In a new episode of the DC Studios Showcase podcast, James Gunn, co-head of DC Studios and acclaimed director of Guardians of the Galaxy, provided fans with an exciting glimpse into the evolving DC Universe (DCU). From a new vision for Superman to unexpected horror elements in Clayface, Gunn laid out the roadmap for this ambitious cinematic universe.
Superman: Breaking the Mold
Discussing Superman: Legacy, Gunn revealed his decision to diverge from his signature use of needle-drop soundtracks. Known for the nostalgic and emotionally resonant Awesome Mixtapes in Guardians of the Galaxy, Gunn admitted he was challenging himself by relying primarily on score this time.
“I love putting songs in movies. And there’s two—you know, a couple of songs in Superman, but mostly it’s score,” Gunn said. “You know, one of the ways I feel like that I’m able to grow as a director or an artist is to take away things that I rely on.”
This marks a bold step in redefining Superman’s story while exploring new artistic dimensions.
Creature Commandos and Consequences
Reflecting on the animated success of Creature Commandos, Gunn praised its mix of humor, action, and heartfelt storytelling. The show, centered on a team of monstrous antiheroes, has resonated with audiences and critics alike. Gunn highlighted the importance of stakes in these stories, emphasizing the weight of permanent consequences.
“I will say I’m pretty big on killing people and not bringing them back,” Gunn remarked. “When you start doing that all the time, then it doesn’t mean anything. And I want for people to go see my shows and my movies and everything else and be like, if somebody’s life is at stake, that has real stakes.”
Live Action vs. Animation: A Different Vibe
Transitioning characters from animation to live action is another challenge Gunn enjoys tackling. He stressed the importance of consistency in characterization across mediums while also relishing the grounded, grittier storytelling live action affords.
“When you’re filming these same characters, same actors in a totally different type of situation and role that’s much more based around character than it is around plot, there’s a totally different vibe to it,” Gunn explained. He teased that characters from Peacemaker will make appearances in Superman: Legacy, bridging the interconnected DCU.
Lobo and Supergirl Take Center Stage
Among the most anticipated projects is Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, where Jason Momoa takes on the role of Lobo, a long-overdue cinematic debut for the fan-favorite antihero. Gunn also cast Milly Alcock (House of the Dragon) as Supergirl, a choice he described as instinctive.
“I knew I wanted her in the role from the moment I saw her on House of the Dragon,” he said. Alcock’s portrayal promises to bring a unique perspective to Supergirl’s themes of isolation and perseverance.
Lanterns: Grounded Cosmic Storytelling
Gunn painted an exciting picture of Lanterns, a detective-style drama following Kyle Chandler as Hal Jordan and Aaron Pierre as John Stewart. Describing it as “grounded and real,” Gunn highlighted its unique approach to the cosmic mythology of Green Lanterns.
“It’s taking this outlandish concept of space cops with magic rings and putting it in as close to reality as it can possibly be,” Gunn said.
Clayface: A Dive into Body Horror
Unexpectedly, Gunn revealed an R-rated body horror film focused on Clayface. Initially unplanned, the project delves into darker territory for the DCU.
“Like, it’s just a great horror movie that is a great, smart, fun, fun horror movie in a genre that I happen to love, which is body horror,” Gunn noted.
The Road Ahead
The DCU continues to expand, with Superman: Legacy releasing on July 11, 2025, followed by Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow and Lanterns in 2026. Fans can anticipate a blend of grounded drama, cosmic storytelling, and thrilling surprises in Gunn’s vision. Which project excites you most?
