(Image: Warner Bros. Pictures)
DC Studios co-CEOs Peter Safran and James Gunn laid out a series of production updates and future operational plans for the press today. Ultimately, their goal is to release an average of two live-action films, one animated film, two live-action series, and two animated series per year. However, they stressed that this target of seven projects annually is an ideal goal, not a strict mandate, and they will not sacrifice quality to meet it. Projects will only move forward once scripts are fully polished.
(Image: DC Comics)
On the film side, they confirmed that the recently announced "Batman" villain spinoff, "Clayface," is being developed as a pure horror film aimed at audiences "who don't care at all what's going on in the DC Universe."
The film is slated to begin shooting this summer, with casting already underway. While Gunn has stated his desire for DCU characters to be played by the same actor across both live-action and animation, Alan Tudyk—who voices Clayface in the animated series "Harley Quinn" and the upcoming "Creature Commandos"—will not star in the "Clayface" movie. This is because Clayface is not his primary DCU role; Tudyk's main character is Doctor Phosphorus, whom he also voices in "Creature Commandos."
(Image: DC Studios)
In the world of animation, DC announced a trio of new series in development. The first is "My Adventures with Green Lantern," centered on the female Green Lantern, Jessica Cruz. The show will follow high-schooler Cruz after she is unexpectedly chosen by a Green Lantern ring that falls from the sky, turning her life upside down as she joins the Green Lantern Corps. Things get even more complicated when an alien threat arrives, bringing the fallout from an ancient war involving the Corps to Earth.
(Image: DC Studios)
The second animated series is "Super Powers." Set at the League School for Superheroes, the story follows a new class of students, including The Flash, Lightning, Plastic Man, Aquagirl, Green Lantern, and Terra. Under the supervision of school principal Martian Manhunter, they will hone their powers in the hopes of one day graduating to become the next generation of Earth's protectors. Michael Chang, a veteran of numerous DC animated projects like "Batman: The Brave and the Bold" and "Teen Titans," serves as supervising producer.
(Image: DC Studios)
The third series is "Starfire," a solo show centered on the Teen Titans member. The show follows her adventures after escaping her home planet in an ancient spaceship she discovers there. Along the way, she'll team up with space-biker Crush, the plant-loving Fern, and Amethyst, Princess of Gemworld, to explore the far corners of the DC universe. Brianne Drouhard, known for her character design work on shows like "Ultimate Spider-Man" and "The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes," is attached as co-executive producer.
On the animated film front, Gunn confirmed that "Dynamic Duo," the previously announced Robin movie, is not currently planned to be part of the DCU. He explained that while he considered ways to connect it, for now, it's best for the project to remain standalone. The film will explore the origins of the first two Robins, Dick Grayson and Jason Todd, and will be presented using a mix of formats, including CGI, stop-motion, and live-action performance.
(Image: DC Studios)
Additionally, Krypto, the real-life canine star appearing in the new "Superman" film, will get his own series of short films. The shorts are set to be released following the July 11 premiere of "Superman." DC confirmed that four shorts are currently in the works and will begin rolling out this fall. “We have some cool Krypto shorts that are super fun that I keep watching over and over again,” Gunn said. “Krypto is a very, very naughty dog. It’s definitely for the whole family, and it’s really fun and funny. It’s really great.”
(Image: Warner Bros. Pictures)
While many projects are moving forward, not everything is progressing smoothly. Gunn and Safran admitted that the "Swamp Thing" movie has been shelved due to director James Mangold's packed schedule. Meanwhile, the Viola Davis-led Amanda Waller series, "Waller," has stalled because the script has not yet reached a satisfactory state. Originally intended to air before "Peacemaker" Season 2, the show will now debut after it, necessitating further script adjustments.
Another project being put on the back burner is the superhero team-up film "The Authority." Due to its massive production scale and scripting challenges, it is no longer a top development priority for DC Studios.
(Image: Warner Bros. Pictures)
Finally, Gunn revealed he is mapping out a six-year story arc designed to connect the storylines of multiple DC projects and culminate in a massive crossover event on the scale of "The Avengers." However, he reiterated that each DC project will maintain a high degree of narrative independence. That independence also extends to politics. Responding to Donald Trump's pledge to combat diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, Gunn stated that his plans for the DCU will not be influenced by anyone's agenda.
via： Variety ComicBook.com