DCU’s Project Canceled Highlights Script Standards in Gods and Monsters Chapter
James Gunn and Peter Safran’s newly restructured DC Universe (DCU) is already making headlines as DCU’s project canceled due to poor script quality, setting a new tone for the franchise. The universe officially kicks off with Superman, set to hit theaters on July 11, 2025. This launch begins Chapter 1: “Gods and Monsters“, which features:
- 11 feature films
- 6 television series
- Fresh takes on major characters like Superman, Supergirl, Clayface, and a brand-new Wonder Woman
With this interconnected narrative and strict creative standards, DC Studios is laying a quality-first foundation for its cinematic universe.
DCU’s Project Canceled: James Gunn Reveals in Interview
In a new Rolling Stone interview, James Gunn confirmed that DCU’s project canceled due to an unfinished screenplay — despite the project already being greenlit and supported.
Rolling Stone:
“And that’s one of the biggest rules you’ve made for DC — that they have to have finished scripts.“
James Gunn:
“Yeah. We just killed a project. Everybody wanted to make the movie. It was greenlit, ready to go. The screenplay wasn’t ready. And I couldn’t do a movie where the screenplay’s not good.”
Ultimately, this statement further reinforces Gunn’s insistence that script quality is non-negotiable in the new DCU. In other words, no project will move forward unless it meets the studio’s elevated storytelling standards.
Which DCU Project Was Canceled?
Gunn did not reveal the name of the canceled project. Nevertheless, he made it clear that some upcoming titles are definitely safe and moving forward. Specifically, his comments highlight a few projects that appear to be on solid ground.
Gunn:
“And we’ve been really lucky so far, because Supergirl’s script was so fucking good off the bat. And then Lanterns came in, and the script was so fucking good. Clayface, same thing. So fucking good.”
Based on this, it’s reasonable to conclude that Supergirl, Lanterns, and Clayface are not affected by the cancellation. In fact, their strong scripts suggest these projects remain on track within the DCU slate.
Most Likely Candidates for Cancellation
The Authority
Among the announced titles, The Authority stands out as a strong candidate for cancellation. While James Gunn once described it as a personal passion project, he also acknowledged that the script “has had a harder time coming along” and “hasn’t been much [of] a priority.” Taken together, these remarks suggest that development has likely stalled. Consequently, this makes The Authority a likely contender for the scrapped project.
Swamp Thing
Swamp Thing appears to remain in early development, with ongoing discussions between James Gunn and director James Mangold. In fact, Gunn noted that they “talk about it occasionally,” indicating that while the project is still active, it is progressing at a measured pace. As a result, given its current status and lack of urgency, it is unlikely to be the canceled film.
Sgt. Rock
Initially attached to Daniel Craig, the Sgt. Rock project has since undergone casting changes. Recently, reports have suggested Colin Farrell as the new lead. Furthermore, with production reportedly set to begin this summer in the U.K., the film appears to be moving forward as planned. Given this timeline, it is unlikely to be the canceled project.
Waller & Booster Gold
As television series developed for Max, both Waller and Booster Gold fall outside the scope of DC Studios’ current film-focused changes. In fact, these shows were conceived as part of the streaming slate rather than the theatrical lineup. Moreover, their format and platform positioning strongly suggest they remain unaffected by the recent project cancellation. Consequently, it’s reasonable to assume these shows are still moving forward as planned, with little to no disruption.
Unannounced Projects
Another possibility is that the canceled title belonged to a confidential project that DC Studios never officially announced. In fact, industry rumors have pointed to a potential Bane and Deathstroke film, reportedly in development by Moon Knight writer Matthew Orton. If that project did exist, DC Studios may have quietly shelved it behind the scenes to maintain their evolving creative direction.
What’s Next for DCU?
Despite the canceled project, the DCU slate remains full of upcoming releases:
- Superman — July 11, 2025
- Peacemaker Season 2 — August 21, 2025
- Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow — June 26, 2026
- Clayface — September 11, 2026
Each project has been praised for its script quality, aligning with Gunn’s goal of storytelling excellence.
A Bold But Necessary Move
With DCU’s project canceled, James Gunn made it clear: only projects with finished, high-quality scripts will move forward. While some fans may feel disappointed, the decision shows a long-term vision that values storytelling over content volume.
While it remains unclear which film was shelved, the message is clear — quality over quantity will define the DCU going forward.
Stay tuned for the latest updates on DCU’s upcoming projects, and subscribe to DC Updates’ YouTube channel.