The DCU's The Authority film adaptation faces challenges, according to DC Studios co-chief James Gunn, who confirmed it's been sidelined.
Initially announced as a major component of Gunn and Peter Safran's Chapter 1: Gods and Monsters DC Universe reboot two years ago, The Authority, featuring the notoriously violent WildStorm Universe superhero team, has encountered significant hurdles. Gunn described the project as a "big movie," but its development has proven problematic.
During a DC Studios presentation, Gunn cited the project's complexity and the success of Amazon's The Boys as contributing factors to its delay. He stated that The Authority has been the most difficult Chapter 1 project to develop, due to evolving storylines and the need to differentiate it from similar properties that have emerged since its initial conception. The integration of already established characters and their ongoing storylines further complicates the process. As a result, the project is currently on the back burner.
DC Universe: Upcoming Films and Television Shows
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One Authority member, the technologically gifted Angela Spica (The Engineer), is slated to appear in the upcoming Superman: Legacy. The Engineer, renowned for her self-duplication abilities, technopathy, genius-level intellect, and radio-induced telepathy, is arguably the team's most powerful member. For more details, see IGN's article, "Who Are the Authority: The WildStorm DCU Characters Explained."
Other Chapter 1: Gods and Monsters projects have also faced setbacks. Gunn mentioned delays for Waller, a spin-off of Peacemaker, while Booster Gold is progressing well. Paradise Lost remains a priority, with the pilot script currently underway. Regarding Swamp Thing, DC Studios is prepared to wait for director James Mangold's availability, acknowledging that the project isn't crucial to the overarching narrative.