DC Studios isn't afraid of dark stories, having already announced its fifth project featuring a main villain. Of course, the next two summers will be dedicated to good heroes. Supergirl is coming to theaters soon, and it looks poised to rival several box office giants. It will be followed in 2027 by Man of Tomorrow, where Superman and his nemesis Lex Luthor battle the terrifying android Brainiac.
The Man of Steel and Luthor certainly have all the makings of the DC Universe's oddest couple. However, they'll face competition from an unexpected source. During a red carpet appearance for Supergirl, DC Studios co-CEO Peter Safran was asked about the company's upcoming projects (according to Good Nerd). He spoke at length about The Brave and the Bold, but also mentioned what he called «"The Gorilla Grodd Show".
Safran was referring to a Jimmy Olsen spinoff series, which reportedly had several different titles. In this mockumentary, Superman would investigate crimes around the world, and one of his targets would be Gorilla Grodd, who briefly appeared in "Monster Commandos." But Safran indicated that Grodd was open to a major role in the series, possibly even taking over the top spot previously held by Olsen.
Grodd is one of DC's most intelligent characters, the product of government experiments, and has a long history in comics. He also made frequent appearances on The Flash on The CW, so public attention is nothing new to him. It will just take some effort to make him and Olsen a compelling pairing, as they're proving quite challenging to find common ground.
Luckily, Safran and his fellow co-CEO James Gunn know a thing or two about fleshing out their villains, especially when they're leading the charge rather than lurking in the shadows.
In DC Universe projects, the main roles are played by villains.
Peacemaker
Gunn got off to a triumphant start with his first DC Universe project, Suicide Squad. The film, which introduced a completely new cast of troublemakers, gave a platform to characters like Pied Piper and Bloodsport. However, the real revelation was Peacemaker, who killed Rick Flag Jr. to cover up Amanda Waller's misdeeds.
The murder of an American hero sets Christopher Smith on a journey of redemption in his solo series, Peacemaker. In the second season of the HBO Max series, released under the auspices of the DC Universe, the title character and his friends attempt to evade Rick Flag Sr., the new leader of A.R.G.U.S., who is hell-bent on revenge.
Creature Commandos
Before Flag Sr. allowed vengeance to consume him, he righted Waller's wrongs in the animated series Creature Commandos. After Task Force X was incapacitated, the new group of villains discovered that working for the government wasn't so great. The Bride took command, traveling to Pokolistan to protect Princess Ilana Rostovich from the sorceress Circe.
The first season of Commando, consisting of seven episodes, revealed the backstories of each of the main characters, each more tragic than the last. Despite the grim ending, the final episode of the first season hinted at the team's future, which could lead to their appearance in a live-action film.
Clayface
One DC villain who's already transcending animation is Clayface, who made a small appearance in the film "Monster Commandos," where he beat up Flag Sr. Whether the 2026 film will feature the same version of the character remains to be seen. Either way, Clayface will take the character to a whole new level.
The film centers on Matt Hagen, an aspiring actor who loses everything after a knife attack. Horror icons James Watkins and Mike Flanagan intend to expand on this idea, creating what is undoubtedly DC Studios' most terrifying project to date.
The film "Deathstroke and Bane"«
As Clayface prepares for his triumphant arrival on the big screen, two other villains from the Batman universe are seeking redemption. DC Studios is developing a team-up film featuring Deathstroke and Bane, and Peacemaker director Greg Mottola is reportedly considering helming the project (according to Deadline).
While there's no obvious connection between the Terminator and his future on-screen partner, their hatred for the Dark Knight could prove sufficient reason for their bond. It's also possible that their future hinges on the "Salvation" storyline set up in the second season of "Peacemaker.".
Bonus: Penguin
Matt Reeves is clearly not one to share; he's repeatedly rejected the idea of a crossover between his Batman universe and the DC Universe. However, DC Studios is still writing the checks, meaning Penguin, which he produced, could very well make this list.
The HBO Max spinoff of The Batman sends Oz Cobb on a mission to fill the void in Gotham City's criminal underworld. Oz lied, stole, and killed to rise to the top, and by the series' end, he had his eye on the mayor's office. However, his adventures will have to continue on the big screen, as Penguin will reportedly not return for season two.