Anyone hoping James Gunn would personally take on the DCU's Teen Titans movie can put that idea to rest. The DC Studios co-CEO was asked directly on Threads earlier this week whether he would be writing and directing the film, and his answer was as short as it gets: "No."
The response came as part of a quick round of fan questions about the DCU. In the same exchange, Gunn said the Batman suit for the new Dark Knight has not been designed yet, admitted he was unsure whether Wally West is currently active in the DCU, confirmed that Blue Beetle the character is canon, and said that Shazam and Black Adam are not.
Ana Nogueira Is Still Writing Teen Titans
The Teen Titans movie has been in development since 2024, when Ana Nogueira was hired to write the script. Nogueira has since become one of the busiest writers at DC Studios. She wrote Supergirl, which hit theaters earlier this year, and she is also writing the new Wonder Woman movie.
That second assignment is a big reason Teen Titans has moved slowly. Gunn revealed in 2025 that he had asked Nogueira to shift her attention to Wonder Woman, and that the studio had not yet received a finished Teen Titans script. At the time, he acknowledged the project had taken a back seat to other films in development.
Back in May, Gunn also shot down a report claiming Euphoria creator Sam Levinson was in talks to direct, saying DC Studios was not yet speaking with directors about the project. With Gunn now confirming he is not stepping in either, the director's chair is still wide open.
Gunn Has His Hands Full
It is easy to understand why Gunn would pass. He wrote and directed Superman, and he is busy with Man of Tomorrow, the follow-up set to hit theaters in July 2027. On top of that, he and Peter Safran are overseeing the entire DCU slate across film, television and animation, which leaves very little room for another project of his own.
Gunn has also been open with fans about which DCU projects he is personally involved in, and Threads has become one of his go-to places for clearing up rumors. A one-word answer is about as clear as it gets, and it should stop the speculation that he might take on the team himself after Superman.
Gunn has also said he prefers to work with filmmakers who have a strong personal vision for a character, so it would not be surprising to see DC Studios look for a director with a very specific take on the team once Nogueira's script is ready.
Who Could Join The DCU's Teen Titans?
No official roster has been announced. The classic lineup from the hugely popular 2003 Cartoon Network series, Robin, Starfire, Raven, Cyborg and Beast Boy, is the version most general audiences know, and many fans expect the film to draw from that group.
Gunn's comment about Wally West is also interesting in that context. Wally has been a key Titans member in the comics for decades, so his status in the DCU could have a direct impact on who joins the team. Robin's place is likewise tied up in what DC Studios decides for The Brave and the Bold and its version of Batman and Damian Wayne.
The Titans also had a four-season live-action run on HBO Max with Titans, which ended in 2023, but that show exists outside of the new DCU continuity.
What Comes Next
For now, Teen Titans remains in development with no director, cast or release date. Given how busy Nogueira has been with Supergirl and Wonder Woman, it may be a while before the project picks up speed, but at least fans now know it will be someone other than Gunn taking it to the finish line.
Who would you like to see direct the DCU's Teen Titans movie now that James Gunn has ruled himself out?
Sound off with your thoughts in the comments below.