I’m Concerned About This Disturbing DCU Trend

The New Trend in James Gunn’s DC Cinematic Universe

James Gunn’s DC Cinematic Universe (DCU) is experiencing a new trend that could have significant implications for the franchise. The DCU kicked off its journey in 2025 with three highly successful projects: Creature Commandos, Superman, and Peacemaker Season 2. These initial successes set high expectations for the future of the DCU, with upcoming projects like Supergirl and Clayface promising to bring fresh ideas and establish the DCU as a strong competitor to Marvel Studios.

However, recent updates on the DCU’s upcoming movies and series may raise concerns among superhero fans. Two of the three confirmed 2026 projects—Lanterns and Clayface—share a common trait that might not appeal to general audiences. This could potentially push away some fans who would otherwise support the franchise. As the DCU begins to take shape, there are growing worries that James Gunn’s vision might be working against itself with these upcoming projects.

The DCU Is Aiming for Mature Audiences

From what is currently known about the DCU’s upcoming slate, it seems that the franchise is targeting a more mature audience. Two of the three projects scheduled for 2026, Lanterns and Clayface, will carry an "R" rating. Supergirl is the only project this year that won’t be rated R, although it still deals with mature themes. This shift is quite different from most major superhero projects from both Marvel and DC, which typically have a PG-13 rating. While some fans might find this approach refreshing, it could also alienate a broader audience, focusing too much on a niche segment of the market.

Nathan Fillion, who stars as Guy Gardner in Lanterns, has revealed that the film will have a mature tone, with him dropping more F-bombs during filming than in his entire career combined. Clayface, set to premiere in September, will take a bolder approach with its R-rating, delving into grotesque body horror. The DCU’s first year was no different, with two of its three projects, Creature Commandos and Peacemaker, already carrying similar ratings. By the end of its second year, the DCU will have completed six projects, with more than half of them rated R.

This trend might be coincidental. Creature Commandos and Peacemaker were holdover projects that James Gunn was working on as part of the DCEU before the DCU began. Similarly, Clayface was in early development before Gunn took over DC Studios and was included in his new franchise because it excited him. With this in mind, most of the completely original DCU projects (those not previously in development before Gunn became head of DC Studios) have been rated PG-13.

Even with this context, it doesn’t change how audiences might perceive the DCU after so many R-rated projects in such a short time. James Gunn and his team at DC Studios made a great start with Superman, regaining public goodwill and reinvigorating interest in the franchise’s future. However, the potential risk of a slew of R-rated movies and TV shows jeopardizing this headstart is a growing concern.

Is the DCU Making a Mistake With So Many R-Rated Projects?

There is a worry that James Gunn and DC Studios may be leaning too heavily on R-rated projects instead of building on the family-friendly themes of Superman. While projects like Creature Commandos and Peacemaker are entertaining, they naturally limit their audience. Children and families make up a core segment of the superhero genre’s fanbase, but they often don’t engage with R-rated movies and shows in the same way they would with other projects. The DCU’s early slate threatens to alienate this segment of its potential audience, leaving DC to be seen as the “mature superhero company” when that may not be the reputation Gunn and his team are aiming for.

There is a precedent for R-rated superhero movies performing well. The Deadpool films were massive hits, with the latest earning over $1 billion at the box office. DC found similar success with 2019’s Joker, leading the company to lean more heavily into R-rated content in the following years. While there are definitely superhero fans who will show up for mature projects, DC may be focusing too heavily on this smaller segment when it should be trying to appeal to as wide a demographic as possible.

One major issue that is already emerging in the DCU is making projects R-rated when they don’t necessarily have to be. Peacemaker has crass and lewd content baked into its premise. Clayface is envisioned as a body horror film and therefore needs a mature rating. Other projects, like Lanterns, don’t have any concrete reason to be rated R, other than to allow their casts to drop F-bombs and to show more explicit violence. While this might excite adult fans of the superhero genre, it automatically alienates audiences who might have enjoyed the series if not for its R-rating.

As of now, it isn’t clear what other upcoming DCU projects will be rated R, but several of the announced movies and shows seem to be heading in that direction. The Wonder Woman prequel story, Paradise Lost, has been described as a Game of Thrones-esque series. It could therefore lean heavily into a TV-MA rating, just like its inspiration did. Swamp Thing and The Authority also seem destined for R-ratings given their subject matter and source material.

How DC Can Balance Its Mature and Family-Friendly Projects

Moving forward, the DCU must avoid focusing too heavily on projects aimed exclusively at mature audiences. One of the biggest factors in a franchise’s longevity is its ability to inspire a new generation of fans at a young age and let them grow up with the characters. Winning over older audiences is great, but the DCU can’t rely solely on them, especially at this crucial early point in its development when it absolutely needs to churn out consistent hits. To secure his franchise’s future, James Gunn needs to form a more balanced slate that includes a healthy amount of family-friendly content in addition to his more mature projects.

This can start by avoiding making a movie or streaming series R-rated when it doesn’t need to be. The main heroes of the DCU shouldn’t primarily appear in projects aimed specifically at older audiences. The upcoming Wonder Woman film, for example, has no business having anything above a PG-13 rating. The same goes for solo projects for any of DC’s other major heroes, including Aquaman, the Flash, and Cyborg. Even projects starring Batman, whose adventures tend to be dark and gritty, should avoid an R-rating. PG-13 Batman films have always proved adequate for the Dark Knight’s big-screen adventures so far.

James Gunn doesn’t need to avoid R-rated projects entirely. Peacemaker and Creature Commandos both prove that there is an eager audience for this type of content. At this point in the history of the superhero genre, the more adult themes of these shows may feel like a breath of fresh air compared to the more family-friendly content of the last several decades. So long as there is an adequate balance, Gunn can continue to make shows like Peacemaker and Creature Commandos, knowing that other projects will appear to wider audiences.

Otherwise, the DCU may become the grittier, more mature version of the MCU. This doesn’t appear to be what James Gunn is aiming for, especially with Superman. Moreover, this was the direction of the DCEU, which ultimately gave up the schtick about halfway through its run before collapsing entirely. A good cinematic universe has room for all kinds of stories aimed at different levels of audiences. Gunn and his team must avoid singling out one demographic too heavily in the early years of the DCU for the risk of alienating everyone else.

All DCU projects are currently streaming on HBO Max. Supergirl, Lanterns, and Clayface will all be released in 2026.