An all-new take on Batman’s extended family. A fresh story about Superman’s legacy. The introduction to Superman’s cousin Kara Zor-El. A spin-off exploring the events that occurred in the birthplace of Wonder Woman. DC Studios’ co-CEO James Gunn on Tuesday announced a series of upcoming projects as part of Chapter 1 of the new DC Universe, titled ‘Gods and Monsters’.

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In a video shared by DC Studios, Gunn, who directed three Guardians of the Galaxy movies for Marvel, talked about his vision for the DC Universe. “Storytelling is always king, that’s all that matters to us and I want to be true to those stories and I want to be true to you guys,” he said.

The filmmaker also categorically said that films like Matt Reeves’ The Batman and Todd Phillips’ Joker will not be part of the DC Universe. These films will fall in the category of standalone DC projects.

Gunn announced that five films and five series will kick-start Chapter 1 of the new DC Universe. New stories about Batman and his assassin son, a new Superman tale and Swamp Thing are set to hit the big screen as part of an ambitious 10-year plan, he added.

A new animated series titled Creature Commandos will revolve around a group of monstrous prisoners tasked with Suicide Squad-style missions. All the episodes of the series are written by Gunn. The filmmaker also said that the actors from DC movies will voice-star in animated films under the DC Universe.

Viola Davis will reprise her role as Amanda Waller in Waller, a new series where Waller will team up with members of team Peacemakers. The series is penned by Watchmen’s Christal Henry and Supernatural’s Jeremy Carver.

However, the ‘true’ beginning of the new DC Universe will come with Superman Legacy, a new film set to hit theatres on July 11, 2025. Gunn is currently writing this film which will introduce a new Superman.

Following Superman Legacy, the DC Universe will introduce its new version of Bruce Wayne as Batman (portrayed by someone other than Robert Pattinson), and his son Damian Wayne operating as Robin in a film titled The Brave and the Bold. According to Gunn, this film will serve as the beginning of the Bat family in DCU.

Superman’s cousin Kara Zor-El will be introduced in her solo film titled Supergirl: The Woman of Tomorrow. Kara Zor-EI, according to Gunn, was brought up in Krypton and is a darker character than Superman.

Gunn also announced that Swamp Thing will return as a new horror feature that delves into its eponymous antihero’s origins. Gunn explained, “Although it is outside of the rest of the DCU, it will still feed into the rest of the stories.”

The DC Universe will also bring much more heroic characters into the fold with series like Booster Gold, a story about a loser from the future masquerading as a superhuman. Another series, Paradise Lost, is a Game of Thrones-like Wonder Woman prequel set on Themyscira — the birthplace of Wonder Woman.

Hal Jordan and John Stewart will be busy taking care of their own business in the DC Universe’s Lanterns. Gunn described the show as a “terrestrial-based TV show which is almost like True Detective.”

DC’s upcoming film The Authority is the “passion project” of the new DC co-CEO. It is based on the marvelous windstorm characters. Gunn said, “The Authority are a group of superheroes who think that the world is broken and they want to fix it by any means necessary.”

Shazam 2, The Flash, Blue Beetle, and Aquaman 2 are the upcoming four films of the DC Universe.