James Gunn’s DCU Will Officially Expand Into 3 New Genres In 2026

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As a fan, I’m so excited to see how DC Studios is building out the new DCU! It really started gaining momentum at the end of 2024 with Creature Commandos, and then we got Superman and the second season of Peacemaker. While those were all pretty classic superhero stories, I’m even more thrilled that upcoming projects are going to explore different genres – it feels like they’re really pushing the boundaries of what a superhero universe can be. It’s going to be a really diverse lineup starting in 2026!

So far, the new DC Universe has tried out a few different types of stories, and Creature Commandos stands out the most. It’s a superhero series for adults, done with animation. Superman then aimed for a wider audience, delivering a classic superhero action movie feel, but with a bit more fun than previous DC films. And Peacemaker really embraced its mature rating, offering a very violent and funny superhero show.

The DCU Will Release 3 New Genre Films & Shows In 2026

Buddy Cop

The upcoming HBO Max series Lanterns, part of the new DCU, will be quite different from the 2011 Green Lantern movie. According to showrunner Chris Mundy, who spoke with Men’s Health, Lanterns will be just as much a detective/partner show as it is a superhero story.

A partnership like this is new to the DC Universe, and it feels like a great fit for a series following the Green Lantern Corps, the galaxy-spanning team of space protectors.

As a huge DC fan, I’m really excited about the new Lanterns series! It centers around John Stewart, played by Aaron Pierre, and Kyle Chandler as Hal Jordan. Apparently, we might even see Guy Gardner, the Green Lantern from the Superman movies, pop up! What’s particularly interesting is that the show isn’t just about cosmic battles; it’s a crime mystery set in Nebraska, focusing on this unexpected pairing as they investigate a murder. It sounds like a really fresh take on these iconic characters.

Space Adventure

I’m really excited for the next DCU movie after Superman – it’s Supergirl! It’s going to tell the story of Kara Danvers, Superman’s cousin, and I can’t wait to see Milly Alcock play her.

Although Superman and Supergirl’s movie will share some characters and story elements, James Gunn has described it as a “space adventure” – a style very similar to his Guardians of the Galaxy films. While Gunn is well-known for this type of movie, having directed the Guardians trilogy for Marvel, it represents a new direction for his DC Universe so far.

It’s great that Supergirl is being framed as a space adventure for the DCU. This will be the first time the universe expands beyond Earth, and it allows for the introduction of compelling new characters – like Jason Momoa’s Lobo, a bounty hunter from space.

Supergirl will release on June 26, 2026.

Body Horror

In 2026, the DCU will introduce body horror with the film Clayface. Tom Rhys Harries stars as Matt Hagen, an actor who becomes the notorious shapeshifting villain and frequent Batman foe.

The upcoming DCU film featuring Clayface is expected to be the first to delve into body horror and receive an R-rating. This indicates the movie won’t shy away from the more intense and gruesome aspects of the character’s abilities and the genre itself, particularly focusing on his transformations.

Most DCU movies are made to be enjoyed by families and viewers of all ages, but the upcoming Clayface film will be different. It’s venturing into a new and darker type of story for the DCU.

Clayface will be released on September 11, 2026.

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2025-12-10 09:05