Spoiler Warning: This article contains minor spoilers for the recent Superman movie.

After the release of Superman this past week, we can now say that we’re in the new DCU! As the DCEU has come to an end, co-presidents James Gunn and Peter Safran have taken over the studio to bring us a new take on the world of metahumans. Back in 2023, Gunn announced that the current slate of releases is a part of Chapter One: Gods and Monsters. In this article, we’re going to offer a guide to the DCU through Superman and previous entries, while also exploring the future of the franchise and other Elseworld entries.

Even though Superman is the official cinematic beginning of the DCU, Gunn has already introduced the franchise with the 2024 animated series Creature Commandos, which has a second season on the way. Gunn has also folded in elements of 2021’s The Suicide Squad, which already acted as a soft reboot to the 2016 predecessor, and the TV show spin-off, Peacemaker. The 2023 Blue Beetle movie is also being incorporated into the DCU, with Xolo Maridueña expected to return as Jaime Reyes in an animated series.

Written and directed by Gunn, Superman shows that Kal-El, played by David Corenswet, has been both Metropolis’ protector and a mild-mannered reporter for three years. Gunn has recently mentioned that a follow-up involving Corenswet is in development. Within the DCU, the opening text confirms that the superpowered metahumans have existed for three centuries. The Justice Gang is also an established team, which is owned by Maxwell Lord and has Green Lantern Guy Gardner, Mister Terrific, and Hawkgirl as the heroes. Lord is played by Sean Gunn, who has already made appearances in the DCU as G.I. Robot in Creature Commandos as well as Weasel and Calendar Man in The Suicide Squad. The Belle Reve Correctional Center was also mentioned as Lex Luthor was being arrested, which is where Task Force X and M are housed.

Creature Commandos

Looking ahead, Peacemaker Season 2 will be coming to HBO Max on August 22. Starring John Cena as the peace-loving mercenary, Christopher Smith, the trailer includes connections to the events of Superman, with Gardner, Hawkgirl, and Lord making an appearance during a Justice Gang job interview. The show also alludes to pocket universes, which may explain the loose connection between the DCEU and the DCU. The new season will also feature the third appearance of Frank Grillo as General Rick Flag Sr., the director of A.R.G.U.S. Seeing as how Peacemaker killed Rick Flag Jr. in The Suicide Squad, there’s no doubt that Grillo will have a very juicy role. Maybe Flag’s bloodlust is the reason why he’s grey-haired in Creature Commandos and jet black in Superman and Peacemaker!

Across 2026, we currently have two movies and a TV series on the horizon. On June 25, Look Up Out, as Supergirl arrives in cinemas. The movie stars Australia’s Milly Alcock as Kara Zor-El, the cousin of Kal-El. Alcock made a brief cameo in Superman, setting up her characterisation and dynamic with her superpowered dog, Krypto. Directed by Craig Gillespie and written by Ana Nogueira, the movie is based on Tom King’s Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow comic series, which depicts a True Grit-style revenge story that spans across the galaxy. The movie also has Jason Momoa returning to the DC universe, who has put down the trident to play Lobo the bounty hunter.

The creative team is also going to give the Green Lantern Corps another attempt with the upcoming HBO series, Lanterns. With Chris Mundy as the showrunner, the series is described as a True Detective-style murder mystery starring Kyle Chandler as Hal Jordan and Aaron Pierre as John Stewart. Fillion will also make an appearance as Guy Gardner, which should make for an interesting dynamic between the three space cops. Lanterns will be released in early 2026. As an impromptu project, we’re also getting a Clayface movie, which will work within the body horror genre. Starring Tom Rhys Harries, the movie was written by Mike Flanagan and Hossein Amini. Directed by James Watkins, filming is expected to begin soon, and the movie will be released on September 10, 2026.

For the rest of the franchise, there are plenty of movies and TV shows being planned. Across 2024, a Sgt. Rock movie was in active production, with Luca Guadagnino directing the project. The movie is expected to be developed again in 2026. Other movies announced include an anti-hero team-up, The Authority, and a horror, Swamp Thing, with the latter being a passion project from director James Mangold. A Teen Titans movie is also being written by Supergirl writer Ana Nogueira, which is separate from the animated Dynamic Duo movie that was announced for 2028. There are also whispers of a Deathstroke and Bane movie in the works. Gunn also recently announced that there are plans in motion for a new Justice League movie in the future.

Other television shows in development include a Waller series, with Viola Davis returning as Amanda Waller. There’s also a series called Paradise Lost on the way, which was pitched as a Game of Thrones-style epic set in Themyscira. A new Wonder Woman movie is also being written separate from the series. Booster Gold will also debut in an HBO Max series, with Kumail Nanjiani rumoured to star as the titular character. There’s also an animated Mister Miracle series in the works, which is described as adult-oriented.

Viola Davis as Amanda Waller

But the biggest question mark is around the new Batman movie, currently titled The Brave and The Bold, which features Damian Wayne as Robin. The movie will be directed by Andy Muschietti, who penned The Flash back in 2023. Despite the rumours and speculation, Gunn has confirmed that this version of Batman is currently not connected to the Matt Reeves Crime Saga, which acts as an Elseworlds entry. The Batman Part II is currently scheduled for October 2027 and stars Robert Pattinson as the Caped Crusader.

Overall, Gunn and Safran’s plans for the DCU promise a very exciting and diverse range of obscure characters, settings, and genres, and we can’t wait to see them on the big and small screens!

LEAD IMAGE: David Corenswet as Superman. Pic by Jessica Miglio