HBO is preparing to launch The People v. Gorilla Grodd, a new series directed by James Gunn that reimagines a classic DC villain through a true-crime lens. Following the events of the 2025 Superman film, the show will follow Daily Planet journalists investigating a high-profile murder case.
The Daily Planet's pivot from superhero sidekicks to investigative leads
James Gunn is increasingly moving toward genre-mashing, a trend seen in his previous work like Peacemaker. By focusnig on the Daily Planet newsroom—including characters like Perry White, Cat Grant, and Steve Lombard—the series moves away from the traditional "superhero showdown" trope to explore the journalistic side of the DC Universe.
This shift higlights a broader industry trend where studios use procedural storytelling to ground larger-than-life characters. As the report indicates,the series aims to honor the journalistic roots of the Superman mythos while simultaneously poking fun at the absurdity of a primate facing criminal charges.
Jimmy Tatro and the alleged murder of the King of Gorilla City
The central conflict of the series involves the alleged murder of the King of Gorilla City. According to the source, newcomer Jimmy Tatro will step into the role of the titular ape, Gorilla Grodd, providing both glimpses into his prison life and flashbacks to the events leading to his sentencing. Skyler Gisondo will reprise his role as Jimmy Olsen, serving as the eager reporter attempting to determine if Grodd's guilt was ever truly proven.
The absence of a trailer or release date for the DCU experiment
While the premise is bold, several critical details remain unverified. As the report notes, there is currently no official trailer or release date for the production. Furthermore, it remains unclear how this experimental mockumentary will fit into the broader rollout of Gunn's DC Universe, especially as many flagship heroes have yet to make their on-screen debuts.
A stylistic blend of She-Hulk satire and Invincible's graphic tone
The production of The People v. Gorilla Grodd is expected to utilize a mixture of live-action and stylized documentary footage . This visual approach is intended to bridge the gap between the satirical courtroom antics found in She-Hulk and the meta-humor and graphic punch of Invincible, offering a fresh perspective on a character traditionally confined to battlefield combat.
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