Let's rewind time to 2023. A new version of the DC Universe was upon us, and the first half of its slate had just been revealed. TV series like Waller and Paradise Lost were among the big headlines, alongside the theatrical film The Authority. Unfortunately, these three projects were ultimately axed, and movies like Superman and Supergirl have already come and gone, raising a lot of questions about the future.
A little over a year into the new DCU, we only have Clayface, Man of Tomorrow, and Booster Gold to look forward to. Even then, we don't know when the latter is set to hit TV screens. As such, the franchise's future is surrounded by a lot of uncertainty, making fans eager to discover which other projects will come our way. On the bright side, we finally have an answer.
DC officially orders a Jimmy Olsen & Gorilla Grodd spin-off series, titled The People v. Gorilla Grodd
As revealed by DC Studios co-CEO and co-chairman James Gunn, a spin-off series starring Jimmy Olsen and Gorilla Grodd is officially in the works. This will be the studio's "first foray into the true crime genre," as audiences will revisit "Metropolis' most infamous murder trial."
The eight-episode HBO Max series will unfold as a documentary directed by Jimmy Olsen, with actor Skyler Gisondo reprising the role after his debut in Superman. The Daily Planet reporter will be granted an exclusive interview with Gorilla Grodd inside Stryker's Island in order to get to the bottom of a crime the iconic DC supervillain was convicted of, but may not have actually committed.
The official synopsis for The People v. Gorilla Grodd reads:
"Gorilla Grodd has long claimed his innocence in the murder and brain consumption of his father, King Grodd—a crime he was convicted of in March 2021 and has remained incarcerated for ever since. The series will take an in-depth look at the investigation, featuring brand new reporting from members of the Daily Planet staff, as well as interviews with witnesses and experts on both Grodd's and the Metropolis District Attorney's side of the case, including Gorilla Grodd's new counsel at the Metropolis Freedom Project."
The show's documentary-like style could allow for the appearance of characters from the wider DC Universe. Case in point: Beck Bennett will return as Steve Lombard, Mikaela Hoover as Cat Grant, and Wendell Pierce as Perry White. Furthermore, Jimmy Tatro will portray the role of Gorilla Grodd.
During an interview with Deadline, The People v. Gorilla Grodd showrunners Tony Yacenda and Dan Perrault gave us a sneak peek of what to expect when the show hits TV screens:
"We're excited by the challenge of creating a series that feels less like an entry into the DCU and more like an artifact from it. A Daily Planet original documentary made for the people of Metropolis. We hope it'll appeal to fans of the comics, comedy, and true crime. And while we can't speak for audiences here yet, we already know it's a huge hit in Metropolis. They love this series."
Unfortunately, The People v. Gorilla Grodd doesn't have a release date just yet, but given that the series has just been picked up, it may take some time before it sees the light of day.
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