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DC Productions are entering a more selective phase, according to HBO and HBO Max Chairman and CEO Casey Bloys, who said in a recent interview that only one DC Studios television series is currently in active development.

Speaking with Deadline, Bloys said The People v. Gorilla Grodd, a reported television spinoff connected to the DC universe, is the only series currently being actively developed.

Bloys emphasized that there is an important distinction between a project being discussed or reported as "in development" and a program that has actually received a green light.

"People read about development, and they assume that those are greenlit shows," Bloys said, according to Deadline. He added that development involves trying ideas and that not every proposed project ultimately moves forward.

The People v. Gorilla Grodd Moves Ahead

The People v. Gorilla Grodd is the one project Bloys specifically identified as moving forward. The series is described as a Superman-related spinoff centered on Gorilla Grodd, one of DC's established characters.

Bloys said he was pleased with the project and described its concept as something different for the DC television lineup. Production has reportedly begun.

The development is notable because DC Studios previously announced a much larger collection of television projects as part of James Gunn and Peter Safran's plans for a new interconnected DC Universe.

DC's official television catalog currently includes productions such as Lanterns, Peacemaker, Creature Commandos and The Penguin, demonstrating the range of television projects associated with the broader DC brand.

What Happened to Other DC Shows?

DC Studios initially announced several television projects in January 2023 as part of its first DC Universe slate. Among them were Waller, Lanterns, Paradise Lost, Booster Gold and animated projects.

The status of several of those projects has subsequently changed.

The original announcement from DC included Waller as a live-action HBO Max series and described Lanterns as a major component of the new shared universe. (DC)

The difference between announced projects and completed productions is significant. Bloys' comments indicate that fans should not necessarily interpret reports about development as confirmation that a series will eventually reach television.

DC Productions face a More Selective Future

Bloys' comments have also prompted questions about the future of Lanterns, the Green Lantern series starring Aaron Pierre as John Stewart and Kyle Chandler as Hal Jordan.

The series is part of DC Studios' expanding television universe and was originally presented as a major component of the franchise's long-term plans. DC's official website currently lists Lanterns among its television programming. (DC)

The uncertainty surrounding future seasons is separate from the show's existing production status. A reported writers room for a potential second season has generated speculation about where the story could go, but such work does not itself constitute a formal renewal.

That distinction is particularly important in light of Bloys' comments about the difference between development and a green light.

DC Studios Continues Its Movie Plans

The narrower television pipeline does not mean DC Studios has stopped expanding its broader universe.

The 2025 film Superman, directed by James Gunn and starring David Corenswet, served as the first feature film in the new DC Universe. DC describes the movie as the launch of its new shared cinematic universe. (DC)

The studio has also announced Superman: Man of Tomorrow, scheduled for July 9, 2027. (DC)

Other projects remain part of DC's broader slate, including Clayface and Supergirl.

The DC television and film strategies therefore continue to develop on separate tracks, even as the studio works toward an interconnected universe.

James Gunn and Peter Safran's DC Universe

Gunn and Peter Safran became co-heads of DC Studios in 2022 and were tasked with developing a coordinated strategy for DC films and television.

Their original 2023 announcement outlined a long-term plan that was intended to connect movies and television projects through a shared continuity.

The strategy has already produced several projects, including Creature Commandos, Peacemaker and Superman. DC's official television page provides a current listing of its television productions. (DC)

Bloys' comments suggest that the studio's approach is now focused on selecting a smaller number of projects rather than moving forward with every previously announced concept.

USA Herald Coverage by Jackie Allen

The USA Herald has covered DC Studios and its characters extensively through reporting by journalist Jackie Allen.

Allen reported on the appointment of Gunn and Safran in "HBO Max new co-CEOs of DC Studios are proven hitmakers." The article examined the pair's new responsibilities and their plans for the DC universe. (USA Herald)

Allen also covered the expansion of the new DC Universe in "Green Lantern Joins Superman: Legacy Cast in the Expansion of the DC Universe." The article discusses Nathan Fillion's casting as Guy Gardner/Green Lantern, along with the additions of Mister Terrific and Hawkgirl. (USA Herald)

Her earlier coverage includes "Comic Books: New version of Composite Superman appears in DC", which explored the history of the Batman-Superman character combination. (USA Herald)

Allen also reported on the record-setting sale of Action Comics No. 1 in "Superman Action Comics #1 sells for record-breaking $3.25 million.", providing background on the comic book that introduced Superman. (USA Herald)

A Smaller Television Pipeline

For DC fans, Bloys' comments provide a clearer picture of how the studio is approaching its television plans.

Rather than treating every reported project as an eventual series, HBO is emphasizing projects that receive formal approval. At present, The People v. Gorilla Grodd is the only television project Bloys identified as being in active development.

Meanwhile, Lanterns remains an existing part of DC's television universe, while the future of additional seasons and previously announced projects will depend on subsequent decisions by DC Studios and HBO.

For fans tracking the rapidly changing franchise, the distinction between a project being discussed, developed, greenlit and produced may be as important as the characters appearing in the next DC story.