James Gunn’s DCU has continued its efforts to surprise audiences with a refreshing new approach to its shows and movies. And its newest and most exciting treat is another series titled The People v. Gorilla Grodd, starring Skyler Gisondo. Announced after the hit series Lanterns, the show is part of the DCU and serves as a spin-off of the 2025 Superman movie.

However, as Gisondo revealed, the idea for this new HBO Max series, which is based on the world of Superman, was made long before the movie was released. And it appears that the idea may have originated even before James Gunn and Peter Safran took on their roles as the heads of DC Studios.

Skyler Gisondo recently appeared on Josh Horowitz’s Happy Sad Confused podcast to talk about his upcoming movie Primetime. During the conversation, the actor also asked about the new DCU series The People v. Gorilla Grodd. Gisondo revealed that the idea for the spin-off had been discussed long before the new DCU movies took shape.

"I guess like it was one of the first ideas early even before the movie," he said.

As Gisondo revealed in the podcast, James Gunn’s idea was reportedly to make the series in the style of a mockumentary. Previously, Gunn also shared that he and Peter Safran had pitched ideas for Lanterns and the new spin-off before officially taking the reins at DC Studios. The People v. Gorilla Grodd will be the DCU’s first mockumentary series.

The series will shine a spotlight on the photographer and reporter, Jimmy Olsen, as well as Gorilla Grodd. Gisondo, who learned about the project early on, revealed that he was excited about the idea. However, he tried to remain detached at the time since nothing had been officially confirmed. Now that the series has been finalized and officially announced, the story is set to expand on the world around Superman.

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Several familiar actors who appeared in the 2025 Superman movie are also expected to return and reprise their roles in the spin-off.

The People v. Gorilla Grodd will follow Superman’s good friend Jimmy Olsen as he hosts a true-crime docuseries alongside other Daily Planet reporters. Together, they will investigate whether Gorilla Grodd was wrongfully convicted. Skyler Gisondo, who played Jimmy Olsen in Superman, will return to reprise his role in the series. 

Beck Bennett will also return as Steve Lombard, while Mikaela Hoover will reprise her role as Cat Grant. Wendell Pierce, who portrayed Perry White in the movie, will also return for the series. Meanwhile, Dan Perrault and Tony Yacenda, the creators behind the Netflix mockumentary series American Vandal, will helm the show. This makes The People v. Gorilla Grodd a particularly refreshing turn for the DCU, especially considering that the idea for the series was being developed long before the new movies.

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What do you think about the new series, The People v. Gorilla Grodd? Let us know in the comments.