DC Comics’ Supergirl from writer Tom King’s ‘Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow.’ Photo courtesy of DC.com.
Preview:
‘Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow’ will now simply be known as ‘Supergirl’.
DC Studios boss James Gunn confirmed the title change.
Milly Alcock is starring in the movie.
As with DC Studios boss James Gunn and his upcoming ‘Superman’, follow-up film ‘Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow’ is undergoing a name change.
Gunn changed ‘Superman’ to simply the character’s name, and ‘Supergirl’ is likewise losing the subtitle
The movie, which adapts Tom King’s comic, has Milly Alcock playing Kara Zor-El (cousin of Superman) and Craig Gillespie in the director’s chair. It has wrapped shooting in the UK for a 2026 release.
“I’m always cutting. “Legacy” was really — we do something called a premortem. A premortem is you get together with your group that’s doing the project. It’s usually about a couple months before shooting, and you go, hypothetically, ‘If it’s an epic disaster, what are the things that we’re doing today that are going to cause it to be an epic disaster? Everyone here can speak freely.’ One of the things I brought up was, it was called ‘Superman: Legacy’. Even though I was the one that gave it that title, I just wasn’t sure. First of all, I’m sick of the superhero title, colon, other-name thing. And then also it seemed to be looking back when we’re looking forward, even though it does have to do with legacy in the movie itself. And everybody was like, ‘Oh, yeah, no, change it.’
DC Comics’ Supergirl from writer Tom King’s ‘Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow.’ Photo courtesy of DC.com.
While the exact storyline for ‘Supergirl’ has yet to be confirmed, we do know it’ll be a big-scale sci-fi film based on King and Bilquis Evely’s comic run. It features a “darker, harsher” version of Kara raised on a surviving chunk of Krypton who sees everyone around her die. And it’ll see her helping a young alien who is seeking vengeance for the death of her own family.
This is what Gunn said at the time of his big DC Studios announcement:
“This is a very different type of Supergirl. In our film, we see the difference between Superman, who was sent to Earth and raised by loving parents from, you know, the time he’s an infant, versus Supergirl, who was raised on a rock chip-off of Krypton and watched everyone around her die and be killed in terrible ways for the first 14 years of her life, and then came to Earth when she was a young girl and is much more hardcore. She’s not exactly the Supergirl we’re used to seeing.”
Who else is in the cast for ‘Supergirl’?
Jason Momoa arriving for the Amazon Upfront on May 13th, 2025. Photo by Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images for Amazon.
And not forgetting Jason Momoa, who has form with the previous incarnation of the DC movie universe (he played Aquaman, in case you forgot), who will be intergalactic bounty hunter Lobo.
When will ‘Supergirl’ be in theaters?
‘Supergirl’ is one of the few DC Studios projects to have an actual release date and is scheduled for June 26th, 2026.
Nathan Fillion will appear in HBO/DC series ‘Lanterns.’
This new series adapts the ‘Green Lantern’ DC Comics in grounded fashion.
The show stars Aaron Pierre and Kyle Chandler.
While the mantra all through the development phase for the new HBO/DC Studios series ‘Lanterns’ –– which adapts the Green Lantern comic books –– has been a grounded take on the powerful superheroes, it would seem it’s not above a slightly more colorful character (pun intended).
TTnEJuPqjhfJlD4RHwA8l2
And it’s also crossing over with another project in James Gunn’s ever-expanding superhero universe, the one that Warner Bros. is hoping will make its comic book-birthed movie slate work –– ‘Superman.’
No, we’re not likely to see David Corenswet’s Man of Steel touch down during the show, but Nathan Fillion will show up.
Fillion, in case you hadn’t heard, will be playing Guy Gardner, a fellow Lantern to Kyle Chandler’s Hal Jordan and Aaron Pierre’s John Stewart, in ‘Superman,’ which flies into theaters on July 11th.
(Center) James Gunn and the cast of ‘Superman.’ Photo: James Gunn’s Instagram Account.
Our eyebrows, we must admit, are raised, because the look of Fillion’s character in the movie doesn’t necessarily line up with the more down-to-Earth look of the show so far (we got our first glimpse of that recently). His is a more comical appearance, with a savage bowl cut and an arrogant attitude.
Yet we haven’t seen him in action yet, so who knows exactly how he’ll work on the small screen. And if we’re honest, it’s always entertaining to see Fillion show up.
What’s the story of ‘Green Lantern’ in comics form?
Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps from DC Comics. Photo: DC Comics.
Created in its first incarnation (a Lantern named Alan Scott) in 1940 by Martin Nodell and Bill Finger, the concept of the ‘Green Lantern’ comics is that of a super-powered, police force, battling evil doers with rings that allow them to channel energy into different forms. There are many Lanterns, who patrol the known and unknown universe.
‘Green Lantern’s history on screen has been seriously mixed. Though different takes on the character have flourished in animated movies and series, their live-action counterparts have had less luck. Ryan Reynolds played the Hal Jordan version in a 2011 movie that didn’t triumph at the box office, and there have been fleeting glimpses on the small screen.
Even Zack Snyder didn’t manage to realize his chosen Lantern –– John Stewart –– in his mammoth Snyder Cut of ‘Justice League’. Despite shooting a cameo with Wayne T. Carr as Stewart, Warners asked him to remove the character because of the studio’s own plans. In the end, Snyder swapped in Martian Manhunter.
And the show had been in development before Gunn and Safran made their big DC Studios announcement. Back in 2020, ‘Pride and Prejudice and Zombies’ Seth Grahame-Smith hopped aboard to write and run what HBO Max (as the streaming service was then called) was picturing its most expensive series to date, a space-set ‘Green Lantern’ drama whose focus would be the Alan Scott and Guy Gardner iterations of the character among the first and most popular versions.
(L to R) Aaron Pierre as John Stewart and Kyle Chandler as Hal Jordan in ‘Lanterns’. Photo: John P. Johnson/HBO.
‘Lanterns’ will follow the Hal Jordan (Chandler) and John Stewart (Pierre) characters, as new recruit Stewart and Lantern legend Jordan are described in the latest official synopsis as “two intergalactic cops drawn into a dark, earth-based mystery as they investigate a murder in the American heartland.”
Here’s Chris Mundy, executive producer and showrunner on the tone for the show:
“From the start, our driving force has been to deliver a layered drama –– rooted in nuanced storytelling and rich world building –– that balances tension and mystery with honest, authentic emotion. The goal is to create something that feels timeless and grounded without sacrificing the magic of the source material.”
But there will be some powerful antagonism involved, as Ulrich Thomsen is playing Sinestro a former Green Lantern who turned rogue and is described as ruthless yet charming.
His manipulative nature drives his enduring obsession with his former mentee, Hal Jordan. The character was created by John Broome and Gil Kane and first appeared in the comic book “Green Lantern, Volume 2, #56” released in 1961.
In breaking news, Deadline brings word that Chris Coy is also part of the ensemble.
In a guest starring role, Coy will be the new character of ‘Waylon Sanders,’ an intelligent survivor… or a nervous truck driver. Age and real name unknown, he’s unbound by the laws of nature.
Who is working on ‘Lanterns’?
James Gunn at CinemaCon 2025. Photo: Warner Bros.
Mundy, whose resume includes stints on Netflix’s ‘Ozark’ and HBO’s ‘True Detective: Night Country’, is running the new series, working alongside ‘Watchmen’s Damon Lindelof and DC comics writer Tom King (whose ‘Supergirl’ comic is the basis for the new movie featuring the character).
Since they oversee the whole DC Studios arm, filmmaker Gunn and producer Peter Safran are executive producers alongside Ron Schmidt.
Where else have we seen Nathan Fillion?
Nathan Fillion in ‘Castle’. Photo: ABC.
Where haven’t we! Aside from his regular gig on ABC series ‘The Rookie’ and his previous long-running show ‘Castle,’ he’s a genre favourite who has cropped up in a variety of shows and movies.
Katherine McNamara on ‘Arrow’ season 8. Photo: Warner Bros.
Preview:
Actress Katherine McNamara discusses her role in ‘Arrow’ season 8 and ‘Crisis on Infinite Earths’
McNamara also talked about the failed pilot for ‘Green Arrow and The Canaries’ and why it was not picked up for series
Will we ever find out who abducted William Clayton? And what other storylines would have been explored in the spinoff?
And if she would want to reprise her role in James Gunn’s DC Universe
After eight successful seasons and launching the ‘Arrowverse’ series of TV shows, the flagship DC Comics series ‘Arrow’ ended in 2020 after the very successful crossover event ‘Crisis on Infinite Earths’.
USopfSJydnUKMOQes47tl2
Through a complicated time traveling plotline, Oliver Queen’s (Stephen Amell) adult daughter Mia Smoak played by actress Katherine McNamara was introduced in ‘Arrow’s final season and participated in ‘Crisis’. With the show ending, the idea was to spinoff McNamara’s character with her own series entitled ‘Green Arrow and The Canaries’, which would have seen Mia take on her father’s superhero mantle, alongside Katie Cassidy and Juliana Harkavy, reprising their roles from ‘Arrow’.
In fact, the penultimate episode of the final season of ‘Arrow’ was a backdoor pilot to ‘Green Arrow and The Canaries’, entitled ‘Livin’ in the Future’, which took place twenty years after the finale of ‘Arrow’. The episode features a future timeline where Mia never becomes the Green Arrow, but after a time displaced Dinah Drake (Harkavy) restores Mia’s memories of the other timeline, she takes on her father’s superhero identity to stop a new Deathstroke, who may or may not be her fiancé, John Diggle Jr. (Charlie Barnett). The episode ends on a cliffhanger, where Mia’s brother, William Clayton (Ben Lewis), is mysteriously abducted.
However, the series was ultimately not picked up because of COVID, or possibly James Gunntaking over DC Studios and effectively ending the ‘Arrowverse’ and any DC TV show not connected to his future-plans. While McNamara did reprise her role as Mia briefly in the final season of ‘The Flash’, she was still looking for her brother, and ultimately no satisfying conclusion to that storyline was given.
Katherine McNamara in ‘High Ground’. Photo: Republic Pictures.
Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with actress Katherine McNamara about her work on ‘High Ground,’ which was directed by ‘Arrow’ alum James Bamford and will be available to buy on digital beginning March 18th.
In addition to ‘High Ground’, we also spoke to McNamara about joining the final season of ‘Arrow’, her involvement in the groundbreaking ‘Crisis on Infinite Earths’ crossover, why ‘Green Arrow and The Canaries’ did not go to series, what that show’s storyline would have been, reprising her role in the final season of ‘The Flash’, and if she would want to return to the role in James Gunn’s new DC Universe.
(L to R) Katherine McNamara and Stephen Amell on ‘Arrow’ season 8. Photo: Warner Bros.
To begin with, McNamara discussed what it was like to join ‘Arrow’ for the final season and be a part of the ‘Arrowverse’ of TV shows.
“I’d obviously seen how beloved Oliver and Felicity as individual characters were, but also as a couple. When I auditioned, I had no idea that that is the character I was auditioning for. I didn’t know until after I was cast. Suddenly, I got this news that I was the human product of Oliver and Felicity, and I’m going, “Oh, I have big shoes to fill. All right, let’s see.” It was amazing, because obviously Stephen Amell and Emily Bett Rickards did such incredible work on that show and had seven seasons at that point of rich character work.”
McNamara also talked about her research and approach to playing the role.
“I watched the whole series, and I was able to kind of cherry pick different qualities, good and bad of each of their characters, and mush them together to create Mia. Taking Felicity’s sense of humor and Oliver’s walk and his propensity to have a short temper, but also her mother’s strategy, and being able to blend those things together to create this new character that the writers gave such a beautiful, twisted, deep story to. I couldn’t have asked for anything more. “
Making ‘Crisis on Infinite Earths’
‘Crisis on Infinite Earths’. Photo: Warner Bros.
The ‘Crisis on Infinite Earths’ event featured the first-time fans got a glimpse of Mia in her Green Arrow uniform, and McNamara talked about that process and shooting the crossover.
“I mean, that crossover episode series, I was pinching myself the entire time. It was the first time I got to wear my super suit, which we had spent months and months designing. Our costume designer, Brie Thorpe, and Ocean Drive Leather who made all the suits for all the shows, by the way, they’re insanely talented, those folks over there. But they took such care in crafting me a suit down to the fabric it’s made of, which is this thing called Euro jersey. But they made a special fabric for Mia’s suit that. It was this dark green, but it had little teeny tiny arrows on it. Nobody would ever be able to see it except for me, but it meant so much that they had put that level of detail and thought into crafting her suit. We redesigned the mask to be more like the comics as opposed to what we’d had on the show for years to kind of differentiate Mia. But, even in just being a part of such a legacy of television was a huge honor.”
What happened to ‘Green Arrow and the Canaries’?
(L to R) Juliana Harkavy, Katherine McNamara and Katie Cassidy on ‘Arrow’ season 8. Photo: Warner Bros.
McNamara also discussed making the ‘Green Arrow and The Canaries’ backdoor pilot episode that aired before the finale of ‘Arrow’.
“We did a pilot for a spinoff, and I would’ve loved to continue that had the pandemic not gotten in the way. But I was grateful to have been brought back on several of the other shows over the years just to put the suit on again, as it were.”
We followed up to ask her if the pandemic was the entire reason that the proposed series was not picked up, or if it may have also had to do with James Gunn’s takeover of DC Studios.
“As far as I know, that’s what I heard. But who knows in the end? But that’s what I was told, and it is sad, because I know all of us really were looking forward to continuing the show and continuing to be a part of the ‘Arrowverse’. But maybe there’s a world somewhere. I just want to find my brother. That’s the thing.”
Finding Closure on ‘The Flash’
(L to R) Brandon Routh, Grant Gustin, Candice Patton, Chyler Leigh, Katherine McNamara, Cress Williams, and Javicia Leslie in season 9 of ‘The Flash’. Photo: Warner Bros.
McNamara did reprise her role in the final season of ‘The Flash’, but while William’s abduction was mentioned, no true conclusion to that storyline was given. We asked the actress if she felt like that episode of ‘Flash’ gave her and her character closure.
“A little bit. But I feel like at this point, it’s either (William’s) superhero or super villain origin story, and I want to see that come to fruition in some universe someday.”
What was the storyline going to be on ‘Green Arrow and The Canaries’?
Katherine McNamara on ‘Arrow’ season 8. Photo: Warner Bros.
We followed up by asking the actress if she was ever told the plot for the first season of ‘Green Arrow and the Canaries’.
“I do know some secrets, but I promised I would never share them. It was good. I remember I was sitting in the airport flying back from Vancouver one day when the two writers that were working on the spin-off called me and told me everything. I was just in the airport lounge bawling because it was so amazing and beyond my wildest dreams and one of the most beautiful but twisted, but insanely action-packed setups for a series. One more thing that’s just lost to television time.”
Could Mia Smoak return in James Gunn’s DC Universe?
James Gunn in ‘Superpowered: The DC Story.’ Photograph by Courtesy of Max/Warner Bros.
Finally, we asked McNamara if she would be willing to reprise her role as Green Arrow in a future DC Studios’ project if she were to get a call from James Gunn.
“I’m a big fan, so I am down. If he wants the Green Arrow in the movie verse of DC, I volunteer as tribute.”
Colin Farrell is circling the lead in ‘Sgt. Rock.’
Luca Guadagnino is attached to direct the movie for DC Studios.
Daniel Craig was previously considering the idea.
It looks like it’s all change in the ranks for ‘Sgt. Rock,’ though depending on who you believe, not such a big change.
o6gqtbYM11DXV5ygnNXRF2
While word arrived back in November that Daniel Craig was looking to reunite with his ‘Queer’ director Luca Guadagnino for a very different project –– the adaptation of the militaristic DC Comics title –– there have been conflicting reports of how far Craig got in the process.
DC Studios co-chief James Gunn, for example, shot down the idea that the actor was actively in consideration, merely that he was floated as a potential lead.
Here’s what Gunn and co-president Peter Safran said recently:
“You know, we never met with Daniel. We never really even announced ‘Sgt. Rock.’ ”
Still, it would appear that the process of finding a main man for the ‘Rock’ role has been ongoing no matter what the DC bosses say, and Deadline reports that Colin Farrell is now circling the part.
Farrell, of course, is fresh off of winning a clutch of awards for another DC-related project, the TV spin-off of ‘The Batman’ called ‘The Penguin,’ focused on the criminal character.
According to Deadline’s sources, he’s looking to board ‘Sgt. Rock’ but will first have to figure out his busy schedule (more on that below).
Created by Robert Kanigher and Joe Kubert, the character first debuted in the 1959 DC issue ‘Our Army at War’ as a WWII soldier who served in the infantry. The character gained steam in 1977 when he received his own comic book series; it ran until July 1988.
Rock’s talent includes shooting down German fighter planes with a single submachine gun and tossing grenades with great accuracy. When he’s without a gun, he’s a great street fighter, and can survive gunshots. He’s a calm guy with heart, but also has a “combat antenna” able to detect an incoming enemy siege. There was also a toy series in the 1980s for Sgt. Rock around the time G.I. Joe was soaring in comic books and on TV.
Who else is working on ‘Sgt. Rock’?
Director Luca Guadagnino attends the Los Angeles Premiere of Amazon MGM Studios’ ‘Challengers’ at Regency Village Theatre on April 16, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Eric Charbonneau/Getty Images for Amazon MGM Studios.
Though Craig is not reuniting with Guadagnino for this new project, the director has recruited someone he’s worked with before: screenwriter Justin Kuritzkes. Which, given that he collaborated with the director on both tennis love triangle drama ‘Challengers’ and the Craig-starring William S. Boroughs ‘Queer’ suggests this is coming together quickly.
And the prolific director has been busy –– he already has Amazon MGM Studios’ Julia Roberts and Andrew Garfield thriller ‘After the Hunt’ making its way through post-production release later this year on October 10th.
What else is Colin Farrell working on?
Colin Farrell as Oswald “Oz” Cobb in Max’s ‘The Penguin.’ Photo: Macall Polay/HBO.
Farrell, is, of course, an actor in demand, and he has a few projects lined up in the coming months.
He’ll be filming the second season of twisty Apple TV+ drama ‘Sugar’ this year.
m4MB0I96nqjQn4wMo8YB86
Plus, assuming he’s ready to put himself back into the prosthetics for the character –– something he’s said he definitely needs time away from –– Farrell may well be preparing for a new season of ‘The Penguin.’ There’s also the chance he’ll be back in for ‘The Batman’ sequel.
The story for that one follows a high-stakes gambler who decides to lay low in Macau after his past and debts catch up with him. Along the way he encounters a kindred spirit who might just hold the key to his salvation.
Production Asia occurred last summer, with Rowan Joffe adapting the script based on the novel by Lawrence Osborne.
Beyond that, the picture is murkier despite a big confident announcement from Gunn and Safran. A movie based on Batman villain Clayface is in development and recently landed ‘Speak No Evil’ director James Watkins to call the shots.
Batman himself is likely to return in ‘The Brave and the Bold,’ but that has experienced some scripting and director delay issues.
On the small screen, things are healthier, with the likes of the animated ‘Creature Commandos’ already out and a new season of ‘Peacemaker’ on the way. We also know that ‘Green Lantern’-based series ‘Lanterns’ is now filming.
When will ‘Sgt. Rock’ be on screens?
With no official commitment to the movie yet, there is zero information about a release date for the movie at this time.
He went on to lead two ‘Aquaman’ stand-alone movies, the wildly successful first movie in 2018 and the less well-received (and much less financially profitable ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’ in 2023.
Not so! After several months of him talking about how much he wants to switch gears and play the antiheroic bounty hunter Lobo, it would appear he has gotten his wish, and via a project produced by Gunn, no less.
Momoa took to Instagram to confirm the news, sharing a chunk of a previous interview quote where he talks about his hopes to play the character:
“I collect comics, and I don’t do so much anymore, but was always my favorite, and I always wanted to play Lobo, because I’m like, ‘Hello? It’s the perfect role.’ ”
Alongside the Instagram screenshot, Momoa posted a caption this morning that reads, “They called.”
And while Gunn –– usually the source for official confirmation of such things –– didn’t post a long comment, he did put the following up on Instagram shortly after Momoa let slip the word…
Created by writer Roger Slifer and artist Keith Giffen, Lobo is often depicted as a bounty hunter who enjoys chaos and destruction. He was first introduced in ‘Omega Men #3’ in June 1983.
An antihero known for his violent and irreverent personality, who hails from the planet Czarnia, Lobo possesses superhuman strength, regenerative abilities and an invulnerability that makes him a formidable opponent. His look was modelled on the members of glam rock band Kiss.
Various attempts have been made to bring Lobo to the big screen over the years. Filmmakers such as Guy Ritchie and Brad Peyton both took stabs, with Dwayne Johnson circling the roll for Peyton’s version.
In 2018, Warner Bros. and Michael Bay also flirted with the idea, but the concept never got off the ground. On the small screen, Emmett J. Scanlan played the character on the SyFy series ‘Krypton.’
What’s the story of ‘Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow’?
DC Comics’ Supergirl from writer Tom King’s ‘Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow.’ Photo courtesy of DC.com.
While the exact storyline for ‘Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow’ has yet to be confirmed, we do know it’ll be a big-scale sci-fi film based on Tom King and Bilquis Evely’s comic run. It features a “darker, harsher” version of Kara Zor-El raised on a surviving chunk of Krypton who sees everyone around her die.
This is what Gunn said at the time of the announcement:
“This is a very different type of Supergirl. In our film, we see the difference between Superman, who was sent to Earth and raised by loving parents from, you know, the time he’s an infant, versus Supergirl, who was raised on a rock chip-off of Krypton and watched everyone around her die and be killed in terrible ways for the first 14 years of her life, and then came to Earth when she was a young girl and is much more hardcore. She’s not exactly the Supergirl we’re used to seeing.”
We do at least also know that Matthias Schoenaerts will be playing Krem of the Yellow Hill, who kills a young alien girl’s father. The girl in question –– Eve Ridley as Ruthye Marye Knoll –– then draws Supergirl into the conflict.
Craig Gillespie is aboard to direct the movie from a script by Ana Nogueira, with the cameras scheduled to start rolling on January 13th in Los Angeles.
Besides this new, exciting development, the news has been less rosy, with the announcement that Matt Reeves’ ‘The Batman’ sequel will be pushed aback in the release schedule yet again, this time to October 1st, 2027 (for the record, it was originally aiming for an October 2025 launch).
Fans were naturally worried, and Gunn tried to assuage concerns by saying that the delay was to let Reeves perfect the script.
The studio boss/filmmaker also took to Threads to defend the delay:
“To be fair, a 5 year gap or more is fairly common in sequels. 7 years between ‘Alien’ and ‘Aliens.’ 14 years between ‘Incredibles.’ 7 years between the first two ‘Terminators.’ 13 years between ‘Avatars.’ 36 years between ‘Top Guns.’ And, of course, 6 years between ‘Guardians’ Vol 2. and Vol 3.”
When will ‘Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow’ be in theaters?
‘Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow’ is one of the few DC Studios projects to have an actual release date and is scheduled for June 26th, 2026.
DC Comics’ Supergirl from writer Tom King’s ‘Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow.’ Photo courtesy of DC.com.
Other Movies Similar to ‘Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow’:
(L to R) Nina Mazursky, GI Robot, The Bride, Rick Flag Sr., Dr. Phosphorus, Weasel in ‘Creature Commandoes’. Photo: Courtesy of Max.
Launching with its first two episodes (of seven) on December 5th on Max, ‘Creature Commandos’ marks the start of filmmaker James Gunn and producer Peter Safran’s run in charge of DC Studios, the arm of Warner Bros. Discovery intended to adapt its sprawling DC Comics properties.
It faces quite the challenge, since Warners has seen some truly mixed fortunes with the likes of Superman, Batman and the rest, and particularly in combining them via one cohesive cinematic universe.
Gunn certainly brings some experience to the table, having spent a few years with the ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ characters in the MCU (and a wealth of other genre work), plus getting a solid ‘Suicide Squad’ effort into cinemas and, possibly even more importantly, impressing audiences with his take on the Peacemaker character spun off from that on to TV.
(L to R) Dr. Phosphorus, GI Robot, The Bride, Nina Mazursky, Rick Flag Sr. in ‘Creature Commandoes’. Photo: Courtesy of Max.
This very much has the feel of Gunn’s work –– it’s chatty, funny in a dark, sometimes sarcastic way, but is also filled with moments of humanity (even if they’re for characters who are decidedly non-human).
Here, he’s able to indulge in even more of what he enjoys, including deconstructing tropes (while also using them when needed), poking fun at stalwart concepts such as heroism and moral gray areas and letting a talented cast. That much-aimed for cohesiveness is already showing up, since Frank Grillo, who voices Rick Flag Sr. here, will be bringing the character to live-action for ‘Peacemaker’ Season 2.
Script and Direction
(L to R) Dr. Phosphorus, The Bride, Nina Mazursky, Rick Flag Sr., GI Robot, Weasel in ‘Creature Commandoes’. Photo: Courtesy of Max.
Gunn, in typically busy form, wrote all seven episodes, adapting the comics originally created by Pat Broderick and J.M. DeMatteis.
The story across the episodes follows one mission –– taking down the threat of sorceress Circe (Anya Chalotra) who has tasked what is effectively an incel army obsessed with the all-female island of Themiscyra (AKA Wonder Woman’s home) with attacking a small fictional Eastern European country in the hopes of using its resources to conquer the island, which Circe believes is her right.
Amanda Waller (Viola Davis, who has played the role across the two ‘Suicide Squad’ movies and ‘Peacemaker’ has to gather who she can to send on the mission to stop them, her resources severely depleted since the disastrous assignment in Gunn’s ‘Squad’ movie.
(L to R) GI Robot, Dr. Phosphorus, The Bride, Rick Flag Sr., Nina Mazursky, Weasel in ‘Creature Commandoes’. Photo: Courtesy of Max.
It’s a compelling set up for a misfit mission movie, the various characters quickly proving to be oil and water in their outlooks, and Flag trying to keep them unified (or at least not killing each other… or him).
The result is an entertaining brew that is filled with plenty of action and drama and also manages to explore the backstories of the various characters (yes, even Weasel has a tragic past).
Yves “Balak” Bigerel is the show’s supervising director, and he and his team certainly find a style that fits with Gunn’s writing. The animation brings to mind more recent efforts such as ‘Harley Quinn,’ and its dynamic enough for what it needs.
Performances
Gunn has recruited an impressive voice cast for the show, with a few standouts…
Frank Grillo as Rick Flag Sr.
(L to R) Rick Flag Sr., Amanda Waller in ‘Creature Commandoes’. Photo: Courtesy of Max.
While Flag, pressed into service to lead the team, is more of a straight man to the wilder personalities that make it up, he’s not without depth and a proper storyline. Grillo lends him the appropriate amount of gruff weariness and shows the man’s layers particularly when talking about his late son (in one of several references to ‘The Suicide Squad’).
The Bride in ‘Creature Commandoes’. Photo: Courtesy of Max.
The Bride of Frankenstein is one of the more interesting characters on the team, filled with rage and sadness at her creation (or re-birth) purely to serve the interests of a man. It’s one that needed a sure touch, and between Gunn’s writing and Varma’s sensitive, full-throated performance, it works well.
(L to R) Nina Mazursky, GI Robot, Dr. Phosphorus in ‘Creature Commandoes’. Photo: Courtesy of Max.
The team’s aquatic mutant, she’s the nerdy, nervier member who has to find her backbone to really fight alongside them. Chao does good work voicing both sides of a character who has one of the more interesting arcs.
(L to R) Princess Ilana, Rick Flag Sr. in ‘Creature Commandoes’. Photo: Courtesy of Max.
Gunn veteran Bakalova (who voiced Cosmo in the third ‘Guardians’ movie), here voices the princess of the country that Flag and the rest are sent to help. Initially attracted to the old soldier, she reveals some hidden depths and Bakalova is good playing the layers.
Other notable characters
(L to R) GI Robot in ‘Creature Commandoes’. Photo: Courtesy of Max.
This being a Gunn production, it surely would be complete without at least one member of his family, and Sean Gunn is back playing both the slavering Weasel (who, as mentioned, gets a convincingly sad backstory) and World War II relic creation G.I. Robot, who is obsessed with slaying Nazis. Sean Gunn brings them both to vibrant vocal life.
David Harbour, meanwhile, scores a decently meaty role as Eric Frankenstein, the creature created by the literary doctor, who has his own reasons for keeping track of our heroes (and obviously factors into the Bride’s story).
Final Thoughts
(L to R) GI Robot, Dr. Phosphorus, Rick Flag Sr. in ‘Creature Commandoes’. Photo: Courtesy of Max.
Not every filmmaker would choose to have the story of a group of violent, strange creatures be the beachhead for their new, linked comic book adaptation universe. But James Gunn is not every filmmaker, and while ‘Creature Commandos’ certainly won’t be to everyone’s taste, it’s quite the calling card.
His take on Superman will be with us next year and that might give us more an idea of how he handles the traditional hero’s story. For now, though, this group are entertaining and emotional in equal measure.
And those who are big DC Comics fans will find plenty of references –– not that you have to know them to understand the story –– bringing flavor to the show.
‘Creature Commandos’ receives 7.5 out of 10 stars.
PK1bn9dFGSF2mzuSrLinl
What’s the story of ‘Creature Commandos’?
The new DC animated series tracks a secret team of incarcerated monsters recruited for missions deemed too dangerous for humans.
When all else fails… they’re your last, worst option.
(Left) Daniel Craig as Detective Benoit Blanc in Netflix’s ‘Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery.’ Photo: Netflix. (Right) Sgt. Rock from DC Comics. Photo: DC Comics.
Preview:
Daniel Craig may play the Sgt. Rock character for DC Studios.
His ‘Queer’ director Luca Guadagnino is developing the film.
The character was created by Robert Kanigher and Joe Kubert
How do you go about following a buzzy adaptation of William S. Burroughs’ cult novel ‘Queer,’ which is drawing plenty of praise and a wealth of awards chatter?
Apparently, if you’re star Daniel Craig and director Luca Guadagnino (who also this year brought us the much-discussed tennis drama ‘Challengers’), you pivot to developing a… DC Studios movie based on comic book… ‘Sgt. Rock’?
o6gqtbYM11DXV5ygnNXRF2
Yes, if we’re being completely honest, we would not have gotten that in a thousand guesses for the next project from these two.
Craig, of course, spent years working in the franchise world that is the James Bond cinematic universe, and has been quite vocal about his pleasure in getting to make something edgier now he’s no longer responsible for 007.
And Guadagnino is more known for the likes of ‘Call Me by Your Name,’ ‘Bones and All’ and ‘A Bigger Splash;’ in fact, the closest he’s come to this sort of filmmaking –– and it’s not that close –– is his remake of ‘Suspiria’ in 2018.
But here we are. At this point, of course, we have to point out that there is no official word from Warner Bros. or the DC Studios team, which is not surprising given how early this is and that Deadline reports no deals have been locked in yet.
The character of Sgt. Franklin John Rock was created by Robert Kanigher and Joe Kubert and first appeared in the 1959 DC issue ‘Our Army at War’ as a World War II soldier who served in the infantry.
The character scored his own comic book series in 1977, which ran until July 1988. Rock’s talent includes shooting down German plans with a single submachine gun and tossing grenades with great accuracy. When he’s without a gun, he’s a great street fighter, and can survive gunshots. He’s a calm guy with heart, but also has a “Combat Antenna” able to detect an incoming enemy siege.
Who else is working on ‘Sgt. Rock’?
Director Luca Guadagnino attends the Los Angeles Premiere of Amazon MGM Studios’ ‘Challengers’ at Regency Village Theatre on April 16, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Eric Charbonneau/Getty Images for Amazon MGM Studios.
Right now, aside from Craig and Guadagnino –– who again, are not completely signed on for this –– Deadline also brings word that screenwriter Justin Kuritzkes has been working on the script. Which, given that he collaborated with the director on both ‘Challengers’ and ‘Queer’ suggests this is coming together.
(L to R) David Corenswet and Krypto in ‘Superman.’ Photo: James Gunn’s Instagram account.
Preview:
James Gunn has shared a first look at ‘Superman’s Krypto.
The super-powered canine is inspired by his own rescue dog, Ozu.
This version of Krypto will make his debut next July when ‘Superman’ lands in theaters.
Aside from his successful filmmaking career, James Gunn has often talked about his love for his various cats and dogs, including the fact that most of his menagerie are rescue pets.
His dogs in particular have showed up in cameos in movie such as ‘Guardians of the Galaxy.’ So it makes sense that the version of Krypto the Superdog is inspired by Gunn’s own rescue dog, Ozu.
Here’s Gunn’s sweet tweet about the super-pooch and his real-world basis:
Krypto first appeared in 1955 in ‘Adventure Comics #210’ and appeared in numerous animated series and films, but never before in a live-action film.
The self-titled ‘Krypto the Superdog’ animated series starring the canine superhero premiered on Cartoon Network in 2005.
In the series, Krypto was Superman’s pet puppy on Krypton before being sent into space before the planet was destroyed. Upon landing on Earth he is a fully grown dog who has similar abilities to those of Superman.
(L to R) Rachel Brosnahan, David Corenswet and director James Gunn on the set of ‘Superman.’ Photo: James Gunn’s Instagram account.
Little is truly known about the plotline at this point, but Gunn has been clear that he’s eschewing the usual exploding home planet Krypton/arrival in Smallville origin story (though those will likely be referenced) in favor of more of a workplace film with Clark showing up to work at the Planet, where Lois Lane will already be an established reporting star.
Peter Safran, Gunn’s co-chief of DC Studios (and a producer on the movie) said this about the new movie during the duo’s big announcement about DC films and series going forward:
“It focuses on Superman balancing his Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing. He is the embodiment of truth, justice and the American way. He is kindness in a world that thinks of kindness as old-fashioned.”
OT00arSyAacXCGscjvNND4
Who is appearing in ‘Superman’?
(Center) James Gunn and the cast of ‘Superman.’ Photo: James Gunn’s Instagram Account.
That’s the main ensemble; we can expect an appearance from Gunn’s brother Sean (a regular in his movies, who has played the likes of Kraglin and provided the on-set reference performance and voice for Rocket Raccoon in the ‘Guardians’ franchise) as the villainous Maxwell Lord.
Aaron Pierre is joining the DC Studios TV series ‘Lanterns.’
The show adapts the ‘Green Lantern’ comics.
Damon Lindelof and Chris Mundy are among the producers of the new show.
The details are truly falling into place for DC Studios/HBO’s ‘Green Lanterns’ comics-based TV series ‘Lanterns.’
We learned last month that Kyle Chandler had entered talks to play one of the key lead roles, Lantern Corps member Hal Jordan, and he’s now signed a deal to star.
Casting his co-star came down to final decision between Stephan James (‘Race’) and Aaron Pierre, who recently showed his bad-ass side in ‘Rebel Ridge’ on Netflix. And now we know that Pierre has won the role of John Stewart, Jordan’s fellow corpsman.
It’s a much-anticipated role, since Pierre will be playing a character based on one of the States’ first black superheroes, and the show itself is a key part of DC Studios bosses James Gunn and Peter Safran’s strategy going forward.
TTnEJuPqjhfJlD4RHwA8l2
What’s the story of ‘Green Lantern’ in comics form?
DC Comics’ Green Lantern John Stewart. Photo: DC Comics.
Created in its first incarnation (a Lantern named Alan Scott) in 1940 by Martin Nodell and Bill Finger, the concept of the ‘Green Lantern’ comics is that of a super-powered, police force, battling evil doers with rings that allow them to channel energy into different forms. There are many Lanterns, who patrol the known and unknown universe.
‘Green Lantern’s history on screen has been seriously mixed. Though different takes on the character have flourished in animated movies and series, their live-action counterparts have had less luck. Ryan Reynolds played the Hal Jordan version in a 2011 movie that didn’t triumph at the box office, and there have been fleeting glimpses on the small screen.
Even Zack Snyder didn’t manage to realize his chosen Lantern –– John Stewart –– in his mammoth Snyder Cut of ‘Justice League’. Despite shooting a cameo with Wayne T. Carr as Stewart, Warners asked him to remove the character because of the studio’s own plans. In the end, Snyder swapped in Martian Manhunter.
Gunn has Nathan Fillion playing the Guy Gardner incarnation in his ‘Superman’ movie, which lands on July 11th next year.
(Center) James Gunn and the cast of ‘Superman.’ Photo: James Gunn’s Instagram Account.
And the show had been in development before Gunn and Safran made their big announcement. Back in 2020, ‘Pride and Prejudice and Zombies’ Seth Grahame-Smith hopped aboard to write and run what HBO Max (as the streaming service was then called) was picturing its most expensive series to date, a space-set ‘Green Lantern’ drama whose focus would be the Alan Scott and Guy Gardner iterations of the character among the first and most popular versions.
‘Lanterns’ will follow the Hal Jordan and John Stewart characters, as new recruit Stewart and Lantern legend Jordan are described in the latest official synopsis as “two intergalactic cops drawn into a dark, earth-based mystery as they investigate a murder in the American heartland.” So, think ‘True Detective’ meets ‘Green Lantern’…
Jodie Foster in HBO’s ‘True Detective: Night Country.’ Photo: Michele K. Short/HBO.
Chris Mundy, whose resume includes stints on Netflix’s ‘Ozark’ and HBO’s ‘True Detective: Night Country’, is showrunner on the new series, working alongside ‘Watchmen’s Damon Lindelof and DC comics writer Tom King (whose ‘Supergirl’ comic is the basis for the new movie featuring the character).
(Left) Bane from DC Comics. Photo: DC Comics. (Right) Deathstroke from DC Comics. Photo: DC Comics.
Preview:
Warner Bros.’ based DC Studios is developing a script about Bane and Deathstroke.
The DC villains have both been seen on screen before.
Matthew Orton is writing the screenplay.
Even with ‘Superman‘ flying his way back to screens next year, Warner Bros. and DC Studios are staying focused on its bad guys right now.
The companies have ‘The Penguin’ on screen right now via HBO and Max (to solid reviews and healthy viewing figures), while fellow Batman wrongdoer The Joker will return to theaters –– albeit in altered, Joaquin Phoenix form –– via ‘Joker: Folie à Deux’ on October 4th.
And it would seem they’re not done putting the rogue’s gallery front and center, as The Hollywood Reporter brings word that Bane and Deathstroke appear likely to get their own movie.
(Left) Bane from DC Comics. Photo: DC Comics. (Right) Deathstroke from DC Comics. Photo: DC Comics.
Bane, who was created by writer Chuck Dixon and artist Graham Nolan in the 1990s, is a hulking masked villain who was raised in a Caribbean prison and who (in a later storyline) was the subject of a terrible steroid test, leaving his strength boosted but with a lingering serum addiction –– hence his trademark mask.
The character on the page might be best known for the ‘Knightfall’ storyline where he broke Batman’s back and saw his profile rise among fans. He has been all over video games and TV series (including a funny take in the animated ‘Harley Quinn’ show) and made his biggest impact on the big screen as part of Christopher Nolan’s ‘The Dark Knight Rises,’ where he was played by Tom Hardy.
As for Deathstroke, he was introduced in 1980, created by writer Marv Wolfman and artist George Perez, and originally was an antagonist for the Teen Titans. His notoriety and popularity has skyrocketed since then, and he’s faced off against Batman and the Justice League.
And that has been his fate of late –– he was going to be the villain of ‘The Batman’, back when Ben Affleck was directing and starring. At another point, he was attached to star in an eponymous movie from ‘The Raid’ director Gareth Evans.
