James Gunn's interconnected DCU is about to get even wilder. According to a new report, a rumored DC Studios series for HBO Max is where the Superman director plans to introduce Gorilla Grodd.
Following Superman's release, reports claimed James Gunn is planning several spin-offs for the streaming platform. While details are currently under wraps, industry scooper Jeff Sneider claims the expected HBO Max series featuring Skyler Gisondo's Jimmy Olsen is where supervillain Gorilla Grodd will make his DCU debut.
This report comes on the heels of James Gunn confirming (via Entertainment Weekly) that Lex Luthor's smart monkeys in Superman is not an origin story for Gorilla Grodd. Instead, Gunn assured fans that he has "other plans for that guy:"
"No, no, no. Because I know exactly what that is. I love Gorilla Grodd, so got other plans for that guy. He's not a monkey, he's an ape!"
Gorilla Grodd first appeared in The Flash #106 in 1959 and is an evil genius who gained his mental powers after being exposed to a meteorite's radiation. While mainly an antagonist for the Scarlet Speedster, he's also crossed paths with Batman and Superman. Meanwhile, Skyler Gisondo's Jimmy Olsen fulfilled the role of the Daily Planet's photographer and is a close colleague of Clark (David Corenswet) and Lois (Rachel Brosnahan).
Jimmy Olsen Spin-off Could Be the DCU's Secret Weapon
While reports of a Jimmy Olsen spin-off series on HBO Max caught some Superman fans by surprise, the idea has huge storytelling potential for James Gunn's DCU. Since Gisondo's character isn't just a sidekick but also a serious photojournalist, a Jimmy Olsen series could allow for more Daily Planet action and for the DC Studios to expand this interconnected world in a way that a movie simply doesn't have time for.
Naturally, expanding the DCU means introducing fresh characters and comic book threats, and few are more compelling than fan-favorite Gorilla Grodd. The big question is whether this reported spin-off could help set the stage for future DC Studios projects. Considering Grodd’s long-standing rivalry with heroes like The Flash and Batman, it’s possible Jimmy Olsen’s investigative journey could uncover some intriguing connections or subtle hints about what's ahead in the DCU.
Furthermore, the Jimmy Olsen streaming series may truly be only the introduction of Gorilla Grodd, and James Gunn's tease of having "other plans" for the villain could include the big screen down the road.
