DCU Film The Authority 'On the Back Burner,' as James Gunn Points to Difficulty 'Getting It Right in a World With The Boys'

DC Studios co-chief James Gunn recently revealed that the upcoming DCU film The Authority has been placed on the back burner. This surprising announcement comes two years after the project was unveiled as part of the Chapter 1: Gods and Monsters reboot. Initially described as a "big movie," The Authority, featuring the brutally effective superhero team from the WildStorm Universe, has encountered significant development hurdles.

Gunn cited the project's complexity and the success of Amazon's The Boys as contributing factors to the delay. He explained that adapting The Authority in a landscape already shaped by similar, successful properties presented unique challenges. Furthermore, the evolving overall narrative of the DCU and the desire to integrate already established characters and their ongoing storylines have added to the complexities. As a result, the film's production has been temporarily sidelined.

One character from The Authority, the technologically gifted Angela Spica (The Engineer), is slated to appear in the upcoming Superman: Legacy. The Engineer, known for her self-duplication abilities, technopathy, genius-level intellect, and radio-induced telepathy, is considered one of the team's most powerful members. For a deeper dive into The Authority characters, see IGN's article, "Who Are the Authority: The WildStorm DCU Characters Explained."

Other Chapter 1: Gods and Monsters projects have also faced setbacks. Gunn mentioned that Waller, a spin-off of Peacemaker, has experienced production delays. However, Booster Gold is progressing well, and Paradise Lost remains a high priority, with the pilot script currently underway.

Regarding Swamp Thing, DC Studios is patiently awaiting the availability of director James Mangold, who is currently working on other projects, including a Star Wars film. While acknowledging Mangold's talent and their enthusiasm for the project, Safran and Gunn clarified that Swamp Thing isn't crucial to the overarching narrative of the DCU.

DC Universe: Every Upcoming Movie and TV Show

38 Images