Skyler Gisondo’s Jimmy Olsen Rumored to Lead DCU Anthology Series Featuring Gorilla Grodd
The Daily Planet’s favorite photojournalist may be stepping out of Superman’s shadow and into the center of his own story. Following earlier reports that Mister Terrific and Jimmy Olsen spin-off series are in development out of James Gunn’s Superman, new intel suggests the Jimmy Olsen project may be far more ambitious—and pivotal—than fans initially imagined. According to multiple insiders, Skyler Gisondo, who has already been praised by early audiences for stealing scenes with his charm in Superman (now in theaters), is poised to headline an anthology-style series for the DCU.
Still unconfirmed by DC Studios or Warner Bros., the project is rumored to be an episodic, investigative series centered at the Daily Planet, where Jimmy Olsen either leads journalism-based cases on super-criminals or hosts a stylized in-universe true crime show. Think Forensic Files or The First 48—but set in Metropolis.
What makes this rumored series especially noteworthy is its scope. Long known as Superman’s plucky photographer friend, Olsen is reportedly reimagined as a boots-on-the-ground investigator chronicling metahuman threats, super-criminal conspiracies, and the ripple effects of heroism in a universe of gods and monsters, similar to the Jimmy Olsen portrayed in the animated series My Adventures with Superman. Each episode would potentially introduce new or lesser-known DC villains into the canon, providing a street-level lens through which fans can explore the DCU’s evolving landscape.
One such villain? According to respected entertainment scooper Jeff Sneider, Gorilla Grodd—the telepathic, hyper-intelligent ape and longtime Flash adversary—is “on the cards” to make a live-action debut within the series. Though Grodd made a brief cameo in 2024’s Creature Commandos, this would mark his first major appearance in the DCU under James Gunn and Peter Safran’s leadership. The inclusion of Grodd could be a strategic move, subtly laying groundwork for the Flash’s corner of the universe without rushing into a full feature film.
Sneider reports that the Olsen series will follow Jimmy as he investigates the whereabouts and activities of a horde of DC villains—possibly unraveling a wider, interconnected web of stories across the DCU. With Gunn having publicly stated that The Flash‘s introduction is currently paused (“We’re holding a beat on development”), a project like this could creatively fill the gap and expand the mythos from the ground up.
This series, alongside a rumored Mister Terrific spin-off starring Edi Gathegi, signals DC Studios’ deeper commitment to developing small-screen entries that expand the cinematic universe. It’s a bold move to lean into journalism, mystery, and noir-style storytelling—blending human curiosity with superhuman stakes.
Whether it materializes as a gripping newsroom thriller or a stylized investigative docu-series, the Jimmy Olsen project has the potential to give fans a new entry point into the DCU—anchored by a fan-favorite character, unexpected villains, and a tone all its own.
DC Studios has yet to officially comment on the project. But if the rumors prove true, Jimmy Olsen may not just be reporting the next big story—he is the story. And the DCU might never look the same again.
