A New Genre for the DCU
James Gunn and Peter Safran are officially taking the DC Universe into the world of true crime. HBO Max has greenlit 'The People v. Gorilla Grodd,' an eight-episode mockumentary series that explores a unique corner of the DC mythos through the lens of a investigative documentary.
The series follows Jimmy Olsen, the Daily Planet reporter introduced in Gunn’s 2025 'Superman' film, as he attempts to reopen a cold case. The subject of the investigation? The murder trial of Gorilla Grodd, the hyper-intelligent ape from Gorilla City accused of killing his father, the King.
A Familiar Creative Team
The project reunites the creative team behind 'American Vandal'—Tony Yacenda and Dan Perrault—who serve as showrunners and executive producers. Given their background in the mockumentary genre, the series aims to blend the absurdity of comic book characters with the grounded, investigative style of modern true-crime television.
- Skyler Gisondo as Jimmy Olsen
- Jimmy Tatro as Gorilla Grodd
- Beck Bennett as Steve Lombard
- Mikaela Hoover as Cat Grant
- Wendell Pierce as Perry White
Building a Connected Universe
The show serves as a direct expansion of the cinematic universe established in the 2025 'Superman' film. Beyond the main leads, the production has rounded out its cast with various actors appearing as iconic Daily Planet staffers, including Beck Bennett and Wendell Pierce. The show joins 'Lanterns' as part of the initial television slate pitched by Gunn and Safran to Warner Bros. Discovery.
Our first foray into the true crime genre. From the creators of American Vandal... it's something truly special.
— James Gunn