DCU Film The Authority 'On the Back Burner,' as James Gunn Points to Difficulty 'Getting It Right in a World With The Boys'

DC's upcoming film adaptation of The Authority faces production hurdles, according to DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn. Initially announced as a major project within Chapter 1: Gods and Monsters, the film has been placed "on the back burner."

Gunn cited several challenges, including the evolving narrative and the competitive landscape, particularly Amazon's successful The Boys series, which shares thematic similarities and arguably influenced the genre. He acknowledged the difficulty in crafting The Authority in a way that distinguishes it from its predecessors while incorporating already established characters from other DCU projects. The need to balance these factors has contributed to the project's delay.

While The Authority is currently sidelined, one of its members, the Engineer/Angela Spica, is slated to appear in the upcoming Superman film. This powerful character, known for her self-duplication abilities, technopathy, genius intellect, and radio-induced telepathy, will offer a glimpse into the team's potential. For a deeper dive into The Authority characters, see IGN's explainer.

Other Chapter 1 projects have also encountered setbacks. Waller, a spin-off of Peacemaker, experienced production delays. However, Booster Gold is progressing well, and Paradise Lost remains a high priority. The pilot script for Paradise Lost is currently under development.

Regarding Swamp Thing, DC Studios is prepared to wait for director James Mangold's availability, acknowledging that the project is not crucial to the overarching narrative. Mangold's commitment to other projects, including a Star Wars film, has impacted the timeline for Swamp Thing.