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 placed on the back burner. This comes as a surprise, considering the project was announced two years ago as a key component of the DC Universe's Chapter 1: Gods and Monsters reboot. Gunn described The Authority, the brutally effective superhero team from the WildStorm Universe, as a "big movie" at the time. However, the project has apparently encountered significant hurdles.

Gunn cited several challenges during a DC Studios presentation, calling The Authority the "hardest" project to develop within Chapter 1: Gods and Monsters. He pointed to the success of Amazon's The Boys as a major contributing factor, stating that adapting The Authority in a landscape already shaped by similar, brutally violent superhero stories presented unique difficulties. He also mentioned the complexities of integrating The Authority with existing characters and storylines already in development. 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, arguably the team's most powerful member, possesses the ability to self-duplicate, is a technopath, and boasts genius-level intellect and radio-induced telepathy. 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: Gods and Monsters projects are progressing at different paces. Gunn mentioned that Waller, a spinoff of Peacemaker, has experienced setbacks, while Booster Gold is progressing well. Paradise Lost remains a priority, with the pilot currently in development.

Regarding Swamp Thing, DC Studios is prepared to wait for director James Mangold's availability. Safran explained that Mangold is currently focused on other projects, including a Star Wars film. However, Gunn clarified that Swamp Thing isn't crucial to the overarching narrative of Chapter 1: Gods and Monsters.

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