The Two ‘Superman’ Spin-Offs James Gunn Is Now Considering

Superman looks like it’s about to be a mega-hit, which WB and the DCU desperately need to kick off this new era. And already, we’re seeing such high praise for specific characters that it’s likely audiences may be open for spin-offs. And spin-offs they may get, according to James Gunn.

A lengthy Wall Street Journal article about Superman and the DCU says that James Gunn is considering two TV-based spin-offs in particular. One idea is focused on the reportedly scene-stealing Mr. Terrific, played by Edi Gathegi, the other about The Daily Planet’s Jimmy Olsen, played by Skyler Gisondo. Compared to Clark, Lois, Lex and Mr. Terrific, I haven’t heard all that much about Gisondo’s performance, but I’m sure it’s tough to break out in an ensemble cast this good.

James Gunn has a habit of pulling characters that many average moviegoers have never heard of and putting them in his films. The entire Guardians of the Galaxy were unknown to general audiences before he took the helm there, and his Suicide Squad featured characters like Polka-Dot Man and Ratcatcher 2. Peacemaker is an entire show based around what used to be the 300th or so most recognizable DC character.

Mister Terrific, in this case, is a certified super genius, and here’s how he’s described in the comics:

Michael Holt was a child prodigy who demonstrated advanced intelligence at a young age, comprehending the works of physicists Niels Bohr, Albert Einstein, Max Planck, and Richard Feynman. Before becoming a superhero, Holt possessed 14 Ph.Ds and was a self-made multi-millionaire and Olympic decathlete. Holt has been noted as the most intelligent member of the JSA and the third-smartest person in the world.

His powers revolve around a series of “T-spheres” that have almost unlimited technical and combat powers. In the movie, he’s a part of Maxwell Lord’s Justice Gang, a corporate team of superheroes. As far as I can tell, Mister Terrific has only appeared once in live-action so far, back in the CW’s Arrow, a variant called “Curtis Holt.” His other appearances are all in animated series.

And I mean, you know who Jimmy Olsen is.

There are no details about what these shows might entail, nor when they might come to fruition, if they ever do. The alleged schedule for the DCU is now two movies a year leading toward a big Justice League collaboration, no surprise there, but a large number of HBO Max TV shows, which will kick off with Lanterns soon. Others have been mentioned, but it’s unclear which may make it to production. Shows like The Penguin are, as of yet, not in the DCU, and other Reeves-based series may not be either, should they exist. We’ll see what comes of all this.

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