Chapter One: Crisis
| Chapter One: Crisis | |
|---|---|
 DC Studios logo, used since 2024 | |
| Based on | Characters from DC |
| Produced by | |
| Starring | See below |
Production company |
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| Distributed by | |
Release date | 2026–present |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Chapter One: Crisis is the first slate of content for the DC Cinematic Universe (DCCU) media franchise and shared universe created by DC Studios Freddie Goodwin and Marcus V. Lane. The chapter includes several American superhero films produced by DC Studios that are based on characters from DC Comics publications. Chapter One began with the film Superman: Legacy of Tomorrow, which was released in June 2026, and is scheduled to conclude with Justice League: Infinite, which is scheduled to be released in July 2032.
Following critical and commercial instability within the DCEU, Warner Bros. and its subsidiary properties underwent a creative restructuring beginning in late 2024. Freddie Goodwin was appointed to lead a new initiative to relaunch DC properties through a long-term, coherent cinematic strategy. Rather than serve as a reboot or continuation of prior DC films, the DCCU was developed as a clean-slate universe with new continuity, casting, and narrative direction. The studios development team opted to organize the franchise into chapters rather than phases, with each chapter focusing on a centralized thematic or narrative goal. The first chapter is titled Crisis.
The films of the chapter are Superman: Legacy of Tomorrow starring David Corenswet, The Brave and the Bold starring Luke Evans and Roman Griffin Davis, Wonder Woman: Gods of Dust starring Ana de Armas (both 2026), Green Lantern: Dominion stars Aldis Hodge and Callum Turner.
Development
Following the commercial underperformance and creative fragmentation of the DC Extended Universe (DCEU), Warner Bros. Discovery initiated a major reorganization of its DC film division in late 2024. The appointment of producer Freddie Goodwin as head of the newly rebranded DC Studios marked a shift toward a unified, long-term storytelling strategy inspired by narrative cohesion and thematic arcs. Goodwin, along with longtime collaborator Marcus V. Lane, developed a vision for a wholly new cinematic continuity, unbound by past DCEU canon. This vision became the DC Cinematic Universe (DCCU).
The new franchise structure eschewed the term “phases” (popularized by Marvel Studios) in favor of “chapters,” each centered on a thematic or narrative foundation. The first, titled Crisis, was devised as a gradual expansion of a grounded superhero world toward larger multiversal stakes, culminating in a Justice League formation and confrontation with cosmic-level threats. The chapter’s name alludes to DC Comics’ various “Crisis” crossover events, particularly Crisis on Infinite Earths, though it was not a direct adaptation.
Chapter One was unveiled on January 17, 2025, during a livestream event hosted by Goodwin and Lane, where they confirmed eight theatrical films and teased interconnected story arcs. Development was already underway on the first three titles by that point. The studio prioritized character-driven storytelling over spectacle, opting for auteur filmmakers and diverse screenwriting teams.
Early development milestones included:
- In September 2024, Cary Joji Fukunaga was hired to direct Superman: Legacy of Tomorrow, based on a script by Sara Hayes.
- By October 2024, Jennifer Kent and Emerald Fennell were attached to Wonder Woman: Gods of Dust, following discussions surrounding a darker mythological tone.
- In early January 2025, Mattson Tomlin signed on to write and direct The Brave and the Bold, with a pitch focused on generational conflict and the Bat-Family.
- That same month, Green Lantern: Dominion was retooled from a dormant HBO Max series concept and handed to Gareth Evans, with Joe Tracz hired to build a grounded, war-themed interstellar narrative.
- Aquaman: Secrets of the Deep entered development shortly after, with Karyn Kusama emphasizing an elemental horror tone rooted in ancient sea myths.
Goodwin’s creative team included comic book writers and lore experts, with Tom King and Christina Hodson serving as continuity overseers. Additional consultations were held with visual futurists, mythologists, and astrophysicists to help ground multiversal concepts introduced later in the chapter.
Casting began aggressively between March and September 2025, with the studio emphasizing long-term availability and multiversal flexibility. Key roles such as Superman (David Corenswet), Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan), and Batman (Luke Evans) were confirmed first, while newer characters like Damian Wayne, John Stewart, and Ereshkigal were kept under wraps until closer to their respective film releases.
All DCCU films in Chapter One were produced in-house by DC Studios with distribution through Warner Bros. Pictures. Filming spanned locations across North America, Europe, North Africa, and Oceania. Visual effects were primarily handled by Weta Digital, Framestore, and ILM, while scores were composed by a rotating roster including Benjamin Wallfisch, Tom Holkenborg, and Hildur Guðnadóttir.
By mid-2028, with the success of the first five films, DC Studios greenlit a sequel to Legacy of Tomorrow, titled Superman: Tomorrow’s End, and expanded development on multiversal lore culminating in the dual Justice League films. Alex Garland was confirmed to direct Justice League: Infinite by mid-2029, with production commencing before that of its predecessor to streamline post-production workflows.
The chapter was structured to follow an escalating trajectory: beginning with grounded heroes (Superman, Batman), expanding into mythological and cosmic narratives (Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, Aquaman), and culminating in multiverse-spanning ensemble stories (Justice League). Each film introduces key lore threads tied to the Phantom Zone, Lazarus tech, cosmic hierarchies, and the emergence of the Monitor—each of which converges in the chapter’s final entries.
Films
| Film | U.S. release date | Director | Screenwriter(s) | Producers | Status |
|---|
Superman: Legacy of Tomorrow (2026)
Clark Kent faces a world fearful of godlike beings as General Zod escapes the Phantom Zone, forcing him to confront his heritage and define his role as Earths protector.
Development on a standalone film based on the DC Comics character Superman began under Freddie Goodwin by September 2022 and was officially announced in March 2023. In June 2023, Corenswet was confirmed to have been cast as Clark Kent / Superman. At that time, it was also revealed that the film was being reworked to take place within a new shared continuity, separate from James Gunn’s DC Universe. Goodwin described the project as a darker, more mature interpretation of the character, intended to “open the door” to future installments within what was later named the DC Cinematic Universe (DCCU). Superman: Legacy of Tomorrow premiered on June 17, 2026, and was released in theatres on June 26.
Superman: Legacy of Tomorrow is set in 2022 with events from 1987 being depicted. The film is set to setup the events of The Brave and the Bold (2027).
The Brave and the Bold (2027)
Bruce Wayne emerges from isolation when his son Damian arrives in Gotham, just as Talia al Ghul leads a global uprising that forces Bruce to choose between his legacy as a warrior or a father.
Development of a new Batman film began following the announcement of the DCCU’s first slate, Chapter One: Crisis, in January 2025. Inspired by Grant Morrison’s comic run of the same name, the film was conceived as a father-son character piece set against a backdrop of escalating global metahuman conflict. Tomlin was confirmed as writer and director in February 2025. The Brave and the Bold marks the introduction of the Bat-Family into DCCU continuity and continues threads involving the Green Lantern Corps and The Authority introduced in prior films. The Brave and the Bold premiered in China on April 17, 2027, and released in the United States on April 24.
The Brave and the Bold is set a few months after the events of Superman: Legacy of Tomorrow and introduces further heroes into the DCCU.
Wonder Woman: Gods of Dust (2027)
Diana emerges from exile to confront ancient Mesopotamian gods threatening the mortal world, forging an uneasy alliance with Robin as the mythic past of the Amazons resurfaces.
Development of a new Wonder Woman film began following the announcement of the DCCU’s Chapter One: Crisis slate in January 2025. The project was officially greenlit in October 2025, with Jennifer Kent attached as director and Emerald Fennell as screenwriter. The film was envisioned as a mythological thriller exploring Diana’s origins and her place in the modern world, with an emphasis on spiritual horror and ancient mysticism. Wonder Woman: Gods of Dust premiered on August 19, 2027, and was released theatrically in the United States on August 26 as part of Chapter One: Crisis.
Green Lantern: Dominion (2028)
As a galactic war erupts over the Dominion Protocol, a fractured Green Lantern Corps must reunite to stop universal collapse, while Amanda Waller seizes the chance to expand Earth’s power in the cosmic order.
Initial development of a Green Lantern film began in 2010 but was halted following the critical and commercial failure of the 2011 film starring Ryan Reynolds. A reboot entered development as early as 2015, though it languished in development hell for several years. The project was revived under the leadership of producer Freddie Goodwin as part of the DCCU’s first chapter, Crisis. Green Lantern: Dominion was released in the United States on May 19, 2028, as the fourth entry in the DCCU’s Chapter One: Crisis.
Aquaman: Secrets of the Deep (2028)
Aquaman faces rising unrest in Atlantis and a lost civilizations return, as ancient sea myths spark a clash that threatens Earth’s elemental balance.
The film was officially announced in January 2025 as part of the DCCUs Chapter One: Crisis slate. Kusama was confirmed as director in mid-2026, with Kajganich joining as screenwriter shortly after. Principal photography began in 2027, with location shooting in Italy, Iceland, the UK, and Australia. Aquaman: Secrets of the Deep was released in the United States on November 10, 2028, as the fifth entry in the DCCUs Chapter One: Crisis.
Superman: Tomorrow’s End (2029)
Clark Kent confronts multiversal fractures and a warning from the Monitor, leading Superman to unite new heroes like the Flash and form the Justice League against a cosmic threat beyond the Phantom Zone.
A sequel to Superman: Legacy of Tomorrow was confirmed shortly after its critical and commercial success in 2026. In January 2027, it was reported that Cary Joji Fukunaga would return to direct, with Sara Hayes once again penning the screenplay. The project was developed as a continuation of the themes established in Legacy, while setting up events that would lead directly into the crossover film Justice League: Crisis of the Multiverse. Superman: Tomorrow’s End was released in the United States on May 16, 2029, as the sixth chapter of the DCCU’s Chapter One: Crisis slate.
Justice League: Crisis of the Multiverse (2031)
As parallel universes begin to collapse, the Justice League forms to battle a shadowy force manipulating the multiverse, facing deadly anomalies—and twisted versions of themselves—along the way.
Justice League: Crisis of the Multiverse was officially announced in January 2025 as part of the DCCU’s Chapter One: Crisis. Following the events of Superman: Tomorrow’s End, the film was conceived as the beginning of a major multiversal arc, culminating in Justice League: Infinite. In 2028, Christopher McQuarrie was hired to direct, marking his first foray into the superhero genre. The writing team included a mix of established DCCU scribes and new talent, with Jonathan Nolan and Christina Hodson spearheading the multiversal framework. Justice League: Crisis of the Multiverse was released in the United States on July 9, 2031, as the seventh entry in the DCCU and Chapter One: Crisis.
Recurring cast and characters
The following table lists the actors who have appeared in multiple films within Chapter One: Crisis, along with the characters they portray and the films in which they appear. All roles are part of the DC Cinematic Universe (DCCU) continuity established in 2026.
| Actor | Character | Films |
|---|---|---|
| David Corenswet | Clark Kent / Superman | Superman: Legacy of Tomorrow, Superman: Tomorrow’s End, Justice League: Crisis of the Multiverse, Justice League: Infinite |
| Rachel Brosnahan | Lois Lane | Superman: Legacy of Tomorrow, Superman: Tomorrow’s End, Justice League: Crisis of the Multiverse |
| Luke Evans | Bruce Wayne / Batman | The Brave and the Bold, Justice League: Crisis of the Multiverse, Justice League: Infinite |
| Roman Griffin Davis | Damian Wayne / Robin | The Brave and the Bold, Wonder Woman: Gods of Dust, Justice League: Crisis of the Multiverse |
| Ana de Armas | Diana Prince / Wonder Woman | Wonder Woman: Gods of Dust, Justice League: Crisis of the Multiverse, Justice League: Infinite |
| Aldis Hodge | John Stewart / Green Lantern | Green Lantern: Dominion, Justice League: Crisis of the Multiverse |
| Callum Turner | Hal Jordan / Green Lantern | Green Lantern: Dominion, Justice League: Crisis of the Multiverse |
| Jason Momoa | Arthur Curry / Aquaman | Aquaman: Secrets of the Deep, Justice League: Crisis of the Multiverse |
| Viola Davis | Amanda Waller | Green Lantern: Dominion, Justice League: Crisis of the Multiverse |
| Michelle Yeoh | K’lia Vex / Thara | Green Lantern: Dominion, Justice League: Infinite |
| Nicholas Hoult | Dr. Alexander Knox | Superman: Tomorrow’s End, Justice League: Crisis of the Multiverse |
| Giancarlo Esposito | The Monitor | Superman: Tomorrow’s End, Justice League: Crisis of the Multiverse, Justice League: Infinite |
| Mahershala Ali | The Anti-Monitor | Justice League: Crisis of the Multiverse, Justice League: Infinite |
Timeline
The internal chronology of Chapter One: Crisis begins in 1987, with the fall of Krypton. As depicted in Superman: Legacy of Tomorrow, Jor-El and Lara make the fateful decision to send their infant son, Kal-El, to Earth moments before their planet's destruction. This sets the foundation for the DCCU's Superman mythos and the eventual arrival of the Phantom Zone as a recurring element throughout the chapter.
Between 2009 and 2012, a young Bruce Wayne undergoes rigorous training with the League of Shadows, as referenced in The Brave and the Bold. These formative years shape his tactical genius, martial prowess, and eventual moral divergence from the League's more extreme ideologies. Though not seen directly, this period is pivotal in shaping Bruce’s worldview and strained relationship with Talia al Ghul, who remains loyal to her father's legacy.
The main events of Superman: Legacy of Tomorrow unfold in 2022, marking Kal-El’s emergence as Superman in the public eye. Clark Kent, now a reporter in Metropolis, reveals his true identity to the world after the unexpected escape of General Zod from the Phantom Zone. Their ensuing battle devastates parts of Earth and leaves humanity divided over Superman’s existence. Clark ultimately defeats Zod but at great personal and moral cost, cementing his role as Earth’s protector while sowing seeds of distrust among government forces.
In 2023, Damian Wayne severs ties with the League of Shadows, initiating a personal journey of rebellion and self-definition. His defection marks the beginning of events in The Brave and the Bold, as Talia seeks to reclaim her son while advancing her secretive “Lazarus Rising” initiative. These actions foreshadow the return of ancient technologies and philosophies that threaten global order.
By 2024, Bruce Wayne returns to Gotham City after a period of isolation. Reassuming the mantle of Batman, he confronts the unexpected arrival of Damian, who claims to be his biological son. Meanwhile, Talia escalates her plans for global upheaval, prompting Bruce to reconcile his role as both vigilante and father. Simultaneously, Diana Prince—Wonder Woman—emerges from her self-imposed exile upon sensing a rising mystical disturbance. The old gods of Mesopotamia stir beneath the surface of the mortal world.
The events of Wonder Woman: Gods of Dust take place primarily in 2025, as Diana teams up with Damian to investigate a series of supernatural incursions in ancient Mesopotamian ruins. Together, they uncover the awakening of Ereshkigal, goddess of the underworld, whose resurgence threatens to merge the realms of life and death. Diana’s past, Damian’s lineage, and the mythic roots of the Amazons intertwine in a high-stakes confrontation that reshapes both heroes.
Between 2026 and 2027, the galactic stage comes into focus. Green Lantern: Dominion reveals growing fractures within the Green Lantern Corps as a war erupts over control of the Dominion Protocol—a powerful, ancient directive capable of restructuring interstellar law. Amanda Waller exploits the chaos to advance Earth’s position in the cosmic hierarchy, sending human agents to challenge Lantern dominance. Meanwhile, in Aquaman: Secrets of the Deep, unrest spreads across Atlantis following the emergence of a lost aquatic civilization. As elemental forces begin to destabilize, Aquaman must forge uneasy alliances to prevent a cataclysm that could ripple across the globe.
In 2028 and 2029, Superman: Tomorrow’s End introduces Clark Kent to the Monitor, a cryptic being who warns of a looming multiversal fracture. Clark experiences temporal dissonance and encounters distorted versions of past and future events. As timelines begin to blur, Superman rallies new heroes—most notably the Flash and Green Lanterns Hal Jordan and John Stewart—to uncover the root of the anomaly. These efforts lay the groundwork for a new team of defenders, soon to be known as the Justice League.
By 2030 and 2031, the multiverse begins to collapse. The events of Justice League: Crisis of the Multiverse see alternate realities bleeding into each other, triggering destructive anomalies and paradoxes. A malevolent force manipulates these collapses from the shadows, forcing heroes from across Earth—and beyond—to unite. Bruce Wayne, Diana Prince, Arthur Curry, and others join Clark Kent in assembling the League, confronting twisted versions of themselves and uncovering the origins of the convergence.
Finally, in 2031 and 2032, the universe approaches the brink. Justice League: Infinite will chronicle the final battle for existence, as converging timelines and existential forces threaten to unravel all of creation. With the help of cosmic allies and hard-earned unity, the Justice League faces their greatest trial—a confrontation with fate itself.
Reception
Chapter One: Crisis has received critical and commercial acclaim for its thematic consistency, character depth, and long-form narrative planning. As of 2032, the first seven films have collectively grossed over $6.4 billion worldwide, with several entries breaking franchise records:
- Superman: Legacy of Tomorrow (2026) opened to $168 million domestically and grossed over $892 million worldwide. Critics praised its mature tone and Corenswet’s performance. It was nominated for four Saturn Awards, winning Best Superhero Film.
- The Brave and the Bold (2027) received strong reviews for its action, emotional weight, and introduction of Damian Wayne. Its Chinese release saw significant growth in international revenue, contributing to a $965 million global total.
- Wonder Woman: Gods of Dust (2027) was hailed as a genre-blending standout, noted for Kent’s direction and Armas’s performance. It grossed $850 million and won Best Visual Effects at the Critics Choice Super Awards.
- Green Lantern: Dominion (2028) revived the franchise’s galactic scope and was commended for its choreography and character complexity. Its box office exceeded expectations at $918 million globally.
- Aquaman: Secrets of the Deep (2028) combined mythic horror with geopolitical drama, earning $882 million worldwide and critical praise for its visual ambition.
- Superman: Tomorrow’s End (2029) surpassed its predecessor with $1.05 billion worldwide, becoming the highest-grossing DCCU entry to date. It was celebrated for integrating legacy and new characters while setting up the Justice League arc.
- Justice League: Crisis of the Multiverse (2031) was a major crossover success, grossing $1.18 billion globally and receiving acclaim for its high-concept execution, emotional stakes, and ensemble cast performances.
Audience and critical sentiment has remained high throughout the chapter, with particular praise for the DCCU’s balance of standalone storytelling and overarching continuity. Many reviewers have compared the structure of Chapter One favorably to the early Infinity Saga of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but with a darker philosophical underpinning and more auteur-driven directorial choices.
Justice League: Infinite, scheduled for release in July 2032, is widely anticipated as the climax to the chapter, with promotional material teasing massive character payoffs and a “multiversal convergence event unlike any other.”