James Gunn’s DC Universe is about to get even stranger.
Filming is underway on The People v. Gorilla Grodd, and the first photos and videos from the set reveal what may be the most bizarre installment in the new DCU yet.
The HBO Max series will follow Jimmy Olsen, with Skyler Gisondo reprising his role from last year’s Superman, as he hosts a true-crime documentary investigating whether Gorilla Grodd was wrongly convicted of murdering his father, the King of Gorilla City.
Skyler Gisondo as Jimmy Olsen in James Gunn’s Superman – Warner Bros. Discovery, DC Studios
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That premise was already unusual. Seeing it brought to life is something else entirely.
Several photos and videos from the Atlanta production have circulated online, showing Grodd walking around what appears to be Metropolis University.
Rather than relying entirely on CGI, the production appears to be using a practical gorilla suit. Grodd has been photographed wearing a sweater vest and slacks before later appearing in a graduation cap and gown.
But things get considerably stranger from there.
Gorilla Grodd Goes to College
One of the videos making the rounds online appears to show Grodd participating in an a cappella performance alongside a group of formally dressed singers.
Other footage seemingly depicts the super-intelligent gorilla serenading a woman during his college years.
A CGI Stand-In for Jimmy Tatro’s Grodd has been spotted on set of the Highly Anticipated True Crime Mockumentary Comedy Series, ‘THE PEOPLE v GORILLA GRODD’ pic.twitter.com/8pSdAhFH5X
— 𝗕𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗕𝘂𝘇𝘇 (@BoinkBuzz) September 9, 2026
Exactly how these scenes fit into the story remains unclear. They could be flashbacks, part of a montage, or footage supposedly uncovered by Olsen during his investigation.
Whatever the explanation, The People v. Gorilla Grodd certainly appears committed to its unusual premise.
James Gunn announced the series last month, describing it as the DCU’s “first foray into the true crime genre.”
Aside from reports that the show will take a lighter tone than Lanterns, there has been little indication of what viewers can expect regarding its content. The eight-episode comedy comes from American Vandal creators Tony Yacenda and Dan Perrault, with Jimmy Tatro portraying Grodd.
Kyle Chandler as Hal Jordan in Lanterns – HBO, DC Studios
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American Vandal was rated TV-MA on Netflix. While the absurd concept of a talking gorilla attending college may naturally attract younger viewers, the creative team’s previous work suggests that parents shouldn’t necessarily assume this will be a family-friendly production. The showrunners could certainly tone things down, but until HBO provides more information, its intended audience remains unclear.
The premise behind The People v. Gorilla Grodd is also surprisingly gruesome.
The story revolves around Grodd’s conviction for murdering and consuming the brain of his father. Olsen subsequently reopens the case to determine whether the infamous DC villain was actually responsible.
Who Exactly Is the DCU For?
The footage may ultimately make considerably more sense within the context of the finished series. However, it also highlights an increasingly apparent question surrounding Gunn’s DCU: Who exactly is this universe supposed to be for?
Superman was largely positioned as a colorful, family-friendly superhero adventure. Peacemaker, meanwhile, features graphic violence, sex, nudity, and profanity intended strictly for adults.
David Corenswet and John Cena in costume as Superman and Peacemaker in a selfie on the set of Peacemaker – X, @CultureCrave
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Supergirl took another dramatic turn, presenting audiences with a more cynical, deconstructed version of its title character. Lanterns then moved into a grim, politically charged prestige-drama format that sometimes seems worlds removed from the optimism of Superman.
Gorilla Grodd Singing to his Lover In The People Vs Gorilla Grodd
(📸@Tris10KnowsBall) pic.twitter.com/qMroSNjl4M— ATL DC (@AtlantaDCFans) September 9, 2026
Now the same supposedly interconnected universe is preparing to give audiences a true-crime parody about a telepathic gorilla accused of eating his father’s brain—with apparent flashbacks of that gorilla singing a cappella and graduating from college.
Variety or an Identity Crisis?
Individual DC projects certainly don’t need to look or sound identical. Different characters naturally lend themselves to different genres, and some tonal variety can keep a shared universe from becoming repetitive.
But there is a difference between variety and an identity crisis.
The increasingly dramatic swings between Gunn’s DCU projects make it difficult to determine what audiences should expect from the franchise as a whole. The shared continuity may connect these characters on paper, but tonally, they increasingly feel like they belong to entirely different universes.
And judging by the first footage from The People v. Gorilla Grodd, those differences are only becoming harder to ignore.
How do you feel about these Gorilla Grodd set photos? Sound off and let us know!
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