The DC Universe is literally expanding throughout Metropolis. Additionally, the next step in James Gunn’s big plan for the New DCU is to have one of Superman’s closest allies on stage. The success of ‘Superman’ marks a huge comeback for the Man of Steel and the studio.
Now, a new spin-off is on the horizon that goes further into the lives of the characters, beginning with Jimmy Olsen. The reporter will be the star of his own spinoff on HBO Max. However, this is not going to be another newsroom drama. It has been reported that the series will place Jimmy and his fellow Planet co-workers against one of the most dangerous villains in the DC Universe: Gorilla Grodd.
Jimmy Olsen Finally Steps Into The Spotlight
Olsen has been living in the shadow of Superman all his life. He is the friend, the fast-thinking reporter, the guy who is holding the camera when the most powerful superhero in the world is rescuing the world. However, now, it’s his turn to lead. The series will be based on the life of the young reporter who lived his life at the Daily Planet with a group of ambitious reporters. Interestingly, Lois Lane and Clark Kent will not feature in the show. So, the newsroom will be a rare opportunity to shine.
Related: DC Studios Reimagines Batman’s Legacy With 2 Bold New Projects
THR reports that the show will center on cases of super-powered villains. This makes the show a sort of superhero-related mystery genre. This is what makes the show unique among other comic book universes on TV. Another exciting twist is that the first major villain is Gorilla Grodd, a telepathic, hyper-intelligent ape. Although Grodd has always been associated with the Flash mythos, his appearance in a show set in Metropolis suggests a wider DCU connectivity.
It is also an indication that DC is not afraid to cross the boundaries between iconic franchises. This strategy is in line with the general vision of the DC Universe that James Gunn has. The new DCU movies and shows exist within a single continuity. When done properly, Jimmy Olsen might be a ground-level, human-level access point into the wilderness of the world of gods, monsters, and metahumans. It will be a series where journalism is justice, and average people are forced to deal with extraordinary dangers.
‘Superman’ Success Fuels DC’s Next Big Chapter
Behind the scenes, DC Studios has every reason to celebrate. James Gunn’s ‘Superman’ didn’t just reboot an icon, it reignited the DC brand. The movie earned an enormous 616.58 million dollars globally, becoming the biggest-grossing comic book film in 2025. Domestically, it earned more than $350 million, even topping the box office earnings of Marvel’s ‘Fantastic Four: First Steps’, which ended its box office run at $521.8 million.
In case you missed it: 10 DC Characters Who Deserve Their Own TV Series
More importantly, the movie earned DC Studios an estimated 100-150 million in profits, as a new Forbes report indicates. For a franchise that’s spent years trying to reclaim its footing after the Snyderverse era, this victory feels like a homecoming. Viewers have obviously welcomed David Corenswet’s Man of Steel, who is a hopeful, down-to-earth version of Superman that fans have come to love. The movie is now rated at 83 percent on Rotten Tomatoes with critics and 90 percent with the audience.
This puts the film among the highest-rated DC projects in recent history. Additionally, ‘Superman’s success did not stop at the box office. By the time the film was released on HBO Max, which was only 70 days after its theatrical release, it had garnered 13 million views worldwide in just 10 days. This puts it behind ‘Barbie’ as the most-watched streaming film at Warner Bros. This massive reaction has provided DC with the assurance to grow its universe, beginning with a focus on Jimmy Olsen and Mister Terrific, both of which are in early development.
