DCU Chapter One: every upcoming DC comic book movie and TV show, plus known release dates

DCU Chapter One is over – for the time being, I should say.

Indeed, with no more new movies and HBO Max shows set to arrive from DC Studios in 2025, it'll be early to mid-2026 before the next DC Universe (DCU) project rolls off the production line.

There are many films and TV series in development under the guidance of co-CEOs James Gunn and Peter Safran, though. Luckily for you, this extensive guide is full of the biggest and latest news on every DCU Chapter One project, so you don't need to look elsewhere for all of your DC comic book movie and TV show needs.

DCU Chapter One full line-up

DC Studios Announcement - Chapter 1: Gods and Monsters | DC - YouTube

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In January 2023, Gunn revealed the DCU Chapter One's initial line-up. In total, 11 projects – five movies and six TV shows – were announced, but more have been added to its slate since Gunn's original announcement.

For a complete rundown of every DCU Chapter One film and TV series currently in development, plus any known release dates for said productions, read on:

• Lanterns (TV show, expected early to mid-2026 (date TBC))
• Supergirl (movie, June 26, 2026)
• Clayface (movie, September 11, 2026)
• Man of Tomorrow (movie, July 9, 2027)
• The Authority (movie, TBC)
• The Brave and the Bold (movie, TBC)
• Booster Gold (TV show, TBC)
• Creature Commandos season 2 (TV show, TBC)
• Paradise Lost (TV show, TBC)
• Sgt Rock (movie, TBC)
• Swamp Thing (movie, TBC)
• Waller (TV show, TBC)
• Wonder Woman (movie, TBC)

DCU Chapter One: confirmed release dates and launch windows

Lanterns

Release window: sometime in 2026
Directors: James Hawes, Stephen Williams, Geeta Vasant Patel, and Alik Sakharov
Confirmed cast: Aaron Pierre, Kyle Chandler, Nathan Fillion, and Ulrich Thomsen

The DCU's first Green Lantern project, Lanterns was expected to light up HBO Max in the first three months of next year. However, a recent rumor suggests it won't air in early 2026.

Regardless, post-production is well underway on a TV show that'll star Aaron Pierre and Kyle Chandler as John Stewart and Hal Jordan. It's being helmed by a trio of big-name creatives, too, with one particular addition being a perfect fit for its sci-fi mystery crime tendencies.

For more on the HBO TV Original's likely cast, plot details, and other must-know information, read my dedicated guide on Lanterns.

Supergirl

Release date: June 26, 2026
Director: Craig Gillespie
Confirmed cast: Milly Alcock, Matthias Schoenaerts, Eve Ridley, and Jason Momoa

Supergirl, which was originally called Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow until James Gunn confirmed its name change in June, will be the first solo big-screen outing for Superman’s cousin since the Helen Slater-starring 1984 movie.

House of the Dragon alumnus Milly Alcock will star as the titular hero and she'll be joined by a number of famous faces and rising stars as part of the film's cast. For more on that, read my Supergirl cast and character guide.

As for its plot, Supergirl will directly adapt the story told in the Woman of Tomorrow's comic book series. Read my guide on everything we know so far about Supergirl to learn more about it.

Clayface

Release date: September 11, 2026
Director: James Watkins
Confirmed cast: Tom Rhys Harries

Billed as a low-budget horror film, Clayface has been written by horror auteur Mike Flanagan. It'll be directed by Speak No Evil's James Watkins and an unlikely star in Tom Rhys Harries has been cast in the titular role.

According to Harries, filming wrapped in November (thanks to Reddit for the find), so it's on track to meet its September 2026 release date. You can read more about the Batman villain's first standalone film by checking my dedicated guide to Clayface.

Man of Tomorrow

Release date: July 9, 2027
Director: James Gunn
Confirmed cast: David Corenswet and Nicholas Hoult

The sequel to Gunn's Superman movie, Man of Tomorrow will arrive in mid-2027. Filming is expected to begin in early 2026.

As for its story, Gunn has said "it's a story about Superman and Lex Luthor working together" to combat an otherworldly threat. There's no word on who or what that'll be, but DC fans think Gunn has teased its villain via Man of Tomorrow's finished script.

For more on Gunn's next DCU Chapter One project, including other potential cast members and plot rumors, my guide on Man of Tomorrow should be your next port of call.

DCU Chapter One: movies in development

The Authority

Release date: TBC
Director: TBC
Expected cast: Maria Gabriela de Faría

DCU Chapter One is still expected to introduce The Authority, a lesser known team of antiheroes who feel right up Gunn’s street. However, at a press event in February, Gunn said progress has been slow-moving on this one – and, while Gunn confirmed it hadn't been shelved during a chat with Deadline in October, he didn't rule out the prospect of The Authority getting turned into an animated show instead.

Whatever form it takes, The Authority should be based on Warren Ellis and Bryan Hitch's comic series (released via DC’s Wildstorm imprint) and focus on the eponymous group who are prepared to use any means necessary to save the day.

The Brave and the Bold

Release date: TBC
Director: Andy Muschietti
Cast: TBC

Based on Grant Morrison’s popular graphic novel 'Batman and Son', The Brave and the Bold (TB&TB) should see Bruce Wayne teaming up with his violent and narcissistic son Damian, a teen raised by assassins who goes on to become the latest incumbent of the Robin moniker.

Story-wise, a writer has been found, but Gunn hasn't publicly named them. Gunn has also said that he thinks "he has a way in" on TB&TB's script, but "plenty of things are in flux" (per IGN) about what its plot entails.

The Flash’s Andy Muschietti will direct it and, speaking to Variety in October, he strongly implied there'll be big news to share on TB&TB soon. Don't expect that to include fans' wishes to see Alan Ritchson installed as the DCU's Batman, though, with the actor telling Variety that, despite chatting to Gunn about the role, "I strongly don’t think that Batman is in my future."

Swamp Thing

Release date: TBC
Director: TBC
Cast: TBC

The brainchild of Wolverine creator Len Wein, Swamp Thing's comic series tells the story of brilliant scientist Alec Holland, who finds his consciousness merged with a bog after an attack on his research facility.

This new take on the character is said to still involve James Mangold despite the Logan and Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny director recently signing a first-look deal with Paramount (per Gizmodo). That recent tidbit aside, there's nothing else to report on this DCU Chapter One movie.

Sgt Rock

Release date: TBC
Director: TBC
Cast: TBC

After making his DCU debut in Creature Commandos episode 3, Sergeant Rock was reportedly getting a standalone movie.

Call Me By Your Name's Luca Guadagnino was set to direct it and Challengers' Justin Kuritzkes was said to be penning its screenplay. Colin Farrell was in talks to star (via THR), too.

Since then, confusion has reigned over Sgt Rock's status amid reports it's been shelved. In July, Gunn told the Happy Sad Confused podcast that it was still in active development albeit without Guadagnino. More recently, Farrell told the Happy Sad Confused podcast that he had no idea if it'll get made.

Wonder Woman

Release date: TBC
Director: TBC
Cast: TBC

After Gunn sparked excitement about Wonder Woman's DCU debut in mid-May, the DC Studios co-head soon confirmed it was in early development.

Fans already think that one Star Wars actor is the clear choice to play her, but Gunn has said (per Threads) that nobody has been cast as Diana Prince yet. Gunn also revealed it won't enter full production until its script, which is being penned by Supergirl scribe Ana Nogeuira, is complete.

It's unclear how this film will impact Paradise Lost, the previously announced DCU TV series that'll be based on Prince's home island of Themyscira (more on this later). Given that it's seen as a "priority" by Gunn and Safran, though, it's likely to be made and released before that show.

DCU Chapter One: TV shows in development

Booster Gold

Release date: TBC
Director: TBC
Cast: TBC

If your first thought was "...who?", you’re not alone. Booster Gold, aka Michael Jon Carter, is arguably the most unlikely superhero on the 'Gods and Monsters' roster but, if you’ve seen any of Gunn’s previous output, you’ll understand why this character appeals to his sensibilities.

For the uninitiated, it’s the story of a guy (read: loser) from the future who travels to the present and uses basic future tech to convince everyone he’s a superhero. Or, as Gunn puts it: "It's the superhero story of imposter syndrome".

Like many DCU Chapter One projects, there are very few details about it. The latest intel is that Our Flag Means Death creator David Jenkins has been tapped to be Booster Gold's showrunner. Meanwhile, rumors continue to spread that Kumail Nanjiani (Eternals, The Big Sick) will play its protagonist. Messrs Gunn and Safran are yet to comment on either person's involvement.

Creature Commandos season 2

Release date: TBC
Director: TBC
Cast: TBC

Creature Commandos was renewed for a second season in December 2024. Showrunner Dean Lorey has confirmed work is already underway on its next installment (per Collider), while Gunn has confirmed he isn't writing its scripts (via Threads).

While we wait for the series' return, remind yourself what happened last time around via my Creature Commandos season 1 ending explained piece. You can also get the full lowdown on its follow-up by reading my dedicated guide on Creature Commandos season 2.

Paradise Lost

Release date: TBC
Director: TBC
Cast: TBC

Paradise Lost will go back to Wonder Woman’s idyllic island home for some political in-fighting. "It’s going to be a Game of Thrones-ish story about Themyscira, the home of the Amazons and the birthplace of Wonder Woman," Safran teased in January 2023. "This drama is really about the political intrigue behind this society of all women."

In February 2025, Gunn revealed work was continuing on this DCU Chapter One production, but a writer still hadn't been found, so this series is still a while away. Despite a Wonder Woman movie being in the works, Gunn told the I Think You're Overthinking It podcast that progress is still being made on this one, so it hasn't been canceled.

Waller

Release date: TBC
Director: TBC
Confirmed cast: Viola Davis

An Amanda Waller standalone series was expected to be Gunn's next project after Peacemaker season 2 (per Threads). However, speaking in February, Gunn said of its development: "We’ve taken a couple of cracks at it but still haven’t been able to land [it]. Waller has been a bumpy road".

As of mid-June, Gunn revealed (via Threads) it's still in development – comments he doubled-down on during a chat with People magazine in October. Once a breakthrough his achieved, Davis will headline this live-action Peacemaker spin-off on HBO Max, aka one of the world's best streaming services.

In a 2024 post on Threads, Gunn confirmed events in Peacemaker season 2 will directly lead into Waller. It's unclear if that's still the case and/or if Waller will be Peacemaker season 3 in all but name. Read my guide on Peacemaker season 3 to learn more about why the latter suggestion isn't as preposterous as it seems.

For more DC-based coverage, read our guides on how to watch the DC movies in order, how to watch the Batman movies in order, and how to watch the Superman movies in order. Then, see if you agree with our ranking of the best Batman movies.