James Gunn’s Forgotten Suicide Squad Spinoff Show Finally Gets New DCU Update From HBO Boss After 7 Months

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A potential spinoff series from James Gunn’s The Suicide Squad is moving forward with positive news for the new DC Universe.

HBO’s Casey Bloys recently spoke with Variety about the planned TV series focusing on Amanda Waller, played by Viola Davis. Waller is a character continuing from the previous DC Universe into James Gunn’s new DCU. When asked about when the series might be made, Bloys indicated it wasn’t happening immediately, saying, “Let’s just say it’s not in active development right now.” He did mention that the series Lanterns will premiere this summer.

Although we haven’t heard any updates recently, the Waller TV series is still in the works and hasn’t been cancelled. HBO executive Bloys was questioned about whether DC shows on HBO are intentionally developed at a slower pace compared to Marvel series on Disney+. He confirmed this is a deliberate strategy, explaining that it’s important for a major franchise like the DC Universe to have well-produced shows on HBO and/or HBO Max.

Casey Bloys explains his approach to greenlighting shows is entirely based on the quality of each individual script. He believes the most important question is simply: is it a good, interesting, and viable show? Bloys actively avoids setting fixed annual production quotas, as he feels that doing so can force creative compromises. Instead, he prefers to evaluate each project on its own merits, focusing on what’s presented rather than being constrained by pre-determined numbers or needing to fill a specific slot.

Why Has Waller Been Taking So Long To Happen?

As a huge DC fan, I’ve been following the changes at DC Studios closely. James Gunn and Peter Safran have been really upfront about not wanting to rush anything with their new DCU – they want to get it right. It’s interesting to me that the Waller series, even though it was announced way back in January 2023, has stayed a key project for them. It shows they’re still committed to it, even with everything else going on.

James Gunn announced in August 2025 that the Waller series is facing delays, but he’s still committed to making Amanda Waller’s solo project happen. He explained that development has been uneven, saying, “Some things have progressed quickly, and others haven’t, and this is one of the things that’s been slower. But I’m excited to see Viola Davis in her Waller costume, with her signature floral dresses, and create something amazing.”

Despite a slower pace of development for the Waller series, the creative team is strong, featuring Christal Henry, a writer from the Watchmen TV show, and Jeremy Carver, the creator of Doom Patrol. This suggests the final product will be worth the wait. Plus, with Davis as an executive producer and a well-known talent, HBO and DC Studios are unlikely to cancel a potentially high-quality DC series.

Because Amanda Waller has such a long and complex backstory in the DC universe, the creators are exploring many possibilities for her character in the upcoming Waller series. This exploration is likely a big reason why the project is taking time. Following the public reveal of her covert operations with the Suicide Squad, her appearance in Creature Commandos showed she’s now being much more cautious, and that will definitely influence her portrayal in Waller.

Will Amanda Waller Be In Any DCU Projects In 2026?

As of today, there’s no official word on whether Amanda Waller, as played by Viola Davis, will appear in any of the DC Universe’s planned movies or shows in 2026. While DC Studios has Supergirl coming out in June and Clayface in October, her character doesn’t seem to have a role in either. The HBO series Lanterns, launching in August, won’t feature her either, unless Davis secretly filmed a surprise appearance.

Whether the Waller project happens in 2026 or 2027 depends on how development progresses at DC Studios.

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2026-03-28 23:08