Every Canceled DCU Movie & Show (And What To Watch Instead)
A lot has changed for the DC Universe (DCU) since James Gunn, co-chairman and co-CEO of DC Studios, announced the slate for Chapter 1: Gods and Monsters in 2023. Certain projects, like Supergirl (2026) and Lanterns (2026), have premiered. Others, like Man of Tomorrow (2027) and the Jimmy Olsen-led (Skyler Gisondo) The People v. Gorilla Grodd, are coming soon. A lot more, though, have been canceled, shuffled, or stalled as they’ve developed over the last three years.
For example, circumstances have changed on the big screen for The Authority, and things are still moving (to some degree) for The Brave and the Bold and Swamp Thing. On the small screen, there have been more surprising shake-ups. The good news is that there are TV show and movie recommendations that can fill the void (at least a little bit) while DC fans wait for any more updates about the DCU’s slate. You can watch them on Disney+, Netflix, and more.
For those craving justice after The Authority got shelved.
The Authority film was highly anticipated for DC fans, especially because James Gunn announced the project as part of the DCU’s slate in 2023. By April 2026, Gunn confirmed that the adaptation had been shelved. That’s more optimistic than entirely canceled. He wrote on Threads, in part, “The script wasn’t quite there, but more importantly it didn’t work in terms of the larger DCU, both in terms of the story and practical concerns. Maybe some day. Not soon.”
That’s not entirely shocking since the team has a more cynical tone and a more violent approach to antagonists. However, that shift may have brought fans into the project, exploring a darker side of the DCU than, say, Superman (2025). Now that The Authority isn’t happening, at least in the near future, fans may be interested in The Punisher series. Some Spider-Man: Brand New Day (2026) fans are seeking it out after meeting Jon Bernthal’s Frank Castle on the big screen. The titular character’s approach to justice may be familiar to fans of DC’s Authority.
For mystery fans mourning Waller's cancellation.
It’s probably the most shocking that the Waller series, starring Viola Davis as Amanda Waller, isn’t moving forward. Even when the DCEU became the DCU and so much changed or fell away, Davis’ Waller stayed. However, per The Ankler, the series is no longer in active development. Perhaps there’s a chance for that to happen sometime in the future… maybe. If not, hopefully, Viola Davis will still appear as Amanda Waller throughout other DCU projects. It would be such a shame to lose her in this role.
Waller would’ve continued the DCU’s storyline, working between the first two seasons of Peacemaker (2022). The first of which revealed Amanda Waller’s secret experiments and operations. Waller would have followed the titular character and her task force. If fans are interested in watching Viola Davis lead a different team, perhaps one of law students, in multiple seasons, How to Get Away with Murder is the perfect TV show. It’s tonally dark, sharply written, and incredibly performed, and Davis leads the show for all six of its dramatic seasons.
For anyone upset they won't get a Themyscira-set series with Paradise Lost.
Again, Paradise Lost is another originally announced project that is no longer in active development for the DCU. This TV show would’ve taken DC fans to Themyscira before Diana became Wonder Woman. It would’ve been a prequel series, and according to Entertainment Weekly, “It could still see the light of day in the future.” I know my fingers are crossed because I think Paradise Lost would be such an exciting approach to Themyscira after Wonder Woman (2017).
In the meantime, I can’t suggest DC’s Titans enough. Yes, it’s a bit sprawling at times, and some characters don’t always get the attention and time they deserve. Even so, it’s an entertaining, often high-octane watch that pivots to some of DC’s less-explored characters. One of whom is Donna Tory/Wonder Girl (Conor Leslie), the adoptive daughter of Wonder Woman. It may not scratch the itch of a Themyscira prequel series, but it’s a different approach to the lore.
For anyone needing a Posion Ivy Fix.
The Ankler also reported that pitches for standalone projects for fan favorites like Poison Ivy and Catwoman have been turned down and/or aren’t moving forward. That’s unfortunate. It would be very cool to see these characters in the established DCU. Hopefully, there are still plans to get there one day, and if not in standalone projects, then incorporating the characters elsewhere. Regardless, there are other ways to watch these characters on the big and small screen.
For example, I first met Catwoman through Halle Berry’s Patience Philips in Catwoman (2004) before Anne Hathaway stepped into Selina Kyle’s boots in The Dark Knight Rises (2012). I also really love what Zoë Kravitz does with the character in The Batman (2022). None of which are part of the DCU (that we know of), but they offer different approaches to the same character. As for Poison Ivy, the best recommendation has to be the animated Harley Quinn series. The relationship between Poison Ivy (Lake Bell) and Harley (Kaley Cuoco) is everything. Beyond them, the entire ensemble is just excellent, and the voice acting is on another level.
For those still waiting on the Booster Gold series.
The Booster Gold series is another project from that original slate that is experiencing some delays. “My Booster Gold won’t be moving forward,” David Jenkins, the show’s initial writer, shared on Threads. He reposted Mahershala Ali’s statement about his version of Blade not moving forward with the MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe). The Ankler reports that the Booster Gold series is still in development, with searches continuing for a new writer.
The titular character is a time-traveling superhero who goes back in time and pretends to be a celebrity. If Booster Gold fans are looking for something that matches that energy, DC’s Legends of Tomorrow has seven seasons to enjoy. It’s less about one character and more about a team of dynamic heroes, antiheroes, and villains that work together and travel through time. It’s charming and hilarious and romantic, and one of the Arrowverse’s best TV shows. Some episodes may be a bit confusing, given the universe’s crossovers, but it’s still worth it.
For anyone wanting a new Swamp Thing series.
The DCU’s The Brave and the Bold and Swamp Thing are still in various stages of development. The former, about Bruce Wayne/Batman and his biological son Damien/Robin, makes Titans a great recommendation... again. The show doesn’t dive into that specific dynamic. However, it does explore the intricacies of the relationships between Bruce Wayne (Iain Glen), Dick Grayson/Nightwing (Brenton Thwaites), and Jason Todd/Robin/Red Hood (Curran Walters).
As for Swamp Thing, well, there’s already a show for that, and it’s good. Swamp Thing (2019) is a one-season series that completely captured my attention when it aired. It captures the tone through the script and setting. For me, at least, the chemistry and relationship between Alec (Andy Bean) and Abby (Crystal Reed) become the backbone and heart of Swamp Thing. It’s an underrated series, like a few of the others on this list, that DCU fans may enjoy while they wait to see how things develop.
