adria Arjona is perhaps best known for starring as Bix Caleen in Andor's two season run (which is streaming with a Disney+ subscription). She also previously worked with James Gunn on The Belko Experiment, so their possibly collaboration in the DCU seems logical. Hopefully we get a concrete answer soon.

Man of Tomorrow is currently expected to hit theaters on July 9th, 2027. But first up is Supergirl, which hits theaters June 26th as part of the 2026 movie release list.

Man of Tomorrow – one of the upcoming films of DCU Chapter 1 – is set to start filming soon and, with that, casting news has been breaking as of late. Just days ago, it was also reported that writer and director James Gunn was screen-testing actresses for the role of Maxima. Ella Purnell, Marisa Abela and Adria Arjona were said to be in contention for the part, but Gunn refuted the report. However, there’s been a new development that seemingly counteracts Gunn’s claim, so what’s really going on here?

It’s been reported that Adria Arjona is officially joining the cast of Man of Tomorrow. That news comes by way of The Hollywood Reporter, and the trade claimed that Arjona was a finalist alongside fellow actresses Sydney Chandler, Eva De Dominici and Grace Van Patten. What’s interesting, though, is that the outlet doesn’t confirm whether or not Arjona is actually playing the role of Maxima. For now, her part is being referred to as a mystery role, which sparks plenty of questions.

Last week, after the initial Maxima report dropped, Gunn took to social media and said the details were inaccurate. The filmmaker (who was also named co-CEO of DC Studios in 2022) asserted that he had never met either Purnell or Abela. There is an aspect of that post that’s interesting in hindsight, though. Gunn confirmed that he had long been friends with Arjona, as he cast her in 2017’s The Belko Experiment. What the filmmaker didn’t do, however, was directly deny the notion of Arjona testing for a role.

Quite frankly, it’s difficult to sort out what exactly is going on here. In regard to James Gunn’s initial comments, maybe that was a case of semantics, and he was just being extra cautious with his words. Gunn does, after all, have experience with keeping details about major projects under wraps. The Guardians of the Galaxy helmer is known for being quite active on social media, and I’m curious as to whether he’ll address this latest piece of news head on.

There’s also still the matter of who Adria Arjona might be playing. It’s certainly possible that she’s portraying Maxima, an extraterrestrial conqueror introduced in the pages of DC Comics back in 1989. Coincidentally, though, there’s also been DCU-related speculation swirling around Arjona as of late. Many have been speculating that she could be a prime candidate for the role of Wonder Woman, though that’s been far from confirmed. Regardless, it seems she’ll be entering a superhero franchise in some form or another.

It’s looking relatively certain that Man of Tomorrow will have a major ensemble cast just like its predecessor, 2025’s Superman. David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan, Nicholas Hoult and more actors from that initial movie are expected to return for MoT. Also joining the fray this time around will be Lars Eidinger, who’s been cast in the role of Brainiac. The film will also include Aaron Pierre, who will reprise his role as Green Lantern John Stewart following his debut in the Lanterns TV show.

Story details on James Gunn’s upcoming superhero movie are slim, though it’s been teased that the Man of Steel will have to team up with Luthor to take down the technological threat that is Brainiac. If Maxima is indeed in the film, I’d be curious to see how she figures into the narrative. And, even if the character doesn’t appear, I’m eager to see what role the talented Adria Arjona ends up playing nonetheless.

Man of Tomorrow is set to soar into theaters on July 9, 2027. In the meantime, check out Superman and other DCU offerings using an HBO Max subscription.

The DC side of the superhero genre has been going through some major changes recently thanks to co-CEO James Gunn. The Guardians of the Galaxy filmmaker has crafted a new shared universe, and releasing projects both in theaters and streaming with a HBO Max subscription. Fans have endless questions about upcoming DC movies, including if Joel Kinnaman will ever return as Rick Flag Jr.. And now the 46 year-old actor has weighed in on that possibility.

Folks who have been watching the DC movies in order will recall that Flag was killed by John Cena's Peacemaker in The Suicide Squad. While Peacemaker Season 2 retconned the DCEU, Rick's death is still canon, and motivation for his father Rick Flags' vendetta against Chris Smith. During a conversation with ScreenRant, Kinnaman was asked if his appearance in Peacemaker was his final bow as his signature DC character, responding with:

Womp womp. It sounds like Kinnaman isn't expecting to have yet another revival as Rick Flag Jr. in the newly formed DCU. His appearances in Peacemaker Season 2 definitely pleased longtime fans, and helped to tie-in events from both Suicide Squad movies. But we'll just have to see if his comments are accurate, or if we get more of him in Season 3 and/or a film project. With the multiverse already in play it feels like just about anything is possible.

The finale of Peacemaker Season 2 saw Frank Grillo's Rick Flag Sr. finally get his revenge, trapping Chris in the pocket universe Salvation, which will be used as a prison for metahumans in the DCU. Kinnaman's character is still a strong presence, so perhaps another flashback could happen if/when a third season ends up happening on HBO.

Joel Kinnaman's tenure as Rick Flag Jr. was definitely an interesting one, which involved multiple DC reboots. His death at the end of The Suicide Squad was a devastating twist, one that seemingly set up Peacemaker as a bonafide DC villain. And while John Cena's character is getting a redemption, Rick Flag Sr. is still very much reeling from grief over his son's murder. So even if the Altered Carbon actor doesn't return to the role, his character will presumably continue to have a presence moving forward.

The next DC movie hitting theaters is Supergirl on June 26th as part of the 2026 movie release list. Hopefully we'll get news about Peacemaker Season 3 sooner rather than later. Fingers crossed.

Despite not being one of the impending 2026 movie releases, James Gunn’s upcoming DCU movie Man of Tomorrow may already become one of the most talked about movies of this year, as it’s set to kick off rehearsals and filming in the next month. Fans are eager to see David Corenswet’s Superman teaming up with Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor (especially with the latter in his comic-specific duds) to take on the sequel’s big bad, Brainiac, and we’re also hungry for info about any other new characters joining the DCU.

To that end, a new report from Deadline surfaced that claimed a trio of popular and talented actresses were being tested to potentially take on the role of comic book character Maxima: Fallout star Ella Purnell, Industry’s Marisa Abela, and Andor’s Adria Arjona. But before anyone could really start thinking about those prospects, James Gunn took to Threads to completely debunk the rumored actresses, prefacing it by saying that he’d always previously put faith in the outlet’s reporting as being well-handled. In his words:

If there was even an iota of legitimacy behind this trio being lined up as possible Maxima portrayers, Gunn likely wouldn't have responded to the news at all, or his post might have been more measured and playful with the wording. In this instance, however, the director seems genuinely perturbed that these rumors were publicized in such a way.

I can see how it might be easy to believe Adria Arjona would be a Man of Tomorrow candidate, since Gunn himself mentioned their team-up for 2016's The Belko Experiment, which he wrote and produced. Plus, she’s also set to co-star in another comic book adaptation, Prime Video’s upcoming series Criminal. But no dice on Man of Tomorrow, it seems. At least not for the role of Maxima.

This definitely isn’t the first time James Gunn has shot down DCU casting rumors, and it could almost amount to a part time job for him at this point. He’s previously debunked rumors that GotG’s Dave Bautista was playing Brainiac, though I don’t think he spoke out against the reports claiming Lanterns star Aaron Pierre is in the sequel. Which doesn’t make the Pierre tidbit automatically true or anything. But it does seem less far-fetched.

I Wish James Gunn Actually Would Cast One Of These Rumored Actresses Now

James Gunn casts who he wants for his projects, with one caveat for the DCU being that superhero-sized budgets are easier to manage with stars who haven't quite broken through to the A-list just yet, which is part of why the lesser-known Corenswet landed the Man of Steel role. Which is all to say, no one is ever going to tell Gunn who to cast, least of all noisy fans on social media.

But here's the thing. A lot of the false casting rumors for Man of Tomorrow and other DCU projects involve excellent actors who would presumably be great within this fantastical universe, and I've wondered in the past if simply being named in those rumors makes it more likely that Gunn will never cast them in roles. Even if it's not a fully conscious decision, his annoyance for unverified reports could feasibly be a factor.

Since that's something I'll never actually know for sure, I'll simply voice my wish for the Superman director to now put some consideration into working with Adria Arjona, Ella Purnell and Marisa Abela for Man of Tomorrow or another superhero project. Just because they won't be playing Maxima doesn't mean they might not be good for other comic book heroes and villain.

Ella Purnell's Sweet Pea character seems like she could have stepped right out of a James Gunn-written narrative, so she'd be my first choice for one of his next efforts.

Hopefully Gunn will also share some verified casting announcements for Man of Tomorrow in the near future as fans await its eventual release date of July 9, 2027.

The global success of James Gunn’s Superman put much attention on the impending sequel’s big villain, and fans went berserk when the director revealed the much-rumored Brainiac is indeed the threat that brings Supes and arch-enemy Lex Luthor together in Man of Tomorrow. German actor Lars Eidinger was cast for the role in December, but updates have been all but absent since.

Now, Eidinger has opened up about what sounds like a hectic and stressful audition process for the upcoming superhero movie for an interview with Kevin Kühnert for the program Don’t Misunderstand Me! (or Missverstehen Sie mich richtig! as it’s known in Germany). During that talk, he revealed a few details about what fans can expect, as well as how much effort he put into the possibly the highest-profile casting audition of his career thus far.

1. Eidinger's Audition Required 2 Hours In Makeup And A "Mask"

Ahead of turning 50 in January, Lars Eidinger was not expecting his life and career to take a shared 180 spin into the mainstream, but he says that all changed once James Gunn noted his interest in Man of Tomorrow and asked for a self-taped audition. The actor admitted he recorded the attempt no less than 15 times before he finally felt his free-flowing attempt was worthy of submitting. Spoilers: his patience paid off.

At that point, Gunn & Co. wanted to meet with their potential new star for an in-person callback, which led him to DC’s Atlanta studios, where he was immediately treated to a full-body 3D scan. (Though not before watching 2025's Superman on the flight over.) Saying he was legitimately confused at that point as to whether the extra efforts meant he'd already been cast or not, he also shared:

That's quite the interesting word to use there: mask. Especially if said mask was applied after so much makeup work was already in the mix. I won't jump to any immediate conclusions here, since there are several things he could have meant by that. Most versions of Brainiac feature unique and numerous elements on his face and head, so it'd make sense for the prop team to have a version of that aesthetic ready to go for exactly these audition purposes.

Perhaps facial applications will be handled spontaneously each day of filming, but I have to imagine he'll be fitted with a prefabricated headpiece to account for whichever specific look the movie will lean into. Not to mention whatever CGI flourishes also enter into it.

2. DC Already Made Sure To Keep This Brainiac Look A Secret

The info that fans are hungriest for about comic book movies tends to be the designs and looks of the previously two-dimensional characters, and that's certainly the case here. Plus, artists rarely stick with one Brainiac look for very long, which makes his big-screen debut all the more exciting. (The Absolute Superman approach, which James Gunn is keen on, is on a whole other disturbing level.)

Lars Eidinger, in addressing his audition-related confusion, spoke on the all-around lack of other people in the area. In his words:

I have no idea how many people would normally be walking around this studio on any given day, to be sure. And I also have no idea how many other actors were brought in to go through everything that Eidinger did. But it seems like there was intention behind making sure the actor was walking around without the chance for a bystander to see him and identify him, especially after he was sporting the Brainiac mask. The studio heads likely kept the on-hand crew list as limited as possible, on top of making sure his look was completely hidden as he went to and from his vehicle.

3. Lars Eidinger Will Be There For The Entire Shoot, So Expect A Lot Of Brainiac

For the five days after his offbeat audition, the White Noise co-star said he remained sure that he would get a call from his agent saying Gunn & Co. would be going with another actor. Instead, it was James Gunn himself who reached out to Eidinger and confirmed his inclusion in Man of Tomorrow.

When asked about how many days he expected to be filming, Eidinger shared:

Not that anyone should have expected the actor playing the main villain of Man of Tomorrow to only be around the set for half of it. But given the character's alien and occasionally AI-related nature, it's certainly plausible that Brainiac will exist as a threat throughout the sequel without constantly needing to be there in full physical form. But hopefully this means we'll get as much of the villain as fans have been hoping for.

Man of Tomorrow will hit theaters on July 9, 2027.

The DCU is still in its very early days, which means that who will play most of the iconic character roles has yet to be decided. Many fans have an opinion on who they would like to see play their favorite heroes and villains, and we recently saw just how strong many people felt following the suggestion that Megan Fox should play Batman villain Poison Ivy.

A fan of Megan Fox commented on her Instagram page that she should play Poison Ivy in a movie that puts the plant-loving character together with her best girlfriend, Poison Ivy. Fox “liked” the comment, which most have taken as an endorsement of the statement, and confirmation that she would at least be interested in such a role. Fox has said before that she is absolutely interested in playing a Marvel or DC character. That response has in turn elicited strong responses from fans, both for and against the idea on Twitter. Responses include…

• She has the body and bisexuality but not the acting - @MooreChamar
• Honestly I think Megan Fox would be perfect as poison ivy in DCU - @jimmylegends34
• This post has me thinking of the time Megan Fox admitted on a live stream she had a crush on Margot Robbie. Need them as HarleyIvy idgaf - @harleenquinzels
• the way i’ve been saying this for years - @filmbitten
• who’s gonna do the acting tho? - @Mandevil23

Clearly, a lot of people are critical of Fox’s ability as an actress. It certainly isn’t something we haven’t heard before, though I’m not sure I can entirely agree; I’m not sure anybody’s performance in a Transformers movie is an accurate gauge of their ability as an actor. Still, while some may think the role needs a better actress, many others feel just as strongly that Megan Fox would be a fantastic Poison Ivy.

In the comic, Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn have become quite the team, and so a lot of people would love to see that on the big screen. At one point during the previous DC franchise, there were plans for a Gotham City Sirens movie that would have brought the pair together, but it was ultimately never made.

At this point, we also don’t know what the official future for Harley Quinn in the DCU will be. Since Margot Robbie played the character in James Gunn’s The Suicide Squad, there’s a decent chance she could reprise the role eventually, but at this point, what parts of the old DC franchise will carry over and what parts will not is still far from clear.

Whoever would make for the best Poison Ivy, it seems more than likely that we’ll get one at some point. One actress is already campaigning for the role in Matt Reeves' Batman franchise, but since there will be another DCU Batman, Megan Fox may get more than one chance to snag the part if she wants it.

The DCU’s Booster Gold TV show has been in the early development stages for long enough that I could possibly be convinced that the only reason we ever thought one was happening was because the real Booster Gold came to the 2020s from the future and lied about the show existing in his timeline. Maybe it’s not quite so dire, but a comedy series focused on the hero was one of the first projects spoken of when James Gunn and Peter Safran took over DC Studios, and that followed years of movie rumors.

So what’s happening with these long-gestating series plans, and why are fans suddenly worried that the project may get scrapped amidst other upcoming DC TV shows? Let’s take a jaunt back to last year before fully catching up on current events.

Our Flag Means Death Creator Previously Took Over Writing Duties From Danny McBride

At some point between James Gunn’s DCU hiring and the end of 2024, Eastbound and Down’s Danny McBride was set to script the hero’s first standalone live-action project along with The Righteous Gemstones’ writers/producers John Carcieri and Jeff Fradley. At some point in 2024, the trio were reported to no longer be working on that feature anymore, though with the caveat that McBride could still be involved in some capacity.

Then in February 2025, following James Gunn debunking casting rumors for the show, he told press at a DCU presentation that work on the show was “going pretty strong” behind the scenes amidst creative changes for Viola Davis’ Waller series, assumedly with McBride still tinkering with it. The project took a big step forward in July 2025 when it was revealed that Our Flag Means Death and People of Earth creator David Jenkins was hired on to bring his quirky imagination and writing skills to a Booster Gold story, saying this at the time:

Then came a whole lot more silence about the project, other than some more fan casting hopes (this time for Patrick Schwarzenegger), causing further concern among fans that the hero’s narrative might be too hard to lock down to film as a live-action project. Which brings us to the present.

Fans Think Social Media Changes Hint At David Jenkins No Longer Writing Booster Gold

Jenkins is no stranger to sharing his professional successes on various social media platforms, as indicated by the aforementioned post about his then-new gig. Jenkins also followed James Gunn on Instagram at the time.

Cut to today, however, and the writer/producer's IG page no longer appears to bear any mention of either Booster Gold or James Gunn, whom Jenkins is no longer following. (Gunn isn't following Jenkins' either.) So did something go down during the development process that doomed the project's current iteration?

If Booster Gold was a show on par with anything in the Batman-verse, we probably would have heard about this creative split before it even happened. But given the lower recognition status for the blue-suited hero, there are fewer rumors bouncing around to look to for info.

Any time-traveling journos out there privy to information that won't implode the time-stream or the 2026 TV schedule if you share it? Hit me up.

It was just over a week ago that the first trailer for the new HBO series Lanterns arrived online, and while the preview didn't exactly make a big deal out of the show's ties to the larger DC Universe, we now have casting news that is providing that service. James Gunn's Man Of Tomorrow, the direct sequel to his 2025 Superman blockbuster, is now getting deep into pre-production, and today we have word that the film will include Aaron Pierre's John Stewart a.k.a. Green Lantern as part of its ensemble.

This update comes to us via THR, though the trade doesn't have any details regarding the size of his role in the plot (which is certainly not a surprise at this stage in the game). He is the second newcomer to join the anticipated feature, as we learned late last year that German actor Lars Eidinger has been cast as the villainous Brainiac. Man Of Tomorrow will see David Corenswet return to the role of Clark Kent a.k.a. Superman along with Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor, Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, Skyler Gisondo as Jimmy Olsen, Sara Sampaio as Eve Teschmacher, Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl and Maria Gabriella de Faria as The Engineer.

This is an interesting development for the Green Lantern Corps of the DC Universe, as you'll notice that one name not included in the Man of Tomorrow cast yet is Nathan Fillion, who memorably played Guy Gardner in Superman. Fillion reprised his role in the first episode of Peacemaker Season 2, but he was noticeably absent from the aforementioned Lanterns trailer, which features a scene in which Kyle Chandler's Hal Jordan makes mention of the fact that he has never met another human Green Lantern. The relationship between Gardner and his fellow emerald knights hasn't been made clear yet and will be a development to keep an eye on

Likewise, it will be interesting to see what this casting ultimately means for the density of DC Studio's continuity. Does Aaron Pierre's presence in Man Of Tomorrow mean that there is going to be any kind of direct link between the stories in Lanterns and the 2027 film? Are people going to need to watch the former to be fully up to speed and ready to watch the latter? Right now, we have far more questions than answers.

Man of Tomorrow is presently in pre-production and getting ready to get cameras rolling next month, so it's very likely that we will be getting a bunch of updates about the project in the coming weeks,which will also hopefully mean getting further clarity about what we can expect from the film. The blockbuster has been given a July 9, 2027 release date – making it the fourth DCU movie following Superman and the upcoming DC titles Supergirl (June 26) and Clayface (October 23). Lanterns, meanwhile, will debut sometime in August on HBO, and it will likely earn some extra attention now that we know one of its leads is set up for a significant part in the future of the canon.

Happy Birthday, Lobo! The fictional intergalactic bounty hunter was celebrated this week amid the anniversary of his first appearance in DC Comics. Said milestone is particularly auspicious this year, as the fan-favorite character will also make his big screen debut in the Supergirl movie, produced by James Gunn and starring Jason Momoa in the role of Lobo alongside Miley Alcock's Supergirl. So it comes as no surprise that both Momoa and Gunn marked the occasion with messages

Both men took to social media to celebrate the special day. Gunn originally posted about the Lobo anniversary, celebrating the comic artists who first put him on the page. Momoa then reposted Gunn’s statement on Instagram, adding…

Momoa’s journey to playing Lobo has been a long and winding road. Many DC fans thought the Game of Thrones alum would be perfect to play the character during the previous big-screen iteration of DC’s comic universe. Even Momoa believed he was being called in to discuss Lobo when Warner Bros. brought him in. He was surprised when he was offered Aquaman instead. Filmmaker Zack Snyder felt strongly about Momoa playing the King of Atlantis at the time and, even this week, Snyder shared a throwback photo of Momoa from their Justice League prep.

It wasn’t even that long after James Gunn took creative control at DC Studios that Jason Momoa teased that Gunn had offered him something, and we knew it wasn’t a return to playing Aquaman. We had to wait some time before it was confirmed that Momoa would play Lobo and, now, we’re just a few months from seeing the character brought to life. If only we could get a better look at him. Check out Momoa's post:

Honestly, the anniversary of the debut of Lobo would have been a great day to release a better image of the bounty hunter. The only shot we got of him in the Supergirl trailer was the image, all in shadow. You get a general sense of how Lobo will look, which is pretty comic-accurate, but something a little clearer would be nice. Even the people making the movie don’t have a clear shot to promote the project.

It feels like the decision was made to hold off on Momoa’s Lobo look as part of a marketing tease. Historically, marketing teams rarely reveal everything up front while promoting a film but, since we know Lobo is in the movie at all, it’s not like seeing him clearly will be all that much of a surprise.

We’ll almost certainly get at least one more trailer before Supergirl hits the screen in June, and there’s a decent chance that one will finally give us a good look at Lobo. We might even be lucky enough to hear him speak and get an idea of how he’ll fit into the Supergirl story and interact with Miley Alcock's title character. It’s also a safe bet that this won’t be the only place we see Lobo in the new DCU franchise. Jason Momoa is just too big a star not to use more often.

As fans celebrate Lobo's anniversary this week alongside Jason Momoa and James Gunn, they should keep in mind that Supergirl soars into theaters on June 26 amid the 2026 movie schedule.