James Gunn Reveals Why DC Has Canceled The Authority Film (For Now)

The brand new DC Universe is up and working. Final 12 months’s “Superman” obtained the enterprise entering into earnest, with DC Studios and Warner Bros. now shifting full-steam forward with James Gunn and Peter Safran’s plan for the franchise. That features some tasks that weren’t initially a part of the plan, comparable to “Clayface.” It additionally implies that some tasks that have been initially a part of the plan, comparable to “The Authority,” are not occurring. At the least not anytime quickly.

“The Authority” film was first revealed when the DC Universe film slate was introduced in 2023. Based mostly on the so-called “anti-Justice League” created by Warren Ellis and Bryan Hitch, updates on this one have been few and much between over the previous few years. Now, taking to Threads to answer some hypothesis concerning the undertaking, Gunn cleared the air and defined why this one fell by the wayside. Here is what he needed to say about it:

“I’d have by no means had time to do that and though I do know this can be a widespread concept on-line I by no means had an intention of writing or directing ‘The Authority.’ The script wasn’t fairly there however extra importantly it did not work when it comes to the bigger DCU each when it comes to the story and sensible issues. Perhaps some day. Not quickly.”

What’s attention-grabbing is that “The Authority” was Gunn’s ardour undertaking within the new DC Universe, but it is nonetheless being put aside for some time, if not completely. All the identical, because the co-head of DC Studios, Gunn must be keen to amend the plan as issues proceed to evolve. Between the script not completely coming collectively and shifting plans, this film not made sense.

James Gunn has touched on how the DC Universe plans have shifted after the preliminary announcement. The primary chapter of the brand new DCU was dubbed “Gods and Monsters,” with “Superman” serving as the primary true cinematic constructing block. Although the animated “Creature Commandos” was technically the primary official undertaking within the universe, for almost all of individuals, David Corenswet’s debut because the Man of Metal represented the true altering of the guard.

Different components of the unique plan, comparable to James Mangold’s “Swamp Factor” film and the “Waller” TV present, have additionally seemingly taken a again seat, even when they are not outright canceled. In the meantime, stuff like a brand new “Surprise Girl” film, which obtained a author after the discharge of “Superman,” particularly Ana Nogueira, has begun to take form. Nogueira wrote “Supergirl,” which is because of hit theaters in June as the subsequent main piece of the puzzle. 

There’s additionally the beforehand talked about “Clayface,” which just lately dropped its first trailer and definitely wasn’t a part of the unique plan. Gunn has begun filming his “Superman” sequel, “Man of Tomorrow,” and has even shared a set photograph just lately. To not sound like a damaged report, however that too was not a part of the unique announcement. 

That is to say nothing of “The Courageous and the Daring,” which stays in growth and can introduce the DCU’s new Batman. In some unspecified time in the future, different motion pictures should be taken off the schedule to make room for what’s coming. The DCU wants Surprise Girl. It wants Batman. “The Authority” was an attention-grabbing prospect, nevertheless it’s simple to see how that is likely to be decrease on the precedence checklist for Warner Bros. and DC Studios proper now.

“Supergirl” hits theaters on June 26, 2026.