DC Studios is taking the superhero universe in a surprisingly unusual direction. James Gunn has officially revealed The People v. Gorilla Grodd, an eight-episode comedy series coming to HBO Max that will present the story as a fictional true-crime documentary. 

The series will bring back Skyler Gisondo as Jimmy Olsen, following his appearance in Superman, while Jimmy Tatro will voice and portray Gorilla Grodd. Rather than focusing on a traditional superhero adventure, the show will investigate a bizarre murder case involving one of DC’s most unusual villains.

Jimmy Olsen Investigates Gorilla Grodd

The premise is certainly different.

In the series, Gorilla Grodd is a super-intelligent ape from Gorilla City who has been convicted of murdering his father, King Grodd. Jimmy Olsen decides to reopen the case and investigate whether Grodd was actually wrongly convicted. 

That investigation forms the basis of the show’s mockumentary format, with interviews, evidence and investigative storytelling presented as though viewers are watching a genuine true-crime documentary.

The result is expected to be a mixture of DC mythology, comedy, mystery and documentary-style storytelling.

A Different Side of the DC Universe

The People v. Gorilla Grodd represents a significant departure from the traditional superhero format.

Instead of following Superman, Batman or another hero through a conventional action-driven storyline, the series focuses on a fictional criminal investigation surrounding one of DC’s most eccentric characters.

Gorilla Grodd is normally portrayed as a highly intelligent telepathic gorilla with ambitions of controlling humanity. The character first appeared in The Flash #106 in 1959 and has become one of The Flash’s most recognisable enemies. 

This new series, however, appears ready to explore the character from a much more comedic perspective.

The Superman Connection

The project also expands the world established by James Gunn’s Superman.

Gisondo will reprise his role as Jimmy Olsen, the young Daily Planet photographer and reporter. Several other Daily Planet characters from the film are also returning, including Beck Bennett as Steve Lombard, Mikaela Hoover as Cat Grant and Wendell Pierce as Perry White. 

The returning cast helps connect the new series to the wider DC universe while allowing it to develop a very different tone.

From the Creators of American Vandal

The show’s unusual documentary approach makes sense considering its creative team.

Tony Yacenda and Dan Perrault, the creators behind Netflix’s acclaimed true-crime parody American Vandal, are leading the project. Yacenda will direct the episodes, while both creators serve as writers, showrunners and executive producers. 

Their experience parodying the conventions of true-crime documentaries makes them a natural fit for a series built around the idea of investigating whether Gorilla Grodd was wrongly convicted.

Eight Episodes of DC’s First True-Crime Experiment

HBO Max has ordered eight half-hour episodes straight to series. James Gunn and Peter Safran will also executive produce alongside the creative team. 

Gunn has described the project as DC Studios’ first foray into the true-crime genre, making it one of the more unexpected additions to the developing DC television slate. 

There is currently no announced release date, so fans will have to wait for further details from HBO Max and DC Studios.

Could This Be DC’s Next Cult Hit?

The concept certainly stands apart from most superhero projects currently in development.

By treating a comic-book villain’s murder trial as the subject of a serious true-crime documentary, The People v. Gorilla Grodd has the opportunity to poke fun at both superhero storytelling and the increasingly popular true-crime television format.

The involvement of the American Vandal creators could make the series particularly appealing to viewers who enjoy mockumentaries and unconventional comedy.

For DC, it is another sign that the new universe isn’t afraid to experiment with different genres.

With Jimmy Olsen behind the camera and Gorilla Grodd at the centre of a murder investigation, The People v. Gorilla Grodd could be one of DC’s strangest — and potentially funniest — projects yet.