The DC Universe is in an exciting transitional phase; one filled with restructuring, new continuity, fresh storytelling energy, and, of course, fan speculation spiraling at hyperspeed. In the middle of all this, James Gunn has once again stepped in to clarify what’s true, what’s false, and what still remains hidden behind the curtains of the new DCU.
The latest round of conflicting news concerning a purported ‘Superman‘ TV spin-off, based on Jimmy Olsen, has caused confusion throughout the fandom. However, Gunn has now come out and told it straight, shutting down and clarifying all the rumors.
James Gunn Clarifies Jimmy Olsen Chaos
The drama started when several websites such as Deadline, Variety, and The Hollywood Reporter published articles that a ‘Superman’ spin-off was being developed in secret. They claimed that the show was called DC Crime, and Skylar Gisondo returned to play Jimmy Olsen. Others even mentioned Gorilla Grodd as the villain of the first season. Most fans instantly loved the idea. While others were skeptical and confused.
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Then James Gunn himself intervened. In a direct response on Threads, Gunn wrote: “Just FYI, there has never been a project titled ‘DC Crime’ in development, not even as a working title. I don’t know where that came from, but it’s weird.” The wording was typical Gunn, straightforward, direct, and a little bit humorous. However, the second section of his explanation made fans even more curious. “And no, that doesn’t mean all of the rest of the story is false.”
So, the show exists. The title does not. The overall concept is still alive. This small clarification became a big deal because it confirmed a few very important things: the Jimmy Olsen series is under development. It is happening whether it is a pilot order or early scripting. It is the creation of American Vandal creators Dan Perrault and Tony Yacenda. The series will not star Clark Kent and Lois Lane.
It is not a Superman-lite project. It is a mystery series based on the Daily Planet. And yes, Gorilla Grodd is said to be the villain of Season 1. However, the official title is a mystery. This was the most significant lesson. Gunn killed the fake name, but he intentionally did not show the true one. That is to say that the series title will probably be announced as a part of a bigger slate.
Pierce Brosnan Teases Doctor Fate’s DCU Return After ‘Black Adam’
While the Jimmy Olsen conversation dominated Threads, a second wave of excitement came from none other than Pierce Brosnan. The former James Bond actor, who portrayed Doctor Fate in ‘Black Adam’, revealed during an interview with GQ that he has heard Fate will appear in the upcoming ‘Superman’ sequel, ‘Man of Tomorrow’. His exact words, “I’ve heard that Dr. Fate was going to have his own show, or his own movie. I’ve heard that he’s going to be the next Superman… and I would definitely be open to it.”
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This is enormous because of a number of reasons: One of the most highly regarded aspects of Black Adam was Doctor Fate. As Black Adam was in critical condition, the role of Kent Nelson by Brosnan was loved by everyone. He was one of the most mystically endowed characters of DC. The fact that Gunn is bringing back some of the DCEU elements demonstrates flexibility.
The new DCU is not a soft reboot. It’s a soft restart. This means popular castings can return, effective character interpretations may be transferred, and whole backstories can be rewritten. The re-entry of Doctor Fate into the universe is ideal in this approach. ‘Man of Tomorrow’ has a power-packed setup. And if Gunn is planning a bigger arc, possibly connected to Justice League Dark or multiversal magic, Fate is the perfect character to start threading those ideas.
