The People vs Gorilla Grodd is a true-crime mockumentary, unlike anything we've seen from DC before. The series appears largely comedic in tone, which was made clear by videos showing Grodd singing and dancing.
Some fans are unhappy that one of The Flash's most formidable foes is seemingly being played for laughs, but could The People vs. Gorilla Grodd be a little more serious than suspected?
In an interview with Deadline, Jimmy Olsen actor Skyler Gisondo confirmed that filming has now wrapped and that the show—which is expected to be released sometime after Man of Tomorrow in 2027—has surprisingly high stakes.
"I can say American Vandal is one of my favorite shows of all time. Dan Perrault and Tony Yacenda, who were behind that show, are also behind this one," the actor, who is expected to lead the series alongside Grodd, started. "For what this show is, I don’t think there was anybody else in the world who could have done it or who could have done what they would’ve done."
"I think it’s an approach to this world that I’ve certainly never seen before. People can expect something different," Gisondo continued. "In the movie, Jimmy, because you’re getting a smaller dose of him, it’s [not as big of a performance]. On the show, I can be a little more off-the-wall in some ways. I can take bigger swings."
"I think the stakes of the show are surprisingly big. It’s deeply funny, and I think people are going to be surprised by the stakes, where it goes, and how big it gets," he added, suggesting The People vs. Gorilla Grodd could impact the wider DCU. "It’s definitely a more intense version of Jimmy Olsen than we’ve seen before. I don’t think I can get fired for anything I just said [Laughs]."
If the series introduces the DCU's Barry Allen, then it will definitely leave a lasting impact. Either way, after Creature Commandos teased the possibility of Grodd one day conquering Earth alongside Circe, DC Studios may use the show to set him up as a bigger threat down the line.
The People v. Gorilla Grodd follows a superintelligent ape who is convicted of murdering his father, the King of Gorilla City. In an eight-part "true" crime docuseries, the Daily Planet's Jimmy Olsen reopens the case, investigating whether Gorilla Grodd was wrongly convicted in one of Metropolis' most famous murder trials.
The Max Original comedy stars Skyler Gisondo as Jimmy Olsen, Jimmy Tatro as Gorilla Grodd, and Superman actors Beck Bennett as Steve Lombard, Mikaela Hoover as Cat Grant, and Wendell Pierce as Perry White.
The series also stars Mary Holland, Eduardo Franco, Arian Moayed, Dan Perrault, Andrew Leeds, and Tim Baltz. Their respective roles have not been revealed. Tony Yacenda and Dan Perrault will serve as showrunners, writers, and executive producers, with Yacenda set to direct all episodes. James Gunn and Peter Safran also serve as executive producers.
The People vs. Gorilla Grodd will likely premiere on HBO Max in 2027 or 2028.