DC's upcoming film adaptation of The Authority faces production hurdles, according to DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn. Initially announced as a key component of Chapter 1: Gods and Monsters, the reboot of the DC Universe, the project has been placed "on the back burner."
Gunn cited several challenges during a DC Studios presentation, highlighting the difficulty in developing the notoriously violent superhero team from the WildStorm Universe in a cinematic landscape already saturated with similar titles, such as Amazon's The Boys. He explained that the shifting narrative and the need to create a distinct identity amidst existing properties influenced by The Authority have contributed to the delays. Furthermore, ongoing projects featuring beloved characters and the desire to integrate their storylines have complicated the production timeline.
"Honestly, Authority's been the one that's been the hardest," Gunn admitted, "both because of the shifting overall story and because of getting it right in a world with The Boys and a world with all the things that The Authority influenced that came out after it."
DC Universe: Upcoming Films and Television Series
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It's worth noting that Angela Spica, aka The Engineer – arguably the most powerful member of The Authority, possessing abilities such as self-duplication and technopathy – is slated to appear in the upcoming Superman: Legacy. For a deeper dive into The Authority characters, consult IGN's detailed explanation.
Other Chapter 1 projects have also encountered setbacks. Waller, a spin-off of Peacemaker, has experienced delays, while Booster Gold is progressing smoothly. Paradise Lost remains a priority, with the pilot script currently in development. The Swamp Thing project, helmed by James Mangold, is on hold pending Mangold's other commitments, but its absence isn't considered detrimental to the overarching narrative.
