Chapter 1 Gods and Monsters explained. After months of cajoling, hints, teases, and nudges from fans, James Gunn and Peter Safran, the co-bosses of DC Studios, have finally revealed the slate of DC movies and TV shows that are going to kick off their new DCU.
So what can we expect from the DCU? Well, the first phase is called Titled Chapter 1: Gods and Monsters, and Gunn and Safran have announced an absolute boatload of new movies and TV series. We’re talking about Superman movies, Batman movies, a cop show, an animated series, and even a horror movie.
With all this news flying around about the future of the DCU, it’s easy to get lost but don’t worry. We’ve broken everything down into a neat little package for you. Here’s everything you need to know about all the upcoming DC movies in Chapter 1: Gods and Monsters. Now if you’ll excuse us, we’re off to work out how to watch all these DC movies in order.
Chapter 1 – Gods and Monsters explained:
- Creature Commandos
- Waller
- Superman: Legacy
- Lanterns
- The Authority
- Paradise Lost
- The Brave and the Bold
- The Batman Part 2
- Booster Gold
- Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow
- Swamp Thing
- Wonder Woman 3
Creature Commandos
A seven-part animated series Creature Commandos will put a modern spin on the classic team, who are a group of supernatural beings assembled to fight the Nazis. Intriguingly, Warners wants the voice cast to cross over into the live-action DCU. For more on this bunch of weirdos, check out our guide explaining everything you need to know about the Creature Commandos release date.
Waller
A Suicide Squad and Peacemaker spin-off, Waller will bring back Viola Davis as the titular Amanda Waller, the head of a clandestine government black-ops group. Christal Henry of Watchmen fame and Jeremy Carver, the creator of the recently canceled Doom Patrol TV series, are set to write the show. Waller’s always been one of our favorites, and we’ll be counting down the days until the Waller release date.
Superman: Legacy
The first film of Chapter One will be a Superman movie because, of course, it will be. Written and directed by James Gunn, Superman Legacy will explore the earliest days of Superman’s heroic career. Apparently, though, it is not an origin story.
“It’s not an origin story,” Safran explained. “It focuses on Superman balancing his Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing. He is the embodiment of truth, justice, and the American way. He is kindness in a world that thinks that kindness is old-fashioned.”
David Corenswet has been cast as Superman, and Rachel Brosnahan has been cast as Lois Lane. Learn more about the Superman: Legacy release date here, or to catch up on Clark Kent, here is how to watch all the Superman movies in order.
Lanterns
Another TV series, Lanterns, will feature the Green Lanterns Hal Jordan and John Stewart as they try and figure out an Earth-based case. It’s going to be like the superhero version of True Detective (aka one of the best TV series of all time), which, as far as elevator pitches go, is a pretty good one.
The Authority
The Authority is a group of extreme anti-heroes from the ’90s. Honestly, we’re surprised they’re getting a movie so early. Still, Gunn and Safran wanted to showcase the different moralities at play in their cinematic universe and that it’s not just a world of heroes and villains.
Paradise Lost
A Wonder Woman prequel TV series (does that imply we’re keeping Gal Gadot canon?) set on Themyscira. It’s been described as a fantasy series like Game of Thrones in that it’ll be more about the politics at play on the island rather than more extensive superheroic adventures.
The Brave and the Bold
Batman’s coming to the DCU, but he’s not alone. He’ll have his sidekick Robin with him. This isn’t the clean-cut Dick Grayson or Tim Drake you’ve seen in other Batman cartoons, though. This is Damien Wayne, Bruce’s biological son, who he had with the villain Talia Al-Gul.
The film will be based on Grant Morrison’s seminal run on the Batman books, which is a solid foundation on which to build the Dark Knight, although it won’t be the only version of the Caped Crusader we get. Read more about The Brave and the Bold release date here.
The Batman Part 2
Robert Pattinson’s not joining the DCU; his version of Batman is staying in his little corner in another universe Gunn and Safran called Elseworlds. We now know The Batman 2 release date as well. It’s coming on October 3, 2025.
Booster Gold
Another TV series based on a lesser-known hero, Booster Gold, sounds like it’s going to be a superhero comedy starring no one’s favorite member of the Justice League.
Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow
Supergirl is a movie it explores the differences between Superman (who was raised in the comfort of Earth) and Supergirl, who spent her earliest years fighting to survive. Obviously, this version of the character will be a lot more hardcore than other interpretations of the character. Read more about the Supergirl Woman of Tomorrow release date here.
Swamp Thing
Show me someone who doesn’t like Swamp Thing, and I’ll show you someone who hasn’t given Swamp Thing a chance. In all seriousness, his film’s set to be the DCU’s first horror movie, and we’ve heard rumors that James Mangold, the man behind one of the best superhero movies ever, may direct it. Learn more about the Swamp Thing release date here.
Wonder Woman 3
We didn’t think a Wonder Woman 3 release date would ever happen, but new information from Gal Gadot herself seems to confirm Wonder Woman is coming to Gunn’s DCU. This makes the timeline… messier. But at this point, it’s already chaos, so why not?
What’s happening to the already-announced DC movies?
There are only two movies left in the original DCEU, Aquaman 2 and Blue Beetle. There have been conflicting reports on Blue Beetle’s future in the DCU, but we’re pretty confident that once Aquaman 2’s been and gone, that will be the end of much of the universe Zack Snyder started.
If you are still after super content, here are our lists of the best DC characters and the best DC villains of all time. Also, check out our lists of the best superhero movies of all time and the best movies ever made.
And if you still aren’t satisfied, we have guides on how to watch all the Batman movies in order and everything you need to know about the Aquaman 2 release date.