The People Vs. Gorilla Grodd: Grodd & Matter-Eater Lad Bond In New Set Photos; Captain Atom Mentioned?

The People Vs. Gorilla Grodd: Grodd & Matter-Eater Lad Bond In New Set Photos; Captain Atom Mentioned?

These latest photos from the set of The People Vs. Gorilla Grodd feature the super-intelligent ape spending some quality time with Matter-Eater Lad...

By MarkCassidy - Sep 11, 2026 10:09 AM EST
Filed Under: DC Studios

As filming continues on the Atlanta set of The People Vs. Gorilla Grodd, these latest set photos give us our best look yet at the practical Grodd suit as the super-intelligent ape spends some quality time with Matter-Eater Lad (Eduardo Franco).

Grodd and MEL were seen grabbing a bite to eat and riding scooters (check out Grodd's T-shirt), which obviously suggests that these two will be on pretty good terms in the show. The shots also feature Skyler Gisondo as Jimmy Olsen.

A rumor is circulating that several other DC Comics characters will be mentioned or possibly appear, including Captain Atom.

Last year, Nexus Point News reported that Captain Atom will appear in season 2 of Creature Commandos. We're still not sure how he'll factor into the story, but the site claimed that this will be the Nathaniel Adam version of the character, who debuted in Captain Atom #1 back in 1987.

The original Captain Atom, Allen Adam, was created by Joe Gill and Steve Ditko during the Silver Age as part of the Charlton Comics' line-up. The character officially became part of the DC Universe in 1985 after DC purchased Charlton in 1983.

Atom has made a number of animated appearances, but has yet to make the jump to live-action. The actor who is enlisted to voice the character in Creature Commandos might go on to play him on the big screen - assuming he doesn't show up in TPVGG first.

The People vs. 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."

As previously reported, the show will also feature Superman supporting players Beck Bennett as Steve Lombard, Mikaela Hoover as Cat Grant, and Wendell Pierce as Perry White. Mary Holland, Arian Moayed, Dan Perrault, Andrew Leeds, and Tim Baltz are also on board in undisclosed roles.

The People Vs. Gorilla Grodd will also feature the DCU debuts of Heather Kelley and the Newsboy Legion.

"Between Skyler’s wonderful performance and the fantastic chemistry of the Daily Planet cast, we knew coming out of 'Superman' that this would be a fun world to explore," said DC Studios co-CEOs and TPVGG executive producers James Gunn and Peter Safran.

"We're excited to work with the brilliant Dan Perrault and Tony Yacenda to take the audience down some of the darker and funnier streets and alleyways of the DCU as Jimmy spotlights the Metropolis criminal justice system for his docuseries," they added.

Tony Yacenda and Dan Perrault, showrunners, writers, and executive producers, said: "We’re excited by the challenge of creating a series that feels less like an entry into the DCU and more like an artefact from it. A Daily Planet original documentary made for the people of Metropolis."

"We hope it’ll appeal to fans of the comics, comedy and true crime," they continued. "And while we can’t speak for audiences here yet, we already know it’s a huge hit in Metropolis. They love this series."

Amy Gravitt, Executive Vice President, HBO Programming, Head of HBO & HBO Max Comedy Series, added: "We are thrilled to be working with Tony and Dan, alongside James, Peter, the entire DC team and our colleagues at WBTV, to bring these iconic DCU characters to HBO Max in a new and unexpected way."

"We already know Skyler Gisondo is pitch-perfect as Jimmy Olsen, and we can’t wait for fans to experience Jimmy Tatro’s captivating and hilarious portrayal of Grodd."

About The Author:
MarkCassidy
Member Since 11/9/2008
Mark Cassidy is a writer, photographer, amateur filmmaker, and Rotten Tomatoes-approved critic from Dublin, Ireland.
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Nonameforme
Nonameforme - 9/11/2026, 10:47 AM
I really think this could be something special
AgentofSH1ELD
AgentofSH1ELD - 9/11/2026, 11:24 AM
@Nonameforme - lol.
Nonameforme
Nonameforme - 9/11/2026, 11:27 AM
@AgentofSH1ELD - sameness leads to failure.
AgentofSH1ELD
AgentofSH1ELD - 9/11/2026, 11:30 AM
@Nonameforme - yeah or you risk giving your fans the content they actually want and we just cant have that...
Nonameforme
Nonameforme - 9/11/2026, 11:45 AM
@AgentofSH1ELD - what you want can't be dictated. I want samara weaving to sit on my face. We dont always get what want. We have to learn to accept that fact
AgentofSH1ELD
AgentofSH1ELD - 9/11/2026, 2:38 PM
@Nonameforme - ? Of course it can. You are the fan. If you are not given the content you want, you dont watch the content. its that simple. If you dont watch it, he looses.
Nonameforme
Nonameforme - 9/11/2026, 2:43 PM
@AgentofSH1ELD - whose he and what's loose?
ArthurFuchsache
ArthurFuchsache - 9/11/2026, 10:48 AM
Me: "Matter Eating Lad? Whats a Matter Eating Lad?"

Matter Eating Lad: "Nothing, whattsa matter with you?"
InfinitePunches
InfinitePunches - 9/11/2026, 11:06 AM
Does Gunn not have anyone around who's willing to tell him that Matter Eater Lad is supposed to be born a thousand years in the future? Or do those guys just get fired?
ObserverIO
ObserverIO - 9/12/2026, 5:34 AM
@InfinitePunches - Along with Arm Fall Off Boy and the OG GOTG.

New Legion of Super Heroes comic was pretty decent btw. Hayden Sherman's killing it these days.
TheVisionary25
TheVisionary25 - 9/11/2026, 11:08 AM
Given the amount of stuff he’s ordering in the first video (granted , it’s likely for him and Grodd) , he might aswell be Matter Eater Lad tbh lol.

User Comment Image

I wouldn’t be surprised if they are shooting all the campus stuff in one go since it seems like a real college so they likely won’t have access to it again…

I could see Jimmy interviewing Eduardo Franco’s character (whose name is apparently Tenz which further adds credence to him being the DCU’s Matter Eater Lad since his real name in the comics is Tenzil Kem) about Grodd and this is us seeing the flashbacks of that etc.

Anyway , this show has me intrigued so hope it turns out well!!.

P.S: Grodd’s shirt is amusing.
SeeYouIn2036
SeeYouIn2036 - 9/11/2026, 11:09 AM
You know, for a universe that only has the IP rights to a handful of characters, the DCU isn't half bad.
Loohnutick
Loohnutick - 9/11/2026, 5:09 PM
@SeeYouIn2036 - Exactly. Gotta use what you have. Hopefully they get the rights to Batman, Wonder Woman and Flash back soon.
Mrnorth1921
Mrnorth1921 - 9/11/2026, 11:12 AM
They might be altering Grodd’s origins and make him a possible Legion dropout turned villain. That would be cool.
TheVisionary25
TheVisionary25 - 9/11/2026, 11:19 AM
@Mrnorth1921 - I don’t know about that

I think it’s more likely that Matter Eater Lad will be in modern day and a metahuman that has nothing to do with The Legion in this version.
Pau1y
Pau1y - 9/11/2026, 11:18 AM
I wonder if these college shots will be primarily flashbacks for characters remembering a time where Grodd was a "chill dude" and then he changed into a "not chill dude."
TheVisionary25
TheVisionary25 - 9/11/2026, 11:25 AM
@Pau1y - that could be…

This entire thing of being “ a chill dude” may or may not be a ruse by Grodd to get people on his side even though he might have killed his dad.
AgentofSH1ELD
AgentofSH1ELD - 9/11/2026, 11:25 AM
im wondering who the [frick] asked for this show..
Baf
Baf - 9/11/2026, 11:35 AM
@AgentofSH1ELD - Don't look a gift horse in the mouth.
AgentofSH1ELD
AgentofSH1ELD - 9/11/2026, 2:37 PM
@Baf - ? Gift horse? I WANT DC to succeed!! I love comic books. Both DC and Marvel. Its just sad that DC got so far left in the dust movie wise.
Baf
Baf - 9/11/2026, 3:01 PM
@AgentofSH1ELD - They really did. GL got slammed so hard that MOS could barely course correct. Then Snyder made some odd decisions in BVS and Justice league was rushed. Wonder Woman lost all momentum in the third act and although I love Aquaman, it was pretty whacky! Everything else pushed a dead narrative. However, I find most of the DCEU is more re-watchable than most of Marvel, so there's that.
AgentofSH1ELD
AgentofSH1ELD - 9/11/2026, 3:31 PM
@Baf - DCEU was near perfect IMO. That is what we needed. Its unfortunate Justice League soured everything. Snyders version is peak. Black Adam was fantastic. First Aquaman near perfect. Batfleck is my favorite.
Sad we wont get more of it.
DixieFlatline
DixieFlatline - 9/11/2026, 11:34 AM
I always get a laugh out of my sullen teenage nephew when I show him bizarre comic characters. So far he loves Arm-Fall-Off Boy, Big Wheel, Codpiece, and Matter-Eater Lad. He'll really enjoy this show.
Nomis929
Nomis929 - 9/11/2026, 11:48 AM
There is no way there isn't going to be some kind of bestiality scene on this show.

Not that it's unprecedented with live action comic book related material featuring anthropomorphic animals...

User Comment Image

I'm just saying it's a foregone conclsuion.
Sominan
Sominan - 9/11/2026, 12:24 PM
Looking forward to this show
ModHaterSLADE
ModHaterSLADE - 9/11/2026, 12:58 PM
Alan Ritchson as Captain Atom would be awesome.
SteviesRightFoo
SteviesRightFoo - 9/11/2026, 1:48 PM
I absolutely despise gunn
1stDalek
1stDalek - 9/11/2026, 3:03 PM
Guessing this is all Grodd's story of how life in Metropolis went. He's selling Jimmy a sympathy story and going way over the top with it. If they shoot the other side of this soon there we'll see a rather jarring tonal change and a less clothed Grodd.
TheVisionary25
TheVisionary25 - 9/11/2026, 5:37 PM
@1stDalek - honestly given Jimmy Tatro’s casting , this Grodd may just be like this but we’ll see.
1stDalek
1stDalek - 9/12/2026, 5:16 PM
@TheVisionary25 - That's very true, the casting choice reads that way.
Truoptimusprime
Truoptimusprime - 9/11/2026, 3:36 PM
I mean the Flash (Andrew Garfield 🙂‍↔️🙂‍↔️)has to show up somewhere in this show right!?
Loohnutick
Loohnutick - 9/11/2026, 5:09 PM
Introducing Iron Man in a Paste Pot Pete ass project
2BOOKOO4U
2BOOKOO4U - 9/11/2026, 10:05 PM
TRASH THE ENTIRE DCU YESTERDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ClarkJoeKent
ClarkJoeKent - 9/12/2026, 8:15 AM
DEAD Cinematic Universe
ClarkJoeKent
ClarkJoeKent - 9/12/2026, 8:17 AM
Matt Reeves gets a new contract while GUNN & SAFRAN contracts re set to EXPIRE FEB 2027!!!🙈🙈😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

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