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

DC's upcoming film adaptation of The Authority has reportedly been sidelined, according to DC Studios co-chief James Gunn. Initially announced as a major project within Chapter 1: Gods and Monsters, the reboot of the WildStorm Universe's notoriously violent superhero team has encountered unforeseen challenges.

Gunn cited the project's complexity and the success of Amazon's The Boys as contributing factors to its delay. He explained that adapting The Authority in a landscape already saturated with similar themes proved difficult, particularly given the evolving narrative of the DC Universe and the desire to integrate established characters and storylines. He confirmed the project is currently on the "back burner."

Image: DCU Movie and TV Show Lineup

It's worth noting that Angela Spica, aka The Engineer – arguably the team's most powerful member – is slated to appear in the upcoming Superman film. For a deeper dive into The Authority characters, see IGN's explanation.

Other Chapter 1 projects have also faced hurdles. Waller, a spin-off of Peacemaker, experienced setbacks, while Booster Gold is progressing smoothly. Paradise Lost remains a priority, with the pilot currently in development. Finally, Swamp Thing, directed by James Mangold, is on hold pending Mangold's other commitments, but its delay isn't considered critical to the overall DCU narrative.