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

It's time to give my DCU Chapter One guide a good spring clean. Indeed, with James Gunn and Peter Safran's DC Universe getting a major update in late February, there are plenty of new projects and other information to add to this already lengthy hub. So, strap in, folks, because there's a lot to get through.

Luckily for you, I've broken down this DCU-focused guide into sections to make it more manageable to read through. From a list of Chapter One's full line-up of new movies and Max shows, to individual sections on those films, TV series, and everything DC Elseworlds-related, you'll be a DC expert once you reach the end of this article.

Here, then, is all we know so far about DCU Chapter One, aka 'Gods and Monsters'.

DCU Chapter One: every movie and TV show

In January 2023, Gunn revealed the DCU Chapter One's full line-up. In total, 11 projects – five movies and six TV shows – were announced. Since then, only one has been released. Another five have been greenlit, however, and have official release dates or launch windows.

As of March, there have been a couple of additions to the aforementioned initial slate. So, here's your guide on every DCU Chapter One project that's been announced, is in active development, or will be released soon:

• Superman (movie, July 11, 2025)
• Peacemaker season 2 (TV show, August 2025 (date TBC))
• Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow (movie, June 26, 2026)
• Clayface (movie, September 11, 2026)
• Lanterns (TV show, sometime in 2026 (date TBC))
• 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)
• Sergeant Rock (movie, TBC)
• Swamp Thing (movie, TBC)
• Waller (TV show, TBC)

DC Chapter One movies

Superman

Release date: July 11, 2025
Director: James Gunn
Confirmed cast: David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan, Nicholas Hoult, Nathan Fillion, Isabela Merced, Edi Gathegi, Anthony Carrigan, Maria Gabriela de Faría, Skyler Gisondo, Sara Sampaio, Pruitt Taylor Vince, and Neva Howell

The first DCU Chapter One film, Superman has been written and directed by Gunn. Corenswet, Brosnahan, and Hoult will play its three leads in the Man of Steel, Lois Lane, and Lex Luthor. The rest of the cast are playing other superheroes, villains, and supporting Clark Kent/Superman characters.

Superman's first trailer arrived in December 2024 and we all immediately fell in love with his mischievous canine buddy Krypto the Superdog. It teased plenty more of what to expect from the forthcoming flick, too, but I'll refrain from spoiling anything that was shown. For more details on this flick, check out my dedicated Superman movie hub.

Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow

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

Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow will be the first solo big-screen outing for Superman’s cousin since the Helen Slater-starring 1984 movie. The character appeared in The Flash and her self-titled CW show, though, so she won't be completely *ahem* alien to audiences.

Milly Alcock, who played a young Rhaenyra Targaryen in House of the Dragon, will star as the titular hero – Alcock being confirmed as Kara Zor-El just days after Gunn whittled down his Supergirl casting list to two stars last January.

Supporting cast-wise, Krypto is expected to make an appearance, while 3 Body Problem's Eve Ridley will play Ruthye Marye Knoll. Momoa was confirmed to be playing the immortal warrior known as Lobo before New Year's Eve 2024.

Lastly on the cast front, Deadline claims Matthias Schoenaerts has been hired to play the movie's villain, while The Hollywood Reporter (THR) suggests David Krumholtz and Emily Beecham are on board as Kara's Kryptonian parents.

Inspired by Tom King’s comic-book run of the same name, it'll arrive almost one year after Superman. Ana Nogeuira has written the script, while Gillespie is its director. Filming began in late January and its start date was commemorated by the first official image of Alcock's Supergirl, albeit one of her sitting in a chair with her back to the camera.

Clayface

Release date: September 11, 2026
Director: James Watkins
Cast: TBC

Billed as a low-budget horror film – THR claims it'll have a $40 million budget – that Safran described as being "DC's [version of] The Fly" (per Phase Zero's Brandon Davis), a Clayface movie is officially in the works and it'll be based in the DCU (via Gunn on X/Twitter).

Horror auteur Mike Flanagan has written Clayface's script and Speak No Evil director James Watkins recently boarded it as its director. It'll release it in September 2026 (per Variety) and filming is due to begin in mid-2025 (per Deadline).

An actor hasn't been found to play one of Batman's many iconic villains, but Alan Tudyk has voiced the character in Harley Quinn and Creature Commandos. Could he be a good fit for Basil Karlo/the titular shapeshifter in what's also been described as a horror tragedy flick?

The Brave and the Bold

Release date: TBC
Director: Andy Muschietti
Cast: TBC

Based on Grant Morrison’s popular run of comic books, The Brave and the Bold's movie adaptation – one of TechRadar's most anticipated DCU Chapter One projects – will see Bruce Wayne teaming up with his violent and narcissistic son Damian, a teen raised by assassins who goes on to become Bat-sidekick Robin.

The Flash’s Andy Muschietti will direct it. A writer has been found, but remains nameless as Gunn and Safran don't want to put pressure on him. Gunn is also heavily involved in developing its script, too.

Anyway, Muschietti recently said its development has been delayed so it doesn't clash with The Batman Part II, aka the sequel to Matt Reeves' The Batman, which are both DC Elseworlds projects and are part of 'The Batman Crime Saga' alongside The Penguin.

Creature Commandos did give us our first look at the DCU's Batman, albeit it's a disappointing cameo I've been willing to forgive since his brief appearance in that animated show.

The Authority

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

DCU Chapter One will introduce The Authority, a lesser known team of antiheroes who feel right up Gunn’s street. However, at a DCU press event in February, Gunn said progress is slow moving on this one, adding: "(It’s) the one that got messed with through all of the other things that were happening. The script had a harder time coming along". It's possible, then, that this movie might get scrapped.

If it isn't, it'll be based on Warren Ellis and Bryan Hitch's comic series (released via DC’s Wildstorm imprint) and focus on the eponymous group who are prepared to use any means necessary to save the day – a modus operandi rather like Peacemaker’s heavy-handed quest for peace.

De Faría should feature as The Engineer following her appearance in Superman, but no-one else has been cast. That'll remain the case until a breakthrough is made on its script.

Swamp Thing

Release date: TBC
Director: TBC
Cast: TBC

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

This new take on the character is still being written by James Mangold (Logan, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny). However, Safran says "the ball is really in his [Mangold's] court" about whether he wants to continue working on it.

Sgt Rock

Release date: TBC
Director: TBC
Cast: TBC

After making his DCU debut in Creature Commandos episode 3, Sergeant Rock is getting a standalone movie. Call Me By Your Name's Luca Guadagnino is directing it and Challengers' Justin Kuritzkes will pen its screenplay. Colin Farrell is reportedly in talks to star (via THR) and, if he signs on, filming could begin in mid-2025.

“What we love about Sgt Rock is the opportunity to tell a story about heroism and conflict in compelling and unique way," Safran said the February press event. "Justin really wrote a wonderful screenplay and that’s what catapulted that project to the forefront."

DCU Chapter One TV shows

Peacemaker season 2

Release window: August 2025
Director: James Gunn
Confirmed cast: John Cena, Frank Grillo, Danielle Brooks, Jennifer Holland, Steve Agee, Freddie Stroma, Robert Patrick, and Tim Meadows

Although it existed as a DCEU TV spin-off of The Suicide Squad, Gunn is making a second season of Peacemaker, which will sit under the DCU banner.

Peacemaker season 2 will release this August and its first footage arrived as part of a 'new on Max' in 2025 trailer. That included our first look at Frank Grillo's live-action take on Rick Flag Sr. following his animated debut in Creature Commandos, and confirmed the 11th Street Kids – Economos, Emilia Harcourt, Leota Adebayo, and Adrian Chase/Vigilante – will be part of proceedings.

Newcomers wise, Tim Meadows is on board as ARGUS agent Langston Fleury, while Gunn has stated Robert Patrick will somehow return as Peacemaker's deceased father. According to The Wrap, Sol Rodríguez and David Denman have also boarded the project. Rodríguez will reportedly play someone named Sasha Bordeaux, but Denman's role hasn't been disclosed. Finally, Gunn teased the addition of a new mystery character for Peacemaker 2, which sparked a fierce debate among fans about who they might be.

Lanterns

Release date: sometime in 2026
Director: TBC
Confirmed cast: Aaron Pierre, Kyle Chandler, and Nathan Fillion

DC is reviving another of its beloved superheroes on the small screen in Lanterns, a Green Lantern show that was officially greenlit in June 2024. Gunn and Safran say this 'Gods and Monsters' project will arrive sometime in 2026.

Filming began on February 28 and its production start date was marked by the first official image of Pierre's John Stewart and Chandler's Hal Jordan (see above). Previously, Lanterns' creative team was revealed last May, with one particular addition being a perfect fit for its crime thriller tendencies.

As for its supporting cast, Kelly McDonald (per Variety), Garret Dillahunt (via Deadline), and Poorna Jagannathan (also Deadline) were all reportedly offered roles in 2024.

More recently, Ulrich Thomsen (via Deadline), Nicole Ari Parker (per Variety), and Jason Ritter (Variety once more) have also signed on in undisclosed roles.

Creature Commandos season 2

Release date: TBC
Director: TBC
Cast: TBC

Following its season 1 debut in late 2024, Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) has renewed the DCU's first animated show for a second season. Showrunner Dean Lorey has confirmed work is already underway on its next installment as well (per Collider).

While we wait for more details on what its story will entail, remind yourself what happened in last season's final episode by reading my Creature Commandos season 1 ending explained piece. Then, get the full lowdown on its follow-up via my Creature Commandos season 2 hub.

Waller

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

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

If a breakthrough his achieved, Davis will headline this live-action Peacemaker spin-off on Max, aka one of the world's best streaming services. In a 2024 post on Threads, Gunn confirmed events in Peacemaker season 2 will directly lead into Waller, too.

Paradise Lost

Release date: TBC
Director: TBC
Cast: TBC

Lanterns isn’t the only DCU Chapter One release taking its cues from one of the best Max shows, because Paradise Lost will go back to Wonder Woman’s island home for some political in-fighting. "It’s going to be a Game of Thrones-ish story about Themyscira, the home of the Amazons and the birthplace of Wonder Woman," Safran teased in January 2023. "This drama is really about the political intrigue behind this society of all women."

In February, Gunn revealed work was continuing on this DCU Chapter One production, but a writer still hadn't been found, so this series is still a while away. Still, Creature Commandos contained three big teases that set up Wonder Woman's DCU debut, so that's some Wonder Woman stuff to enjoy!

Booster Gold

Release date: TBC
Director: TBC
Cast: TBC

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

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

Like many DCU Chapter One projects, there are very few details about it. Speaking at February's press event, Safran admitted a showrunner had been found, but they ultimately walked away from the project. However, it is "moving forward with somebody else", he added, so development hasn't officially stalled.

DC Elseworlds: The Batman sequel and beyond

Non-DCEU releases, including The Batman, have been among Warner Bros’ biggest box-office hits recently, so it's a smart move that their sequels and spin-offs won’t be shoehorned into the DCU. Instead, they're releasing under the Elseworlds banner, a nod to a DC Comics imprint of the same name.

However, DC Studios won’t go overboard on stories that exist outside the main universe's continuity. "The bar for Elseworlds tales is going to have to be higher than the bar for something within the DCU," Gunn said (per Collider). "Not that we’re not always going to have a high bar, but it’s got to be something really special for us to tell that story outside of our regular continuity, and to spend the money on it to make it."

Here's a brief rundown of the Elseworlds projects that have been announced so far:

The Batman Part II

Release date: October 1, 2027
Director: Matt Reeves
Confirmed cast: Robert Pattinson, Jeffrey Wright, Andy Serkis, and Colin Farrell

The follow-up to 2022's critically-acclaimed detective noir take on the Caped Crusader, this flick was supposed to arrive in October 2025. However, The Batman Part 2's release was delayed by a full year (thanks to the 2023 Hollywood strikes) in March 2024 before being delayed again during the 2024 holiday season. Now, it'll arrive in late 2027.

Taking to Threads last December, Gunn confirmed the delay was down to Reeves and co-writer Mattson Tomlin needing more time to iron out the script. Reeves also revealed (per Deadline) that personal issues had impacted its development. More recently, Pattinson told Deadline that filming should begin in late 2025.

Pattinson will reprise his role as Gotham's protector-in-chief, while Andy Serkis, Jeffrey Wright, and Colin Farrell – the latter fresh off his leading role in The Penguin, which may or may not get a second season – are all back as Alfred Pennyworth, Jim Gordon, and Oz Cobb. Barry Keoghan has also seemingly teased he'll be back as Joker (per ETalk). For more details on everything about this film, read my hub on The Batman Part II.

Dynamic Duo

Release date: June 30, 2028
Director: Arthur Mintz
Confirmed cast: TBC

Announced in October 2024, Dynamic Duo will be an animated flick that's being written by Matt Aldritch, and is being produced by Reeves' 6th and Idaho company. It'll be a joint venture between DC Studios and Warner Bros Pictures Animation, too, with visionary animation studio Swaybox helming its production.

Aside from its recently announced launch date and director, little is know about this DCU Chapter One-adjacent flick, but it'll follow the adventures of two characters who went on to become Robin – those being Dick Grayson and Jason Todd. Other details are being kept under lock and key for now.

Other Elseworlds projects

There are other DC Elseworlds movies that are in development or rumored to be, too.

Taking to Threads in January 2024, Gunn confirmed that J.J Abrams and Ta-Nehisi Coates' Superman film, which has been in the works for years, is still being developed. However, a December 2024 Variety report claimed that, while it's not been canceled, there's been no movement on this project since early 2023.

Elsewhere, a new Teen Titans flick is coming from Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow scribe Ana Nogueira, with Gunn confirming she's turned in a first draft of its script.

Meanwhile, an animated Blue Beetle series is also on the way, with Safran saying " [it's] getting to a place and they’re going to present for a greenlight really soon. It follows on the events of that movie [2023's live-action Blue Beetle film]."

Three other animated series are being made at DC Studios, too. Those are Starfire, DC Super Powers, and My Adventures With Green Lantern. All three were announced during February's DCU press event

Lastly, in September 2024, THR and Deadline claimed a Bane and Deathstroke-starring film was in the early stages of being created. Gunn and Safran wouldn't admit this was the case in February, but confirmed that Matthew Orton, who is said to be working on it, is writing something for DC Studios.

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 the best Batman movies. Alternatively, find out which DC films made it onto our best Max movies list.