James Gunn’s Scrapped DCU Roadmap Revealed: Batman, Superman Sequels and a Justice League Endgame

James Gunn’s DCU plans for Batman and the Justice League have always been the big unanswered question hanging over DC Studios. Since the shared universe launched, fans have wondered when the new Dark Knight would arrive and how Gunn’s Superman films would grow into something larger.

Those questions became more pressing this week. James Gunn and Peter Safran are stepping down as co-CEOs of DC Studios, with former Marvel Studios executive Jeremy Latcham appointed as the division’s new president and chief creative officer, and the change takes effect on December 1.

Now we have a much clearer picture of what the outgoing leaders had mapped out. The Wall Street Journal’s Ben Fritz, covering the day Gunn and Peter Safran were shown out at DC Studios, shared details on X.

According to Fritz, the pair are debuting Wonder Woman in “Man of Tomorrow,” hoped to introduce the DCU Batman in “The Brave and the Bold” in 2028, and were aiming for Gunn-directed Superman sequels that low-key evolved into Justice League in 2029 and 2031.

That last part is the biggest reveal. Rather than one standalone team-up film, Gunn’s Superman saga would have gradually grown into event-level Justice League movies. That would explain the continued presence of the “Justice Gang” in Superman’s solo franchise.

DCU’s plans included introducing Batman in ‘THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD’ in 2028. James Gunn’s ‘SUPERMAN’ sequels would then build toward a ‘JUSTICE LEAGUE’ movie between 2029 and 2031. (Via: @benfritz) https://t.co/2pkQiY6IGA

— The Hollywood Handle (@HollywoodHandle) November 9, 2026

There’s an important clarification about the Batman date. Fritz later corrected himself on X, explaining that he had mixed up 2 projects: “the ‘Dynamic Duo’ animated movie featuring two Robins is coming out in 2028. ‘Brave and the Bold’ was more likely going to be 2029.”

Correction to myself: the "Dynamic Duo" animated movie featuring two Robins is coming out in 2028. "Brave and the Bold" was more likely going to be 2029. (got my Batman movies confused)

— Ben Fritz (@benfritz) November 9, 2026

The later window lines up with past comments from Gunn. He previously said there would not be two Batman movies in the same year, and Matt Reeves’ ‘The Batman Part II’ is coming out on February 18, 2028.

The Dark Knight’s DCU debut has had a long, bumpy development. The Brave and the Bold was first announced in January 2023 as part of the Chapter One slate. Andy Muschietti signed on to direct the film after helming The Flash. Christina Hodson joined the project in January 2026 to write the screenplay.

Final Trailer for ‘SUPERMAN’ in Hi-Res https://t.co/O3d3GtKyhO

— DCU Brief (@DCUBrief) June 11, 2025

Its status has been debated for months. In August, Gunn pushed back on claims the film was paused, insisting that the project is in no way on hold. Around the same time, a separate report claimed Muschietti had said all work was on hold until the Warner Bros.-Paramount merger was settled, though that claim was never officially confirmed.

Now there is even more uncertainty. The studio has not announced an official theatrical date, and it’s unclear whether the incoming leadership will keep the same schedule. Much depends on Latcham.

Whether fans see ‘The Brave and the Bold,’ ‘Justice League,’ or anything else Gunn and Safran were planning may depend on Latcham. He will lead DC’s film, television and animation operations, overseeing its creative pipeline, production, talent and strategy.

Gunn isn’t leaving DC entirely, at least not yet. On Threads, he confirmed that he is writing another DC project, though his and Safran’s future with the franchise in a creative capacity after that is up in the air. Screen Rant has speculated that this project could turn out to be the planned Superman sequel and possibly the first true DCU Justice League movie.

The final trailer for DC’s ‘CLAYFACE’ has been released. In theaters on October 23. https://t.co/ecTMB97Sto

— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) September 24, 2026

The timing of the exit also stands out. According to Fritz’s reporting, the 2 executives learned only in the past several days that they were being removed after the merger. Gunn has since admitted that his time at DC Studios was a difficult one.

For now, ‘Man of Tomorrow’ remains the next big DCU film, and Wonder Woman’s debut is still part of the plan. Everything after that, from Batman’s DCU introduction to the long-teased Justice League, is in the hands of a new creative boss.

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