DC Studios has confirmed that three upcoming fan-favorite projects will not be part of James Gunn and Peter Safran’s DCU. Instead, they will exist in separate continuities, thereby giving creators greater storytelling freedom. Furthermore, this move clearly shows DC’s strong commitment to exploring multiple universes, ranging from big-screen blockbusters to engaging animated series.
The Batman Part 2 — An Elseworlds Continuation Outside the DCU
Status: In production, with a planned 2027 release.
The sequel to 2022’s The Batman will once again continue Matt Reeves’ gritty, noir-inspired vision of Gotham. Moreover, Robert Pattinson returns as the Dark Knight, facing new challenges in a standalone storyline that remains unconnected to the DCU. Although Gunn has occasionally floated the idea of future crossovers, Reeves’ universe will, for now, remain firmly in the Elseworlds category.
Meanwhile, Gunn’s The Brave and the Bold will introduce the DCU’s own Batman, this time alongside Damian Wayne as Robin. This means fans will soon have two distinct cinematic versions of Gotham’s protector.
Starfire Animated Series — Independent from the DCU Timeline
This upcoming animated series will prominently spotlight Starfire’s solo adventures, remaining completely free from the constraints of live-action continuity. In addition, under the leadership of Executive Producer Josie Campbell and Co-Executive Producer Brianne Drouhard, the show will thoroughly explore the characters’ origins, personal challenges, and thrilling cosmic escapades.
Without ties to the DCU timeline, Starfire’s series has the flexibility to experiment with tone, style, and storytelling, giving audiences fresh takes on the beloved Teen Titans member.
My Adventures with Green Lantern — A Shared Animated Universe, Not the DCU
Fans of My Adventures with Superman will be glad to know My Adventures with Green Lantern shares the same animated world but stays separate from Gunn’s live-action plans. It will feature heroes like Jessica Cruz, Kyle Rayner, Nikki Jones, Alex DeWitt, and Kilowog, with chances for animated crossovers.
This separation from the DCU ensures the creative team can explore deep character arcs without worrying about aligning with the mainline movie continuity.
Why DC Is Building Multiple Universes
By keeping these projects independent, DC Studios can maintain a cohesive live-action DCU and still explore alternate timelines and tones. The Elseworlds label, used for The Batman Part 2, allows directors like Matt Reeves to tell self-contained epics. Meanwhile, animated series like Starfire and My Adventures with Green Lantern carve out their own space for fans who enjoy varied interpretations of iconic heroes.
This strategy not only broadens DC’s storytelling scope but also ensures that different creative visions can coexist without compromise. With Superman, Justice League, and other cornerstone titles anchoring the DCU, fans can look forward to a rich variety of stories across different media.
Stay tuned for the latest updates on DCU’s upcoming projects, and subscribe to DC Updates’ YouTube channel.
Patrick Webb 
Sebastian Kind