James Gunn has put names to the DCU’s most valuable properties. In a Threads post replying to a now-deleted comment, the DC Studios co-head called Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman the franchise’s “diamond characters”. As IGN reports, he also said the studio’s long-cited 8-10 year roadmap covers “DC as a whole” and not only story beats.
Gunn framed the post as a reminder of what he said in January 2023, when the DCU was announced. Some stories, he wrote, would be standalone like the Guardians of the Galaxy films, which he says is what Clayface is. Others would sit inside a larger narrative, such as the Superman Saga, and each piece should still work on its own.
The roadmap also includes “smaller characters we could turn into diamonds”, which Gunn listed as Krypto the Superdog, John Stewart and Peacemaker. That fits the picture Comic Basics draws from the 2023 slate reveal, where co-head Peter Safran talked about growing lesser-known characters into the diamonds of tomorrow. John Cena has said Peacemaker is taking a back seat as Gunn builds the wider DCU, so his place on the list gives that story some context. Gunn added that the plan covers filmmaker freedom, multiple tones and ratings, and the influence of Star Wars and George R.R. Martin.
The list doesn’t match what’s on screen. IGN notes that Superman is the only one of the three diamonds to appear in Gunn’s DCU so far. Wonder Woman hasn’t shown up at all, and Batman has made only a silhouette cameo in the animated Creature Commandos. Gunn closed the post by saying the pieces are coming together, which makes him even more excited for Man of Tomorrow.
Where Batman and Wonder Woman stand
Batman has a film in development, The Brave and the Bold, but it has no official release date, and the DCU version is unconnected to Matt Reeves’ The Batman films. IGN says no actor has been confirmed. Alan Ritchson was a fan favourite, but Safran has said they haven’t yet found the right role for him. Comic Basics adds that Gunn has confirmed his Batman plans have changed since the film was first announced.
Wonder Woman is even less defined. No casting has been confirmed, and IGN says it’s unclear when or how she’ll be introduced. Fan theory points to Adria Arjona, and ComicBook.com describes the idea that she’s secretly in Man of Tomorrow as “far from confirmed”.
Elsewhere on the slate, IGN says Lanterns has earned strong reviews while audience reaction to Clayface has been mixed, and The People v. Gorilla Grodd is in development. Supergirl wasn’t named in Gunn’s post either way, though she has already had her own film. IGN also reports that a live-action Poison Ivy series is in the works, with The Penguin showrunner Lauren LeFranc set to produce. No casting has been confirmed for it.
Who are the DCU’s “diamond characters”?
Gunn named Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman. He said Krypto the Superdog, John Stewart and Peacemaker are smaller characters the studio could turn into diamonds.
Has the DCU cast Batman or Wonder Woman yet?
No. IGN says neither role has a confirmed actor, and Batman’s solo film, The Brave and the Bold, has no official release date.
What is the DCU’s 8-10 year roadmap?
It’s the plan Gunn pitched in January 2023. He says it covers more than story points, including which characters to focus on, filmmaker freedom, varied tones and ratings, and the influence of Star Wars and George R.R. Martin.
