DC Studios Excludes Major James Gunn Title From 2026 Movie & TV Slate

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Since becoming head of DC Studios, James Gunn has been the main creative force behind the initial set of DCU projects in the ‘Gods and Monsters’ phase. He’s been the lead writer for everything from the animated series Creature Commandos (coming late 2024) to the new Superman movie and the return of Peacemaker in 2025, giving the entire franchise a consistent creative vision. However, looking ahead to 2026, things are changing: for the first time, none of the planned DCU projects will be written by Gunn himself.

Since 2021’s The Suicide Squad, James Gunn has been consistently writing, continuing with the first season of Peacemaker in 2022. He even laid the groundwork for the new DC Universe with scripts for Creature Commandos and Superman. Although Gunn will write Man of Tomorrow in 2027, the year 2026 will feature projects developed by a different team of writers.

James Gunn is still very involved in all DC Universe projects happening in 2026, making sure everything stays consistent with the overall story and feel. However, he’s also giving other directors and writers more freedom to help shape what the DCU will become.

2026 DCU Projects Without James Gunn as Writer or Director 

Supergirl

DC Studios’ big movie for 2026 will be Supergirl, landing in theaters on June 26th. The film is based on a famous comic book storyline and focuses on Kara Zor-El, giving her a chance to step out of Superman’s shadow. It’s a darker, more epic tale of revenge, and will showcase her four incredible abilities. Craig Gillespie, the director behind films like I, Tonya and Cruella, is at the helm, promising a visually striking movie that feels different from other Superman stories.

Ana Nogueira, an actress and playwright, wrote the screenplay. Her connection to the story is noteworthy because she initially began working on a Supergirl movie for Warner Bros. under a previous leadership team.

When Gunn and Peter Safran became the heads of DC Films, they were incredibly impressed with the unique perspective and deep understanding of Kara’s emotional pain that writer Janne Nogueira brought to the project. Because of this, they abandoned previous drafts and asked her to write the final version of the story. Her script is a powerful, large-scale science fiction adventure that focuses on the loneliness of a character who witnessed the destruction of her home world while her cousin found refuge on Earth.

Lanterns

Scheduled to debut in the summer of 2026, Lanterns will be the first live-action HBO series within the DC Universe. However, it won’t be a typical space adventure. Instead, it’s a mystery series set on Earth, taking a superhero approach similar to True Detective. The story follows a seasoned Hal Jordan and a rising John Stewart as they uncover a long-hidden, sinister secret in the American Midwest, a mystery that James Gunn has hinted is crucial to the overall DCU storyline.

The series boasts an impressive creative team. It’s spearheaded by Chris Mundy, known for the gripping, crime-focused atmosphere of Ozark. He’s joined by Damon Lindelof, the creator of Watchmen and The Leftovers, who is highly regarded as one of today’s best mystery television writers.

Joining the project is acclaimed comic book writer Tom King. This talented team signals a new direction for the DC Universe, hinting at more mature and complex stories. Starring Kyle Chandler and Aaron Pierre, the series will be a realistic crime drama that also incorporates the incredible power of the Green Lantern rings.

Clayface

Rounding out the major releases planned for 2026 is Clayface, scheduled to hit theaters on September 11th. This won’t be the campy villain fans may remember; instead, the film is a tragic, psychological horror story focusing on the downfall of actor Matt Hagen. A desperate need for fame and a terrible accident cause his horrifying transformation. The film is directed by James Watkins, known for his intense thrillers Speak No Evil and Eden Lake, and promises a darker, more disturbing tone for the DCU.

The screenplay for the Clayface movie was written together by Mike Flanagan and Hossein Amini. Flanagan is a popular horror creator known for shows like The Haunting of Hill House and Midnight Mass, so his work on this film suggests it will be both scary and emotionally resonant. He often focuses on the human side of monsters, leading many to believe Matt Hagen’s story will be deeply moving as well as frightening.

The author of the stylish neo-noir film Drive is also contributing a cool, carefully constructed feel to this project. Together, they’re creating a self-contained horror story that exists within a larger fictional world, but still feels uniquely frightening.

James Gunn Sitting Out the DCU’s 2026 Slate Is for the Best

Although some fans might be worried about James Gunn not being credited as a writer on the 2026 DCU film, it’s actually a good thing. The biggest danger for any shared movie universe is when one creative voice controls everything, making the stories feel limited and predictable. Having different writers helps keep the DCU fresh and expansive.

As a critic, I’m seeing a really smart move from Gunn here. He’s wisely stepping back from writing duties, and honestly, it’s a relief. We’ve seen too many big franchise creators burn out trying to control every detail, and Gunn seems determined to avoid that trap. This lets him focus on the bigger picture – making sure the entire DC universe at Warner Bros. Discovery is thriving, not just getting bogged down in the specifics of each script. It’s a sign of a leader who understands the importance of delegation and long-term vision.

This decision also addresses concerns that the DCU would become overly focused on James Gunn’s personal preferences – filled with lesser-known characters, actors from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and a specific music style. By collaborating with talented directors like Craig Gillespie, Mike Flanagan, and Damon Lindelof, DC Studios is proving its universe can explore a wide range of stories, from grand space adventures to terrifying horror and realistic crime thrillers.

What I really appreciate about James Gunn’s involvement is how he’s guiding everything as a producer, keeping a consistent feel throughout. But by letting other directors take the lead on writing, he’s allowing their unique visions to shine. It feels like he’s building a truly collaborative universe, one where different voices can contribute, instead of everything feeling like it comes from a single person’s perspective. It just feels so much more alive and dynamic that way!

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2026-01-25 14:06