It’s official: Superman will lead the charge into the DCU’s new frontier as James Gunn rolled out the first wave of movies, shows, and cartoons. May the collecting frenzy begin.

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The all-new DCU kicks off in 2025. Between now and then, we’ll still see Shazam! Fury of the Gods, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, The Flash, and Blue Beetle. Once those films wrap up, we’ll have a year to wait before the new Superman is unveiled. From there, Gunn has plenty of interesting projects in the works for what’s now officially known as the DCU Chapter One: Gods and Monsters.

There’s so much to be excited about, and there will be so many key issues to grab. Besides the tentpole Superman: Legacy and The Brave and the Bold, which will star a new Batman along with introducing Damian Wayne, there will be a Swamp Thing horror movie, a Game of Thrones-style series set on Themyscira, a Peacemaker/Suicide Squad spinoff starring Amanda Waller, the long-awaited Green Lantern Corps. HBO Max series, and a starring role for Supergirl. 

Bored with Marvel Studios’ formulaic family comedies? DC Studios has you covered as Gunn confirmed that while Superman and Batman would be geared toward a more general, PG-13 audience, there will be mature, R-rated content as well

THE OLD GUARD

The final projects from the former DC management will be rolled out this year. However, these are not necessarily lame duck, standalone movies, although Blue Beetle may be a different story

During the announcement, Gunn confirmed that all four films will connect to Chapter One. Just how that will be done is a mystery, but we know that Barry Allen will spark the reboot.

Fury of the Gods, Gunn said, will lead directly into The Flash, which “will reset the entire DC Universe.” Will this amount to a New 52 style universal reset? After all, the early rumors pointed to The Flash being based around the Flashpoint comics, and Gunn hinted just enough for us to wonder if that could be the inspiration after all. 

As we gear up for the coming projects, the question still remains: will we see the major roles recast? 

The DC Studios co-chair explained that Lost Kingdom will follow The Flash, which raises questions about how a rebooted cinematic universe will be explained in the Aquaman sequel. Brace for theories on how that can lead to Jason Momoa being recast as Lobo. Viola Davis appears to be returning in the series, Waller, and he specifically mentioned she will team with members of Team Peacemaker, which would imply that the events of Gunn’s own The Suicide Squad will remain in the new timeline. Past that, there’s way more questions than answers, but that’s what makes it all so much fun. 

THE OPENING SLATE

What’s in the works for Chapter One? There’s plenty to pique your interest, that’s for sure.

MOVIES

Superman: Legacy
The Authority
The Brave and the Bold
The Batman: Part II
Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow
Swamp Thing

SERIES

Paradise Lost
Waller
Lanterns
Booster Gold

ANIMATED

Creature Commandos

BOOM

We’re still two years from the kickoff, but the DCU is sounding good so far. The best part is that this is only the first half of the DCU Chapter One. The Gods and Monsters title is giving distinct Darkseid vibes, but nothing has been mentioned about the single baddest villain in all of DC Comics. 

What else does Gunn have in store? No doubt, Lobo and Mister Terrific are at the top of the list considering the social media teases in recent months. For now, we can look forward to seeing what he has in mind for Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman. Personally, I’m just waiting for that Swamp Thing horror movie.

What do you think of this lineup? Let us know in the comments!

*Any perceived investment advice is that of the freelance blogger and does not represent advice on behalf of GoCollect.