Gorilla Grodd on the set of The People v. Gorilla Grodd
“The People v. Gorilla Grodd”

James Gunn has clarified where DC Studios’ upcoming HBO Max series “The People v. Gorilla Grodd” falls within the DC Universe timeline, confirming that the Jimmy Olsen-led true-crime mockumentary is positioned overall after the events of “Man of Tomorrow.”

Gunn addressed the series’ chronology in a response on Threads after earlier comments from star Skyler Gisondo led to reports that the show could take place between the events of 2025’s “Superman” and the upcoming “Man of Tomorrow.” The DC Studios co-chairman and co-CEO explained that the mockumentary format allows the story to move through different periods of time, but its primary place in continuity comes later.

“Overall in continuity it’s after MoT,” Gunn wrote, adding that the series will not be released until after the film. His comments were reported by GamesRadar+.

The clarification establishes a direct chronological connection between the series and the next chapter of Superman’s story. “Man of Tomorrow,” written and directed by Gunn, is scheduled to arrive in theaters on July 9, 2027, meaning “The People v. Gorilla Grodd” will not debut before the Superman follow-up. HBO Max has not announced a premiere date for the series.

“The People v. Gorilla Grodd” stars Gisondo as Daily Planet reporter Jimmy Olsen and Jimmy Tatro as Gorilla Grodd. The eight-episode, half-hour comedy follows Olsen as he reopens one of Metropolis’ most notorious murder cases and investigates whether the superintelligent ape was wrongly convicted of killing his father, the King of Gorilla City.

Several members of the Daily Planet staff introduced in “Superman” are also returning, including Beck Bennett as Steve Lombard, Mikaela Hoover as Cat Grant and Wendell Pierce as Perry White. Mary Holland, Eduardo Franco, Arian Moayed, Andrew Leeds, Tim Baltz and series co-creator Dan Perrault are also among the cast.

The series comes from “American Vandal” creators Tony Yacenda and Perrault, who serve as writers, showrunners and executive producers. Yacenda is directing all eight episodes, with Gunn and Peter Safran also serving as executive producers for DC Studios and Warner Bros. Television.

Production is currently underway in Atlanta. Although Gunn’s clarification places the series after “Man of Tomorrow” overall, its true-crime structure is expected to incorporate material from different points in the DCU timeline as Olsen examines Grodd’s past and the circumstances surrounding the high-profile case.