There are plenty of movies coming down the pike at DC Studios, with Supergirl, Man of Tomorrow, and Clayface in various stages of production. Still, a few of the studio’s other films have a big question mark looming over them like a shadow. Instead of keeping fans in the dark, James Gunn recently updated audiences about projects like The Authority, which, unfortunately, Gunn says, is getting moved to the back burner.
Gunn on The Authority Not Fitting Into the DCU
Speaking about The Authority, Gunn said, “The script wasn’t quite there but more importantly it didn’t work in terms of the larger DCU both in terms of the story and practical concerns. Maybe some day. Not soon.”
Created by Warren Ellis and Bryan Hitch, The Authority is a group of heroes who take matters into their own hands to do what they believe is right. The original team consisted of Jenny Sparks, Jack Hawksmoor, Swift, Apollo, Midnighter, The Doctor, and The Engineer.
Among the characters mentioned above, we’ve only seen The Engineer as a part of the DCU so far. Gunn introduced The Engineer in 2025’s Superman, played by Maria Gabriela de Faria. Previously, DC Studios co-boss Peter Safran described the Authority team members as “Jack Nicholson in ‘A Few Good Men.’ They know that you want them on the wall, or at least they believe that.”
Other DCU Projects on the Horizon
Gunn and Safran announced plans to bring the Authority to the DCU in 2023 as part of DC Studios’ Chapter 1: Gods and Monsters slate. Other projects included in the initial lineup are Superman Legacy (renamed Superman), Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow (renamed Supergirl), The Brave and the Bold, Swamp Thing, Creature Commandos (which is getting a second season), Waller (which has been silent for months), Booster Gold, Lanterns (the HBO Max live-action series arrives soon-ish), and Paradise Lost, which also feels like it’s constantly on the verge of cancelation.
While I’m not familiar with The Authority, I welcome any opportunity to add new characters to the DCU. That said, the Authority cast is off-beat. I know Gunn specializes in bringing C and D-list characters center stage, but The Authority is a tough sell no matter how you slice it. I don’t blame them for setting this project aside, at least for now.
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