James Gunn cautiously reveals that 2 beleaguered DC comic book shows are still 'in development' — but the DCU's biggest movie gamble has been shelved

'It didn't work in terms of the larger DCU'

by · TechRadar

News By Tom Power published 27 April 2026

DC Studios' co-chief has updated fans on three long-dormant DCU productions (Image credit: Samir Hussein/Getty Images)

Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter

  • James Gunn has shared an update on three DCU Chapter One projects
  • One movie announced in January 2023 is no longer in active development
  • Two long-dormant shows are still being worked on

DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn has provided fans with an update on three beleaguered DC Universe (DCU) projects — and it's bad news for one of them. Responding to a fan on Threads, Gunn confirmed that The Authority, a movie that was part of Gunn's initial DCU Chapter One line-up announcement in January 2023, has been canceled.

As part of a longer response to someone who theorized that Gunn was planning to write and/or direct the film, he 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 [we'll revisit it] some day [but] Not soon."

The Authority would've starred María Gabriela de Faría's The Engineer, who appeared in 2025's Superman (Image credit: DC Studios/Warner Bros. Pictures)

Unveiled alongside new solo adventures for DC icons Superman and Batman as part of Gunn and co-chief Peter Safran's new-look cinematic franchise, The Authority was set to be influenced the eponymous anti-hero team's comic book series that was published under DC's Wildstorm sister company.

Article continues below

With the DCU Chapter One slate undergoing some changes since its early 2023 reveal, though, The Authority's movie adaptation has become the first major casualty of Gunn and Safran's reign.

Booster Gold will tell the tale of the titular showboater's attempts to become a hero in his own right (Image credit: DC Studios)

As for two other productions — Booster Gold and Paradise Lost — that have been trapped in development limbo for over three years, Gunn shared a more positive, albeit short, update.

Replying to another query about two shows that are still expected to hit HBO Max at some point, Gunn wrote: "Booster Gold is in development. Paradise Lost is in extreme development."

Of course, that doesn't indicate when we might see either one of them. Nevertheless, it confirms that both TV series are still being worked on, which is welcome news when we've heard very little about them since they were confirmed as part of DCU Chapter One.

Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox

Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more.

Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors