James Gunn planning at least two ‘Superman’ TV spinoffs

DCU expands with surprising new series plans

James Gunn isn’t slowing down after Superman hit theaters; he’s just getting started. With fans still buzzing about the film, Gunn is already laying the groundwork for not one, but two exciting TV spinoffs tied to the new DC Universe.

These upcoming projects promise to dig deeper into characters you didn’t expect and explore fresh corners of the DCU. Curious who’s getting their own series and why now? Let’s break it down.

The DCU reboot begins

The new DC Universe officially launched under James Gunn and Peter Safran with the highly anticipated Superman film in July 2025. After years of on‑again/off‑again DC adaptations, this reboot serves as the opening of Chapter One: Gods and Monsters, reshaping how DC content will be released across film and TV.

Gunn’s fresh script is directed to emphasize character and hope. With strong box office numbers and critical acclaim, the foundation is laid for a connected series of projects branching from this core story

Box office triumph fuels TV plans

Superman has soared at the box office, earning $125 million domestically and $95 million internationally so far. This strong financial footing shows Warner Bros. that audiences are open to refreshed takes and creates momentum for expanding the world through television.

James Gunn and Peter Safran clearly signaled that success would open doors for further exploration, making spinoffs both financially and narratively viable. As a result, Warner Bros. is green‑lighting connected stories, benefiting from the main film’s popularity.

Gunn’s shared vision for TV

James Gunn has publicly embraced an interconnected world where key film characters transition into their own shows. He noted that DCU is “spinoff‑friendly,” meaning a character who strikes a chord could lead us into their own story arc on TV.

This format mirrors the success seen in Peacemaker and other recent DC shows, where standalone spinoffs contributed to overall narrative richness. This broad vision reflects Gunn’s focus on quality character work within a coherent universe.

Mister Terrific in spotlight

One character Gunn is considering for his own series is Mister Terrific, played by Edi Gathegi, who impressed audiences with his intelligence and tech wizardry. In the film, he’s portrayed as a genius who manipulates T-Spheres, a powerful and visually striking superhero tool that hints at layers of storytelling potential.

A standalone show could explore his backstory, moral dilemmas balancing science and heroics, and his personal stakes outside the Justice Gang. Fans are enthusiastic, noting his scene-stealing performance and cinematic promise.

Jimmy Olsen gets a shot

Another TV spinoff Gunn is eyeing centers around Jimmy Olsen, Superman’s young Daily Planet photographer and reporter, played by Skyler Gisondo. Olsen offers a unique human perspective within the superpowered world, blending comic relief with journalistic curiosity and risk‑taking.

His story could explore the Planet’s newsroom environment, investigative reporting, and his relationship with Lois Lane, offering a grounded side to the DCU. Audience response shows genuine excitement for a character who is funny, adventurous, and made the film suggest more to tell.

Daily Planet as a TV setting

A Jimmy Olsen series could expand into a newsroom-based show set at the Daily Planet, introducing fun and tension in reporting big stories. Characters like Perry White, Eve Tessmacher, and staff reporters could provide humor, conflict, and social commentary on truth in media.

This format allows exploration of themes like corruption, public influence, and ethics through a DC lens, all while keeping a comedic tone. Such a show would balance drama and laughs, using Olsen as a relatable anchor in a newsroom of superheroes.

Strategy behind two spinoffs

Choosing two high-potential characters shows strategic planning from Gunn and the studio to diversify storytelling within the DCU. With Mister Terrific offering science‑driven heroism and Jimmy Olsen providing relatable journalism, the shows would balance spectacle with character depth.

Gunn himself emphasized developing two live‑action series per year under the “Gods and Monsters” slate, signaling strong ambitions. This approach aligns with their five‑to‑seven‑year roadmap of interconnected TV and film projects,

Timing and production outlook

Reports suggest that these spinoff concepts are already being explored mere days after Superman premiered, showing eagerness for fast‑tracking production. Considering studio investment schedules, the TV series could launch in late 2026 or beyond after Supergirl and Lanterns roll out.

Gunn’s detailed plan calls for two live‑action series annually, and these spinoffs fit neatly into that timetable. While scripts still need to be finalized, interest and planning have officially begun.

Supergirl + Lanterns + Spinoffs

As part of Chapter One, viewers can look forward to the upcoming Supergirl film in June 2026 and the Lanterns HBO series in early 2026. The dual spinoffs for Mann of Steel characters would join these projects, reinforcing a multimedia wave of DCU content.

Each project will keep momentum flowing across both big and small screens, offering fans layered stories and frequent engagement. It makes for a bold and unified universe rollout over the next few years.

Mister Terrific’s expanded story

A Mister Terrific series could dive into Michael Holt’s origin, exploring his 14 PhDs, his personal journey, and why he became a metahuman. The show might dramatize his use of tech, ethical challenges around surveillance and power, and his membership in the Justice Gang.

This deeper exploration would humanize a genius and highlight complex themes like intellect vs. moral doubt. Fans anticipate a rich story that grounds a brilliant mind in everyday dilemmas while using high-stakes superhero conflict.

Jimmy Olsen’s journalist arc

Jimmy’s series could focus on investigative journalism as he chases big stories tied to Superman’s world, like Lex Luthor’s schemes or metahuman cover-ups. Viewers would learn more about Eve Tessmacher and other colleagues, creating character cross‑pollination within the DCU.

The show could weave humor, danger, and ethical journalism into an entertaining weekly format. It would showcase the news side of heroism and build a narrative that stands apart from capes and flying.

Maintaining quality over quantity

Gunn has stressed that each project needs to earn its place, with scripts up to his standards, before greenlighting production. He explicitly refuses to mandate a fixed number of yearly releases, instead focusing on creative readiness.

This policy gives both spinoffs good standing only if they maintain quality storytelling. Gunn’s hands-on approach suggests both shows would be carefully crafted, avoiding the pitfalls of rushed expansions.

Audience reaction sparks momentum

Early screenings revealed strong audience affection for Mister Terrific and laughter at Olsen’s scenes, signaling viewer readiness for their own arcs. A GamesRadar+ preview noted that audience cheers greeted Terrific and Olsen’s humor “loudly,” demonstrating engagement and demand.

Such fan enthusiasm provides a strong creative and commercial case for spinoffs. Warner Bros. sees this feedback as proof that the characters can carry their own shows.

You might also be interested in Henry Cavill’s shocking Superman exit explained.

Avoiding MCU missteps

Gunn has observed mistakes in the MCU’s handling of character overlap between films and TV and aims not to repeat them. He noted that Marvel content often hit “rail” points when intersections between series and films became too forced.

In other news, “Superman” was called a mess at times, but still a crowd‑pleasing cleansing for DC.

What did you think of Superman’s big return? Drop your comments below, and let’s talk DC!

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• Superman 2025 Trailer Excites DC Fans

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This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.