James Gunn explores two exciting spin-offs featuring lesser-known Superman characters

In the United States, the success of the recent Superman film directed by James Gunn has sparked interest in expanding the DC Universe with potential spin-offs. The film, featuring David Corenswet as Superman, has grossed $122 million domestically during its opening weekend, marking a strong start for the franchise. As part of this expansion, Gunn is contemplating two television spin-offs focusing on Mr. Terrific and Jimmy Olsen, characters who are part of the Superman storyline but have not been extensively explored in previous media. Mr. Terrific, played by Edi Gathegi in the film, is a character known for his super intelligence and contributions to the superhero team known as the Justice Gang. His portrayal in a live-action format is relatively new, as he has only appeared briefly in the CW's Arrow series. This spin-off aims to delve deeper into his character and contributions within the DCU. Meanwhile, Jimmy Olsen, portrayed by Skyler Gisondo, plays a significant role in the Daily Planet's operations. While less is known about Gisondo's performance compared to other ensemble members, there is potential for exploring his character’s dynamics with Superman and Lois Lane. The overall direction of the DC Universe under James Gunn is ambitious, aiming to not only produce films but also a series of HBO Max shows that will enrich the storyline and characters. The next major film following Superman will be Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, scheduled to premiere in June 2026. This movie will introduce a new generation of superheroes and provide more context for existing characters. While Gunn has not confirmed an immediate sequel to Superman, he has mentioned that fans will likely see the character in upcoming projects, indicating plans for continuity within the DC film universe. The mix of sequels and television spin-offs appears to be designed not just to build a diverse range of stories, but also to ensure that the audience remains engaged with multiple characters across different formats. With such a clear interest in lesser-known characters like Mr. Terrific and Jimmy Olsen, it suggests a shift in how superhero stories might be told in the future, focusing on depth and exploration rather than maintaining a singular focus on the leading heroes alone.