Since taking charge of DC Studios in 2023, James Gunn has announced an ambitious slate of movies and TV shows designed to launch a new DC Universe. However, almost three years later, not everything has gone according to plan.
We've talked a lot about the unmade projects from that initial "Chapter 1: Gods and Monsters" slate, but what of those reported on since then? While Man of Tomorrow should help establish the franchise's future, several other projects have spent years in development, gone quiet or seemingly fallen by the wayside. Some have received significant creative attachments, while others may remain little more than concepts.
From a new Wonder Woman movie to the long-awaited return of Blue Beetle, we're looking back at seven DCU projects announced since 2023 and assessing whether they'll actually make it to screens...
7. Wonder Woman
Shortly before Supergirl hit theaters, the news broke that writer Ana Nogueira had been tapped to write the Wonder Woman reboot. However, Supergirl was a critical and commercial flop, leaving fans to question whether it was wise to trust Nogueira with the DCU's Diana Prince.
The extent of her involvement with Wonder Woman is now unclear, but Gunn may choose to keep her on board. Christina Hodson delivered two largely unpopular DC movies with Harley Quinn: Birds of Prey and The Flash, but the DC Studios co-CEO has fully backed the writer for The Brave and the Bold (going so far as to try and keep her involvement under wraps to spare her the wrath of fans).
Gunn has gone back and forth on whether Wonder Woman is being fast-tracked, but the Amazon is expected to debut in next summer's Man of Tomorrow, regardless.
6. Savage Hunters
Gunn hasn't said much about this planned Deathstroke and Bane team-up movie, though we know Matthew Orton (Captain America: Brave New World) is attached to write the screenplay. Peacemaker Season 2 director Greg Mottola, meanwhile, is thought to be the frontrunner to direct.
There's been speculation about the action being set in Salvation. That's intriguing, but a seemingly random pairing of two Batman villains in their own movie has received a mixed response from those eager for The Brave and the Bold to hurry up and become a reality.
Villain-led movies have a mixed track record, so this would be a bold move on DC Studios' part; perhaps we'll meet this duo in the Dark Knight's upcoming solo outing first?
5. Mister Terrific
Following Edi Gathegi's scene-stealing performance as Mister Terrific in Superman, it wasn't long before reports emerged that DC Studios was considering giving Michael Holt his own TV series.
That project has since taken a significant step forward, with The Sandman writer Allan Heinberg reportedly tapped to pen the pilot. The series is in active development, although there's been no confirmation that it has received a full series order.
Does the character need his own spin-off? Well, does Jimmy Olsen? DC Studios clearly feels that there are more stories to tell with the character, and this one has potential if a compelling enough story can be found.
4. Teen Titans
A Teen Titans movie was first mentioned in 2024, with Supergirl writer Ana Nogueira hired to pen the screenplay (something about her adaptation of Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow clearly impressed Gunn and Safran).
There's no shortage of potential stories to adapt with this young team of heroes, and the Teen Titans remain one of DC's most recognisable superhero teams yet to receive a proper live-action movie. However, before this can move any further, Gunn needs to figure out who The Brave and the Bold's Robin is.
Following backlash from fans, he's seemingly moved on from the idea of jumping straight to Damian Wayne, presumably to give Dick Grayson his due.
3. Sgt. Rock
This World War II-set adventure promised to be a very different kind of DC movie, with Challengers and Queer filmmaker Luca Guadagnino attached to direct and Justin Kuritzkes writing Sgt. Rock's screenplay.
Colin Farrell was reportedly in talks to play the title character after Daniel Craig exited the project, and The Batman star was said to be particularly enthusiastic about the script. However, the movie was put on hold in 2025 due to creative differences with Guadagnino.
While Gunn has said that Sgt. Rock would be revisited, DC Studios appears to have abandoned the movie for some reason. It's possible the concept as a whole just wasn't working, which is why the character has been shelved for now.
2. John Constantine
With Clayface taking DC Studios into R-rated horror territory, the news broke this week that Evil Dead Wrath filmmaker Francis Galluppi has been tapped to write a new movie centred on John Constantine. The Hellblazer is one of DC Comics' most interesting supernatural characters, and his big-screen return is long overdue.
However, it's worth noting that this project is in very early development, with no other creative attachments currently known. There's also the question of whether this movie will be connected to the DCU or developed as an Elseworlds story.
Keanu Reeves has spent years trying to get a sequel to his 2005 Constantine movie off the ground, and Gunn has previously acknowledged discussions about that project. Alas, that's clearly been scrapped in preference for this version, which does seem like a wise choice on Gunn and Safran's part.
1. Blue Beetle
Jaime Reyes was introduced in the 2023 Blue Beetle movie (set in the DCEU), and Gunn has subsequently confirmed that the character will be part of the new shared universe.
An animated Blue Beetle series was reported to be in development in 2024, with Miguel Puga attached to direct and Cristian Martinez writing. The live-action movie's director, Angel Manuel Soto, and screenwriter Gareth Dunnet-Alcocer were also expected to serve as executive producers.
Gunn has said that the series was "still very much in development," but it does somewhat feel like this one has fallen by the wayside. Fear not, though, as Xolo Maridueña is set to reprise his role as Blue Beetle in next summer's Man of Tomorrow movie.