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 The Authority film adaptation faces setbacks, according to DC Studios co-chief James Gunn. Initially announced as a key project within Chapter 1: Gods and Monsters, the film, based on the notoriously violent WildStorm superhero team, has been placed "on the back burner."

Gunn cited several challenges during a DC Studios presentation, highlighting the difficulty in developing the project in a landscape already saturated with similar content, specifically mentioning Amazon's The Boys. He explained that the shifting narrative and the need to create a unique identity amidst existing, similar properties influenced the decision. Furthermore, the ongoing development of other DCU projects and the desire to maintain continuity with already established characters and storylines contributed to the delay.

It's worth noting that Angela Spica, aka The Engineer, a powerful member of The Authority, is slated to appear in the upcoming Superman: Legacy. For more on The Authority characters, see IGN's article, "Who Are the Authority: The WildStorm DCU Characters Explained."

Other Chapter 1: Gods and Monsters projects have also experienced delays. Waller, a spin-off of Peacemaker, has faced setbacks, while Booster Gold is progressing well. Paradise Lost remains a priority, with the pilot script currently in development. Finally, Swamp Thing, directed by James Mangold, is on hold pending Mangold's availability, though it's considered a standalone project not integral to the overarching DCU narrative.