James Gunn has stated that his DC Universe, much like the Marvel Cinematic Universe, will be a cohesive and interconnected world, with a unified narrative unfolding across films, television shows, and even video games. The first phase of this new universe is titled Chapter One: Gods and Monsters—a name that not only sets the thematic tone for the slate but is also referenced in the opening credits of the upcoming Superman film.
While James Gunn has offered some insight into what’s coming next in his DC film universe — including Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, a horror-inspired Clayface, The Authority, and possibly even Blue Beetle—he’s been less specific about how long the overarching narrative will span.
However, in a recent appearance on the 2 Bears, 1 Cave podcast, Gunn revealed that the timeline for the DCU has evolved since he first took the reins, and he now expects the full storyline to unfold over the course of nearly a decade.
“We had a basic plan, but then I hired a group of writers who I really respected, who came in, and we kind of worked out the whole story,” Gunn explained. “Now, some things have changed since then, for various reasons. But the basic thrust of the big story is the same.”
Gunn continued, “That is what started in Superman, continues in Peacemaker, goes to the next Superman movie, and then will continue from the movie after that, and then after that. So there’s the bigger plan that we came up with… It’s like a decade, maybe a little less. It’s very loose, too. You have to be careful, because there were certain projects that were a part of that plan – because my other rule is, I’m not gonna greenlight anything without having a screenplay that I love. And there were other things that haven’t worked yet. You’ve gotta be able to have the big picture in mind, but then also be willing and be able to shift anytime you need to. So the pinpoints are the same, but some of the specifics have changed.”
Peacemaker Season 2 is currently streaming on HBO Max, while Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow is slated to hit theaters in June 2026. The Lanterns TV series—featuring Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler) and John Stewart (Aaron Pierre)—is expected to debut on HBO Max in early 2026. Meanwhile, James Gunn recently confirmed that he’s working on the script for the Superman sequel, Superman: Man of Tomorrow, which will see Superman and Lex Luthor—reluctantly, no doubt—team up to confront an even greater threat.
Do you think James Gunn’s plan for the DCU, including a decade-long storyline is promising? Let us know in the comments.
