DC
Jimmy Tatro Reportedly Eyed to Play Gorilla Grodd in DC’s Jimmy Olsen Spinoff Series
DC Studios may have found its Gorilla Grodd.
According to a new report from Deadline, Jimmy Tatro is in talks to join the upcoming live-action Jimmy Olsen spinoff series for HBO Max, with the actor reportedly being eyed to portray the iconic DC Comics villain Gorilla Grodd. While the project has yet to receive an official series order, the casting rumor marks another intriguing step forward for one of the most unique entries planned for James Gunn and Peter Safran’s growing DC Universe.
The untitled series will see Skyler Gisondo reprise his role as Daily Planet photographer Jimmy Olsen following his debut in Superman. Rather than following a traditional superhero format, the show is reportedly being developed as a true-crime style mockumentary in which Jimmy investigates some of the DC Universe’s most notorious villains. The first season is expected to center on Gorilla Grodd, making the legendary telepathic ape the focus of the series.
For fans unfamiliar with the character, Gorilla Grodd is one of The Flash’s greatest enemies. A hyper-intelligent gorilla with immense psychic abilities, Grodd possesses telepathy, mind control, and superhuman strength. He’s long been one of DC’s most formidable villains, frequently attempting to dominate both humanity and the animal kingdom through his extraordinary mental powers.
Gorilla Grodd [credit: DC Comics]
Tatro has steadily built an impressive résumé over the past several years, earning praise for his comedic performances in projects like American Vandal, Home Economics, and more recently joining the cast of Scream 7. His mix of comedy and charisma could make him an interesting fit for a project that appears to lean heavily into satire while still expanding the larger DC Universe.
The series is being developed by Dan Perrault and Tony Yacenda, the creative duo behind American Vandal, who are attached as writers, executive producers, and showrunners. James Gunn and Peter Safran will also executive produce the project as part of DC Studios’ interconnected slate.
One noteworthy detail is that the reported working title, DC Crime, may not be the show’s final name. James Gunn has previously pushed back on reports that the series carries that title, suggesting the project is still evolving behind the scenes.
As of now, neither DC Studios nor HBO Max has officially confirmed Tatro’s casting, and the actor is reportedly only in talks for the role. Still, if the deal comes together, Gorilla Grodd could become one of the first major comic book villains to receive a season-long spotlight in the new DC Universe rather than serving as a one-off antagonist.
With Jimmy Olsen investigating some of DC’s strangest criminals and Gorilla Grodd leading the charge, the series already looks like one of the most unconventional projects on DC Studios’ upcoming slate.
John Cena may not be putting on the Peacemaker helmet again anytime soon, but the actor appears perfectly comfortable waiting for James Gunn to call his number.
During a recent appearance on the Happy Sad Confused podcast with Josh Horowitz, Cena opened up about his future as Christopher Smith following the second season of Peacemaker and where the character currently fits within Gunn and Peter Safran’s expanding DC Universe.
When asked whether he had worn the Peacemaker helmet since finishing the second season, Cena gave a straightforward answer: “No.”
That doesn’t mean Cena is walking away from the character. The actor made it clear that he remains committed to Gunn and is willing to return whenever the DC Studios co-CEO needs him.
Cena explained that he has already had an opportunity to play a character who was relatively unknown to mainstream audiences and believes it is now important for Gunn to devote his attention to some of DC’s biggest characters.
“I got to step back.”
Cena pointed to characters such as Superman as examples of the massive pieces Gunn is currently responsible for establishing within the new DCU.
Peacemaker [dc studios]
The comments come as Gunn continues building an interconnected universe across film and television. David Corenswet’s Superman has become one of the central figures of the franchise, while projects involving Batman, Wonder Woman and several other major DC characters remain in various stages of development.
Cena’s comments shouldn’t necessarily be interpreted as the end of Peacemaker.
The second season left Christopher Smith’s story open for continuation, and Gunn has previously avoided giving fans a definitive answer about exactly when Peacemaker or the other members of the 11th Street Kids will return.
For now, Cena appears content to wait.
After helping turn one of DC’s more obscure characters into a major live-action fan favorite, Peacemaker may simply be taking a temporary backseat while Gunn continues putting the larger pieces of the DCU into place.
DC Studios’ upcoming Deathstroke and Bane movie finally has a name, with the project currently being developed under the title Savage Hunters.
The title surfaced as part of an internal list of projects at Warner Bros. following the formation of the new Skydance structure. The film appears on the list as “Savage Hunters aka Deathstroke & Bane Movie (DC)” and is categorized as being in early development.
While Savage Hunters is now the name attached to the project, DC Studios has not formally announced it as the movie’s final theatrical title. With the film still in the early stages of development, the title could potentially change before production begins.
The project has been in development since 2024 and is expected to bring two of DC’s most formidable villains together on the big screen. Matthew Orton, whose credits include Moon Knight and Captain America: Brave New World, has been attached to write the screenplay.
[Warner Bros. Pictures]
The movie is one of several DC projects currently listed in early development alongside The Brave and the Bold, Teen Titans, Swamp Thing and the new Wonder Woman movie.
Bane was most famously portrayed by Tom Hardy in Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight Rises, while Joe Manganiello previously appeared as Deathstroke in the former DC Extended Universe. Neither actor is currently confirmed to be involved with Savage Hunters.
For now, Savage Hunters gives the long-developing Deathstroke and Bane project its clearest identity yet as DC continues building out its upcoming movie slate.
David Corenswet will be sporting a slightly different Superman suit when he returns as the Man of Steel in James Gunn’s Man of Tomorrow.
While speaking with PEOPLE, Corenswet revealed that some changes have been made to his Superman costume for the upcoming DC Studios film, with the updated design being built with action in mind.
“The suit itself is a little bit different,”
Corenswet said.
According to the actor, the changes aren’t simply cosmetic.
“They re-engineered it to be slightly more functional and ready for a fight.”
David Corenswet as Superman [Warner bros. pictures]
Corenswet also teased that the upcoming film will dig deeper into the dynamic between Superman and Lex. The actor said returning to work alongside Hoult and Rachel Brosnahan felt more relaxed after the trio established their characters and relationships in Superman.
Exactly what “ready for a fight” means for the new suit remains to be seen, but the comment could offer a small indication of what Superman will be facing in Man of Tomorrow. Rather than completely reinventing the costume, Corenswet’s description suggests the filmmakers have refined the existing design to give Superman greater functionality for the action ahead.
Gunn is once again writing and directing the film, which continues Superman’s story within the developing DC Universe.
Man of Tomorrow is currently scheduled to hit theaters on July 9, 2027.
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