James Gunn confirmed that fans can expect a lot more crossover potential from the future of the DC Universe across various mediums. While answering fan questions on Twitter, Gunn, the newly-appointed co-CEO of DC Studios, addressed whether he intends to create more shows for established live-action DC protagonists. "Yes, most definitely," the director wrote, assuring the fan that "the DCU will be connected across film and TV (and animation)." Gunn also responded to a user asking whether the DCU will retain "standalone animation or live-action shows that take place in separate worlds," confirming that this is still the case.
Both Gunn and co-chair Peter Safran are currently working on a "DC Universe Bible" for the live-action superhero franchise that, according to Warner Bros. Discovery's David Zaslav, is almost done. The two replaced former DC Films president Walter Hamada, who officially stepped down from his company role in October. Soon after, the DC Extended Universe was rebranded under the new title, "DC Universe."
According to Gunn, he and Safran will reveal their narrative plans to Zaslav and other Warner Bros. Discovery executives very soon, though he left it unclear when this news will be made available to the general public. It was also previously confirmed that Gunn and Safran have a ten-year-plan "to tell one great overarching story... across film, television gaming, live-action, and animation."
The Future of the DC Universe
DC's shift to an interconnected continuity comes as another major franchise, The CW Arrowverse, faces ongoing cancelations. Following 2020's Crisis on Infinite Earths crossover event and the series finales of Arrow and Supergirl, The CW opted not to renew multiple Arrowverse shows likes Batwoman, DC's Legends of Tomorrow and Naomi in early 2022. Now under the ownership of Nexstar Media Group, who revealed that "minimal" DC shows will be developed going forward, the network has since canceled Stargirl and confirmed that The Flash's next season will be the last. This leaves Superman & Lois as the last major uncanceled CW DC series, with other live-action shows like Doom Patrol, Titans and Gunn's own DCU spinoff Peacemaker airing exclusively on HBO Max.
Alongside Peacemaker, Gunn wrote and directed The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special. Serving as the Marvel Cinematic Universe's final Phase 4 entry, the special follows Mantis and Drax as they try to lighten up Star-Lord around Christmastime by kidnapping actor Kevin Bacon -- whom Gunn referenced in his first Guardians movie -- as a holiday present.
Despite being standalone, The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special marks Maria Bakalova's debut as the voice of telekinetic Soviet space program dog Cosmo, a role she'll reprise in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 in 2023. Vol. 3 will mark Gunn's last Marvel film. In addition to his new position at DC Studios, he's reportedly in talks with DC to work on multiple cinematic projects.
Source: Twitter