Three years ago, James Gunn took the helm of the DC Universe with the promise of a series of projects that would gradually arrive in theaters and on HBO Max. However, the recent decision to discard ‘The Authority’ has left many fans disappointed. In an exchange on Threads, Gunn revealed that, although the script was not yet fully ready, the main reason for sidelining the project was that it did not fit into the broader context of the DC Cinematic Universe, both narratively and practically.
When I have time
‘The Authority’, based on the comic series created by Warren Ellis and Bryan Hitch in 1999, has been considered a key but controversial work in the history of comics. With heroes that are often parodies of iconic figures, such as Apollo instead of Superman, its inclusion was meant to provoke reactions due to its violence and representation of LGBTQ+ characters, aspects that were questioned by DC at its release.
Gunn confirmed that he never intended to write or direct ‘The Authority’, arguing that he simply did not have the necessary time for it. Maybe someday, he commented, suggesting that the project might not be completely dead, although its development is not expected in the short term.
Despite the rejection of ‘The Authority’, the good news for fans of the DC Universe is that Gunn is moving forward with other projects in development, such as ‘Booster Gold’ and ‘Paradise Lost’. However, Gunn has faced criticism for repeating mistakes that characterized Marvel by announcing projects that were later canceled, raising questions about the approach he is taking with the future of the DC Universe.