I’m Officially Worried About This Troubling DCU Trend

by

A concerning pattern is emerging for James Gunn’s DC Universe. While the franchise began strongly in 2025 with successful releases like Creature Commandos, Superman, and Peacemaker Season 2, and upcoming projects like Supergirl and Clayface offer exciting potential, there’s a worry that this early momentum might not last. The hope is that these new projects will help the DCU stand alongside Marvel Studios as a major force in superhero entertainment.

Recent news about DC’s future plans might disappoint superhero fans. Two of the three movies scheduled for 2026 have something in common that could turn off many viewers and potentially alienate those who would normally support the franchise. With the DC Universe just beginning, there’s a growing concern that James Gunn’s vision might be hindering its own success with these upcoming releases.

The DCU Is Aiming for Mature Audiences

DC’s upcoming movies and shows seem to be aimed at adults, with two of the three projects planned for 2026 – Lanterns and Clayface – receiving a strong R-rating. Only Supergirl, scheduled for this year, won’t be rated R, although it will still explore mature topics. This is a big shift from most other superhero films and series, which are usually rated PG-13. While some viewers might appreciate this change, it could limit DC’s audience and potentially exclude many potential fans.

Nathan Fillion, who plays Guy Gardner, shared that the upcoming series Lanterns will have a mature, R-rated feel. He jokingly said it has more profanity than anything else he’s done in his career. Another new series, Clayface, premiering in September, will push the boundaries of its R-rating with disturbing and graphic imagery. The DC Universe has already established a trend of mature content, with two of its first three projects, Creature Commandos and Peacemaker, also receiving R-ratings. By the end of its second year, the DCU will have released six projects, and over half of them will be rated R.

It’s possible the recent choices are just chance. James Gunn was already developing some projects for the old DC Universe before the new DCU started, and Clayface was one that particularly interested him enough to keep for the new franchise. Interestingly, most of the entirely new DCU projects – those that weren’t already in the works before Gunn took charge – are rated PG-13.

Despite the positive reception to Superman, I’m concerned that a quick succession of R-rated DC projects could undo the goodwill James Gunn and DC Studios have built. While the initial response has been great and renewed excitement for the DCU, too many mature-themed releases in a short period could jeopardize that early success.

Is the DCU Making a Mistake With So Many R-rated Projects?

I’m concerned that James Gunn and DC Studios seem to be focusing too much on projects meant for mature audiences. While shows like Creature Commandos and Peacemaker are enjoyable, their R-rating automatically restricts who can watch them. Superhero fans often include children and families, who typically don’t watch R-rated content as much. This early focus on mature content could unintentionally exclude these viewers and brand DC as solely for adults, which probably isn’t the image Gunn is aiming for.

R-rated superhero movies have proven they can be big hits. The three Deadpool films were all very successful, with the most recent one earning over $1 billion. DC’s Joker also did extremely well, which led the studio to create more R-rated content. While there’s a dedicated audience for these mature superhero films, DC might be focusing too much on this smaller group of fans and should instead try to appeal to a broader audience.

A potential problem emerging in the DC Universe is the unnecessary use of R-ratings for some projects. For example, while a horror-focused Clayface film could justify a mature rating, other projects like Lanterns seem to be aiming for R simply to include stronger language and more graphic violence. This approach could exclude viewers who would otherwise enjoy the series if it were rated for a wider audience, even though it might appeal to adult fans of the genre.

Right now, we don’t know which future DCU projects might be rated R, but several already announced seem likely to be. For example, Paradise Lost is being developed as a mature, complex series similar to Game of Thrones, which could mean it will also receive a TV-MA rating. Swamp Thing and The Authority appear headed for R-ratings due to their dark themes and the content of the original stories they’re based on.

How DC Can Balance Its Mature and Family-Friendly Projects

The DC Universe needs to broaden its appeal beyond mature audiences to ensure its long-term success. Building a fanbase starts with attracting young viewers and letting them grow up with these characters. While appealing to adults is good, the DCU needs consistent hits and can’t depend on them alone, especially now as it’s getting started. James Gunn should create a mix of content, including family-friendly options alongside projects for mature audiences, to build a lasting future for the franchise.

To broaden DC’s appeal, filmmakers should avoid unnecessary R-ratings. The main heroes shouldn’t appear in content geared towards mature audiences. For instance, a movie featuring Superman shouldn’t be rated higher than PG-13. This applies to solo films for other key heroes like Aquaman, the Flash, and Cyborg as well. Even Batman movies, which often explore darker themes, can still succeed with a PG-13 rating, as previous films have demonstrated.

James Gunn doesn’t have to shy away from making shows with mature content. The success of Peacemaker and Creature Commandos shows there’s a real demand for it. These shows offer a different tone than much of the family-oriented content we’ve seen recently, and that can be refreshing. As long as he finds the right balance, Gunn can keep creating shows like these while still appealing to broader audiences with other projects.

If the DC Universe follows a similar path, it could end up being much darker and more adult than the Marvel Cinematic Universe. However, that doesn’t seem to be James Gunn’s goal, particularly with his approach to Superman. The MCU, for example, initially tried a very specific tone but eventually moved away from it, and ultimately struggled. A successful cinematic universe needs a variety of stories to appeal to different viewers. Gunn and his team need to avoid focusing too much on one particular audience early on, or they risk losing the interest of everyone else.

All DCU projects are currently streaming on HBO Max.

Supergirl, Lanterns, and Clayface will all be released in 2026.

Read More

2026-01-09 22:13