When DC Studios co-CEOs James Gunn and Peter Safran unveiled a slate for the DCU at the start of 2023, it increasingly looks like much of that rollout was conceptual rather than final. Nearly three years after “Chapter 1: Gods and Monsters” was announced, Gunn himself has acknowledged uncertainty about which legacy characters currently count as canon within the shared world.
Asked whether Wonder Woman and The Flash (not necessarily the Gal Gadot and Ezra Miller portrayals) are part of the DCU, Gunn admitted, “Yeah, are they canon? I don’t know. We’ll have to wait and see. I mean, they’ll exist eventually. Whether they exist now, I don’t know.” He also confirmed Wonder Woman remains a priority and that Supergirl writer Ana Nogueira is working on a Wonder Woman screenplay. Gunn added that the studio is trying to move projects forward promptly, noting they need writers who won’t take years to produce scripts.
Looking ahead, DC Studios has a relatively small near-term slate: Supergirl and Clayface are set for release next year, while The Batman Part II is scheduled for 2027 — but that film is an Elseworlds story and won’t directly expand the DCU continuity. That leaves the broader 10-year plan from Gunn and Safran still largely opaque as fans await clarity on how iconic characters will be integrated.
Peacemaker season 2, which follows Christopher “Peacemaker” Smith as he grapples with his past while pursuing his warped idea of peace, premieres on HBO on August 21. The new season explores an alternate world that forces the character to confront trauma and shape his future.
Additional comments and context
– The current approach appears cautious and iterative: DC Studios is prioritizing getting key flagship characters — Wonder Woman and Batman — right before committing to them as connective pieces of the shared universe.
– Focusing on television and a selective film slate could allow the studio to rebuild audience trust and develop characters more deeply before launching a broader interconnected franchise.
– Elseworlds projects like The Batman Part II may still satisfy fans and tell compelling standalone stories even if they don’t expand the shared continuity.
What to watch for next
– Official announcements about Wonder Woman and Batman projects and whether they’ll tie into the DCU continuity.
– The reception to Supergirl and Clayface next year, which could influence how aggressively DC Studios pursues interconnected storytelling.
– Early reviews and audience response to Peacemaker season 2 after its August 21 premiere.
Brief summary
James Gunn acknowledges uncertainty about which legacy DC characters are currently canon in the DCU. Wonder Woman remains a priority with a screenplay in development by Ana Nogueira. Near-term releases include Supergirl and Clayface; The Batman Part II (2027) is an Elseworlds story. Peacemaker season 2 debuts on HBO on August 21.
Hopeful perspective
Although the lack of immediate clarity can be frustrating, a deliberate, character-first approach — especially when focused on foundational figures like Wonder Woman and Batman — could produce a stronger, more cohesive DCU in the long run. Peacemaker season 2 offers a timely chance for the studio to build audience goodwill and momentum while larger continuity decisions are finalized.