James Gunn cautiously reveals that 2 beleaguered DC comic book shows are still ‘in development’ — but the DCU’s biggest movie gamble has been shelved

• James Gunn has shared an update on three DCU Chapter One projects
• One movie announced in January 2023 is no longer in active development
• Two long-dormant shows are still being worked on

DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn has provided fans with an update on three beleaguered DC Universe (DCU) projects — and it’s bad news for one of them. Responding to a fan on Threads, Gunn confirmed that The Authority, a movie that was part of Gunn’s initial DCU Chapter One line-up announcement in January 2023, has been canceled.

As part of a longer response to someone who theorized that Gunn was planning to write and/or direct the film, he said: “The script wasn’t quite there, but more importantly it didn’t work in terms of the larger DCU, both in terms of the story and practical concerns. Maybe [we’ll revisit it] some day [but] Not soon.”

Unveiled alongside new solo adventures for DC icons Superman and Batman as part of Gunn and co-chief Peter Safran’s new-look cinematic franchise, The Authority was set to be influenced the eponymous anti-hero team’s comic book series that was published under DC’s Wildstorm sister company.

Article continues below

With the DCU Chapter One slate undergoing some changes since its early 2023 reveal, though, The Authority’s movie adaptation has become the first major casualty of Gunn and Safran’s reign.

As for two other productions — Booster Gold and Paradise Lost — that have been trapped in development limbo for over three years, Gunn shared a more positive, albeit short, update.