All 6 DCU Projects Set Up By Superman

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Attention: The following discussion may contain spoilers for the 2025 film ‘Superman’. This weekend, the DC Universe burst onto the big screen at breakneck speed, and it’s already shaping up to be a major franchise. ‘Superman’ is the first movie in the new DCU timeline, skillfully planting numerous seeds without appearing overly expository. The film introduced characters, settings, and relationships, while leaving some plot threads unresolved, but not in a way that felt unsatisfying or incomplete. It’s particularly impressive given the pressure on the DCU to close the gap with the Marvel Cinematic Universe without feeling rushed or artificial.

In “Superman,” despite having an abundance of superheroes that initially made some fans apprehensive, the narrative doesn’t feel congested. Instead, James Gunn, the writer, director, and co-executive at the studio, cleverly condensed three centuries of DCU history into brief title cards at the film’s start. This approach enhances audience immersion and allows for a more believable experience, while also bypassing the repetitive origin stories we’re accustomed to seeing.

Previously established history facilitated seamless development of future DC Universe narratives in a manner that feels genuine and unforced. Meanwhile, Superman is currently gracing the big screen, while Peacemaker Season 2, the next offering from the DC Universe, is set to debut on August 21st exclusively on HBO Max. Here’s a sneak peek at other upcoming projects hinted by this movie.

Supergirl

The DCU won’t return to cinemas until June 26, 2026, when Supergirl premieres. It comes as no shock that Superman sets the stage for the next film in the series, and despite its seemingly odd placement, it doesn’t feel overly forced – likely due to its humor and brevity.

In the movie, it seems unusual that Superman shows a lack of affection towards Krypto, his Kryptonian canine companion, considering his usual heroic demeanor. It’s later revealed that Superman isn’t actually Krypto’s owner but is only caring for him temporarily. The unexpected climax sees Supergirl (played by Milly Alcock) stumbling into the Fortress of Solitude, frantic about her pet. This situation gives Superman an opportunity to explain that Supergirl likes to party a lot, and since the powers she gets from Earth’s yellow sun also make her immune to alcohol and other intoxicants, she needs to travel to different solar systems for her social life.

In this movie, instead of being defined by Superman’s descriptions, Supergirl’s character unfolds through Krypto’s actions. It wouldn’t be logical for Clark to allow Krypto to run wild without training, but as we delve into Kara’s mental state, everything falls into place. Simultaneously, the dog’s antics keep Supergirl’s impulsiveness endearing and charming.

Based on what’s been shared about Supergirl thus far, the upcoming movie follows her embarking on a space voyage with Krypto to mark her 21st birthday. During this journey, she encounters Ruthye Marye Knoll (Eve Ridley) and becomes involved in a deadly quest for vengeance with her. Additionally, Jason Momoa is set to make an appearance as Lobo, a ruthless alien bounty hunter. The setup for this adventure was nicely established in the closing moments of Superman, and many eager fans are hoping it arrives sooner.

Lanterns

Coming soon on your smaller screens, the DCU introduces “Lanterns,” a live-action series centered around the Green Lantern Corps. In this series, we get brief but brilliant insights into Guy Gardner (played by Nathan Fillion), who showcases his ring’s abilities and delivers witty lines that highlight its effect on his self-importance. Although Gardner is part of the main cast in “Lanterns,” he appears to take a secondary role. Instead, the series will primarily follow two human Green Lanterns: Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler) and John Stewart (Aaron Pierre).

As per our previous discussion, the series “Lanterns” will commence with Jordan and Stewart looking into a murder case in Nebraska, a case that proves to be more complex than they initially thought. Jordan is nearing retirement from the Green Lantern Corps, and Stewart is a fresh recruit who is expected to take over from him. It remains uncertain where Gardner factors into this relationship. Fans anticipate that the show will delve deeply off-world and present higher stakes beyond a single murder in the Midwest, as Green Lanterns are tasked with safeguarding an expansive sector of their galaxy. With so much still unknown about the plot, it’s challenging to predict what lies ahead.

Another character, Kendra Saunders (played by Isabela Merced, also known as Hawkgirl in Superman), might have played a role in setting up the Lanterns indirectly. Since she was part of the Justice Gang along with Gardner, she is aware of his powers. In Justice League and Justice League Unlimited, there was a significant romance between Hawkgirl and John Stewart. Merced has expressed her desire for this relationship to continue in the DCU versions of these characters, implying there could be possibilities of her appearing in Lanterns or interacting with Stewart in future scenarios.

The Authority

The project known as “The Authority” was among the initial ones announced by DCU, but unfortunately, its progress has been sluggish, with neither a release date nor production schedule in sight as of now. As recently as February, Gunn stated that the script for “The Authority” has undergone numerous revisions and is not yet finalized. Gunn stipulates that no work on any DCU projects can commence until the scripts are fully completed.

In summary, Superman lays the groundwork for The Authority quite effectively through the character of Angela Spica, also known as “The Engineer,” portrayed by María Gabriela de Faría. Her presence in the film initiates the development of The Authority, and now that it’s been released, we can observe how Angela was depicted and conjecture about the potential team-up stories she might be involved in.

In the film ‘Superman’, Angela is portrayed as aggressive and merciless, yet she’s not entirely without empathy. She serves as a tool for Lex Luthor (played by Nicholas Hoult), who seems to have financed and possibly developed the nanotechnology that grants Angela her shape-shifting abilities. Similar to Lex, Angela has been working towards Superman’s downfall. However, she is prepared to lose much more than just herself for this mission – even her own life might be at stake. While Angela’s hostility and suspicion towards Superman may not be praiseworthy, they seem less unreasonable compared to Luthor’s feelings. His motivations, unlike hers, appear to be driven by inflated self-importance rather than genuine reasons.

This storyline, titled “The Authority“, revolves around a group of extraordinary individuals determined to transform the world positively, even if they resort to extreme measures such as taking lives or causing sabotage and deception. While they share similarities with superhero teams like those in The Boys, Watchmen, and Invincible, what sets them apart is their portrayal within the DC Universe. Unfortunately, we don’t have any information on when it might be released.

Peacemaker Season 2

In the upcoming Season 2 of “Peacemaker,” the DC Universe’s next confirmed series, director James Gunn subtly hinted at its connection with Superman. On a Metropolis talk show, John Cena’s character, Christopher Smith, shared his opinion on Superman and other superheroes, suggesting they were envious due to not being as muscular as him. Although this doesn’t reveal much about the upcoming plot, it serves as a reminder that “Peacemaker” is set in the same universe as “Superman,” and its return is imminent.

In the world of DC Universe, Peacemaker occupies a unique position since Season 1 isn’t entirely recognized as part of the main storyline. However, Season 2 acts as a “soft reboot,” deciding which aspects will continue and which will be dropped from the broader narrative. Being a spin-off of The Suicide Squad (2021), the consequences could be far-reaching. The second season of Peacemaker is set to debut on HBO Max starting August 21st.

Waller and Creature Commandos Season 2

As a die-hard film enthusiast, I can’t help but notice the intricate connections among the upcoming series like “Peacemaker,” “Creature Commandos,” and the live-action spinoff “Waller.” Superman’s recent teaser has done wonders in setting up this expansive universe. Apart from Smith’s small-screen debut, the most significant crossover here is the return of Rick Flag Sr., played by Frank Grillo. You might remember him from “Creature Commandos,” but he’ll also make an appearance in “Peacemaker.”

Now, with his character taking over as head of A.R.G.U.S., following Waller’s departure, it’s clear that Flag and Waller will have a tense reunion whenever their paths cross again. The tension between these two powerful figures promises to add an exciting layer to the interwoven narratives of these shows.

It’s important to mention that in the finale of Superman, Lex Luthor is taken to Belle Reve Prison – a place where A.R.G.U.S. keeps its hazardous metahuman prisoners and creates teams such as Task Force M. Putting Luthor there might not be their wisest decision, and it could lead to complications in the future. At present, Houlton has not been included in any of these TV shows’ casts, but keeping his introduction a secret for a shocking reveal could make it even more impactful.

Justice League

In summary, Gunn has hinted at a future ambition to bring together a Justice League in the DCU, possibly mirroring the approach taken by the MCU leading up to its first Avengers team-up. Despite the Justice League movie being scarcely discussed and not appearing to be an immediate focus for the DCU, it’s evident that the current Superman film sets the stage for this eventuality. This movie presents us with the Justice Squad, a group of heroes sponsored by Maxwell Lord (Sean Gunn) and reaping the benefits of corporate backing, including affluence and popularity.

In the film, the Justice Gang stands out against Superman in several ways. They are less concerned about minimizing unintended harm, compared to his careful approach. Moreover, they’re more open to participating in publicity events and stunts than he is. Their headquarters, which is usually associated with the Justice League in DC Comics, is located in the Hall of Justice. It appears that when the Justice League functions as it should, this contrast will persist, making them notable for their honesty in a world where cynical superheroes are commonplace.

In the ongoing series of Superman, there are intricate references to DC Universe history that could potentially resurface in future DCU stories. These nuanced details can be spotted now as Superman is currently showing in cinemas worldwide. Upcoming in the DCU is Season 2 of Peacemaker on HBO Max, set to premiere on August 21st, and the movie Supergirl, slated for release in theaters on June 26, 2026.

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2025-07-13 19:41