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

DC Studios co-chief James Gunn recently revealed that the highly anticipated The Authority film has been moved to the back burner. This comes as a surprise, considering its initial announcement as a major project within the Chapter 1: Gods and Monsters DC Universe reboot two years ago. The Authority, featuring the notoriously brutal superhero team from the WildStorm Universe, was initially described by Gunn as a "big movie." However, the project has encountered significant hurdles.

Gunn cited the project's complexity and the success of Amazon's The Boys as contributing factors to the delay. He explained that adapting The Authority in a landscape already shaped by similar, successful properties presented unique challenges. The shifting overall story arc and the desire to integrate already established characters from other filmed projects further complicated the process. As a result, the film is currently on hold.

One character from The Authority, the technologically gifted Angela Spica (The Engineer), is slated to appear in the upcoming Superman: Legacy. The Engineer, known for her self-duplication abilities, technopathy, genius-level intellect, and radio-induced telepathy, is arguably the team's most powerful member. For a deeper dive into The Authority characters, check out IGN's article, "Who Are the Authority: The WildStorm DCU Characters Explained."

While The Authority faces delays, other Chapter 1 projects have experienced varying degrees of progress. Gunn mentioned that Waller, a spin-off of Peacemaker, has encountered some setbacks. Conversely, Booster Gold is progressing well, and Paradise Lost remains a high priority, with its pilot script currently in development. Regarding Swamp Thing, DC Studios is patiently awaiting director James Mangold's availability, understanding that his commitment to other projects, including an upcoming Star Wars film, will necessitate a delay. However, Gunn clarified that Swamp Thing is not crucial to the overarching narrative of the DC Universe.

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