Delays Hit DCU Films

There’s been a series of cosmic delays in DCU. Director James Gunn and producer Peter Safran were named co-chairs and co-CEOs of DC Studios back in October 2022. Sounds great, right? Welp, this was before the strike. With the strike going in full force, it’s been over 45 days at this point (we hope they get their request met) we can expect certain projects won’t see the light of day, will get canceled, or in this case, pushed back. Check out the list below, and just to let you know, this list contains one movie that was officially pushed back, while the others are not even close to filming but are expected to reach the screens at some point if all goes well with the strike. 

 

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom
(December 20, 2023)

It was pushed back! Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, a sequel to the 2018 film starring Jason Momoa, is hitting yet another riptide on its way to the big screen. The film’s release is being rescheduled due to the strike after undergoing three reshoots.

It was initially scheduled for release in December 2022 but was later moved to March 17, 2023. After another major delay, the project was shifted to December 20, 2023. The Aquaman sequel is set to put Atlantis at risk from an ancient force, forcing Arthur Curry to protect his new Kingdom.

 

 

Joker: Folie à Deux
(October 4, 2024)
This is not a pushed-back film, however, due to the ongoing Writers’/Screen Actors’ Guild strikes, there is a possibility that the date might change. While filming has already wrapped up, post-production work could be impacted, especially if reshoots are needed.

‘2019’s Joker was one of DC’s biggest success stories, reaching critical acclaim and earning several accolades, including two Academy Awards for Best Original Score and Best Actor for Joaquin Phoenix. Though initially conceptualized as a standalone feature, a sequel, Joker: Folie à Deux, was announced to be in development in May 2021, and set to release on October 4, 2024, DC’s only release in that year. Todd Phillips’ Joker franchise takes place in DC’s Elseworlds category, so isn’t affected by the reset of the main DC Universe following 2023’s The Flash, meaning a completely fresh and separate story can unfold.

 

 

Superman: Legacy
(July 11, 2025)

Superman: Legacy will replace Henry Cavill’s DCU Man of Steel. Introducing a new Superman for the rebooted DCU. It’s a much-anticipated project. The movie promises to explore the character’s origins and his struggles to balance his dual identities as Clark Kent and Superman while fighting off villains and saving the world.

 

 

The Batman Part II
(Oct. 3, 2025)

There’s not much of a synopsis yet. It is said that The Batman – Part II will feature fan-favorite character Harvey Dent, aka Two-Face. There’s also not much to say about the plot. It is said that the sequel will be a direct continuation of Batman’s story from the last film. Bruce Wayne learned about the shady past of his parents and how they were indirectly responsible for the death of a journalist. He’s now decided that Batman can’t just be something for Gotham’s criminals to fear; he also must be a symbol for Gotham’s citizens to look up to. We’re also likely to see some of the consequences of the Riddler’s scheme from the first movie, which left Gotham submerged and caused massive destruction across the city.

 

 

The Brave and the Bold
(In Development)

While no current release date is set, The Brave and the Bold will introduce Damian Wayne. Bruce Wayne’s estranged son, to the DCU as a version of Robin. The film will be based on Grant Morrison’s 2006 – 2013 run of Batman in DC Comics, but there hasn’t been much more news about the development of the project.

 

 

Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow
(In Development)

An official release date is yet to be set, clearly contrasting Superman. Supergirl’s background unfolds on Krypton, where she endured tumultuous events for fourteen years before her journey to Earth. James Gunn promises a novel and distinctive portrayal of Supergirl, depicting her as a forceful and dynamic presence, unprecedented in past renditions.

 

The Authority
(In Development)

While The Authority has no release date, the film will be part of the DCU’s Chapter 1, Gods and Monsters. The Authority is a very different type of superhero team. The Authority is a group of cynical, pragmatic superheroes. They care little for politics and law, and will do whatever it takes to get the job done.

 

Swamp Thing
(In Development)

Swamp Thing is expected to be an honest-to-goodness horror film for the DCU. Exploring the dark origins of the mysterious Swamp Thing, based on Alan Moore’s 1984 The Saga of the Swamp Thing. Swamp Thing will remain connected to the rest of the DCU despite being darker.