The Creature Commandos animated series serves as a test run for James Gunn’s vision for the new DC Universe. The show, set to debut on HBO Max, follows a group of monsters turned black ops agents tasked with taking out their enemies by any means necessary. With its violent and sexual content, the series allows Gunn to push boundaries in animation while maintaining a family-friendly tone.
Gunn sees Creature Commandos as an opportunity to establish his creative philosophy for the DCU and showcase how he intends to build its storytelling landscape. The show’s success is crucial before Gunn’s feature film Superman premieres in 2025.
In an interview, Gunn revealed that he was approached by Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav to run DC Studios after the success of Peacemaker. The series features a voice cast including Frank Grillo, who reprises his role as Rick Flag Sr., and Frank Harbour, who is set to join the team in future seasons.
The production aimed for realism compared to recent DC animated shows like Harley Quinn. Gunn’s descriptions of action sequences were brought to life with vivid visuals and darker color palettes, giving the animation an Eastern European flair. Gunn even admitted that the animators might have gone too far at one point, but ultimately enjoyed the result.
Gunn was surprised by the decision to create an animated version of himself for the opening credits without being told beforehand. Despite initial embarrassment, he accepted the offer and praised the animation team’s work. With Creature Commandos premiering soon, fans can expect a fresh take on DC’s beloved monsters and characters.
Source: https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/james-gunn-creature-commandos-launches-new-dc-universe-1236235324