DC Crime: Jimmy Olsen's True-Crime Spin-Off Series is Officially Happening!

Get ready for a super-powered dose of true-crime parody! Skyler Gisondo's fan-favorite Jimmy Olsen from James Gunn's hit Superman movie is officially getting his own HBO Max spin-off, and it's taking a hilariously unexpected turn into the world of mockumentary journalism.

TL;DR: The Essentials You Need to Know

• Skyler Gisondo will reprise his role as Jimmy Olsen, hosting a new HBO Max series titled DC Crime.
• The show will be a fictional true-crime docuseries, helmed by Dan Perrault and Tony Yacenda, the acclaimed creators of American Vandal.
• The first season is set to spotlight the super-intelligent ape villain, Gorilla Grodd, with other Daily Planet reporters investigating super-powered cases.

From Metropolis Photographer to True-Crime Host: Jimmy Olsen's Surprising New Role

Imagine tuning into a gripping true-crime documentary, only to find the earnest, slightly flustered face of Jimmy Olsen staring back at you, ready to unpack the latest super-powered villain's exploits. That's precisely the premise for Dc Crime, the highly anticipated Superman spin-off TV series that's now officially moving forward. This isn't just a simple detective show; it's a fictional true-crime docuseries set within the sprawling DC Universe, and it promises a fresh, humorous perspective on the world of heroes and villains.

Following the massive success of James Gunn's Superman film, which hit theaters in July 2025 and is reportedly on track to earn a staggering $150 million in profit for the studio (Source: Dark Horizons, "Superman Film Has So Far Made $100 Million in Profit," November 10, 2025), speculation about spin-offs has been rampant. While characters like Mister Terrific were also considered, it's the Daily Planet's intrepid photographer, Jimmy Olsen, who has clinched the first series. Skyler Gisondo, who brought a charming blend of comic relief and surprising plot significance to the role in the film, is set to reprise his part as host.

A Deep Dive into the Creative Minds Behind This Unique DCU Vision

The choice of creative talent for DC Crime speaks volumes about the show's intended tone. Dan Perrault and Tony Yacenda, the brilliant minds behind Netflix's Peabody Award-winning mockumentary sensation American Vandal, are stepping in as writers, executive producers, and showrunners. Their previous work, including the eSports mockumentary Players for Paramount+, demonstrates a knack for meticulously crafting believable parodies that expertly blend humor with genuine storytelling.

If you've seen American Vandal, you know their style. It took the tropes of serious true-crime documentaries and applied them to utterly absurd, high-school mysteries, like who drew phallic images on cars or who poisoned a school's lunch. Applying this meticulous, often deadpan, mockumentary style to the larger-than-life villains of the DC Universe is a stroke of genius, promising a series that will be both hilarious and surprisingly insightful about the bizarre world these characters inhabit. James Gunn and Peter Safran, co-chiefs of DC Studios, will also serve as executive producers, with Galen Vaisman overseeing the project for DC. (Source: The Hollywood Reporter, "Superman Spin-off TV Show Moves Forward, New Details Announced," November 10, 2025).

This creative pairing signals a clear intention to move beyond traditional superhero narratives, embracing a fresh and perhaps more grounded (albeit still fantastical) take on the DCU. By focusing on the "true-crime" aspect, Perrault and Yacenda can explore the impact of super-powered individuals on the ordinary citizens of the DC world, viewed through the lens of curious, investigative journalists.

Gorilla Grodd Takes Center Stage as the First Season's Antagonist

The first season of DC Crime already has its target: none other than Gorilla Grodd. For those unfamiliar with DC Comics, Grodd isn't just any villain; he's a super-intelligent evil ape who hails from the secret African city of Gorilla City. Gifted with incredible psychic powers, super strength, and speed, Grodd has long been a key antagonist for The Flash in the comics, making his debut in The Flash #106 in May 1959, created by writer John Broome and artist Carmine Infantino (Source: IGN, "DC Crime TV Series in Development Starring Skyler Gisondo's Jimmy Olsen," November 10, 2025).

Grodd's inclusion immediately raises intriguing questions. How will a true-crime docuseries format tackle a psychic gorilla leading an advanced hidden city? Will we see mock interviews with "experts" on primate psychology or "witnesses" from Gorilla City? It's a goldmine for parody, contrasting the serious investigative tone with the inherently outlandish nature of the subject matter. While Grodd has been featured in various animated series and even made live-action appearances in The CW's "Arrowverse" shows like The Flash, this will be his first time as the central focus of a DCU-canon television series, following a non-speaking cameo in Gunn's animated Creature Commandos.

"Gisondo fulfills the traditional comic-relief duties of Superman’s pal, while also factoring into the plot in an unexpected and satisfying way as he gets in over his head with one of his sources."

— Tom Jorgensen, IGN, on Skyler Gisondo's Jimmy Olsen in Superman

The Daily Planet's Newsroom: Where the Real Story Unfolds

The concept centers on Jimmy Olsen and other Daily Planet reporters tackling cases involving super-powered villains. Importantly, David Corenswet's Clark Kent and Rachel Brosnahan's Lois Lane are not currently expected to feature prominently, likely busy with their own larger-than-life adventures, including the upcoming Man of Tomorrow film in 2027. This absence actually opens up exciting possibilities.

By putting the focus squarely on the supporting cast, DC Crime can explore the human-level impact of the DC Universe without being overshadowed by its most iconic heroes. This allows other talents, like Beck Bennett as Steve Lombard, Mikaela Hoover as Cat Grant, Christopher McDonald as Ron Troupe, and potentially Wendell Pierce as editor Perry White, to step into the spotlight and contribute to the investigative chaos. It highlights that even without the caped crusaders, the DC world is full of compelling, bizarre stories waiting to be uncovered by dedicated journalists.

Addressing the Unseen: The Flash and the Boundaries of Mockumentary

One immediate counterpoint that springs to mind with Grodd leading the charge is the conspicuous absence of his primary adversary: The Flash. The articles confirm that Grodd is "a key antagonist for The Flash," yet there's no official word on how the DCU plans to introduce the Scarlet Speedster, or even which iteration (Barry Allen, Wally West, Jay Garrick) will take the mantle. It presents a fascinating challenge for DC Crime: how do you tell a "true crime" story about a major Flash villain without ever acknowledging the hero he’s most known for fighting?

The show could potentially navigate this by framing Grodd's crimes as unresolved mysteries or cold cases from a time before The Flash's public debut, or by focusing on peripheral aspects of his operations that don't directly involve the hero. Another limitation to consider is how such a humorous, mockumentary style will integrate with the broader, more serious tone of the DCU. While James Gunn has a penchant for injecting humor into his superhero projects, a full-blown parody series might initially feel like a tonal outlier. However, the strength of the American Vandal creators lies in their ability to ground even the most absurd premises in a sense of genuine inquiry, allowing the humor to arise naturally from the situation rather than undermining the narrative.

For example, imagine a scene where Jimmy Olsen interviews a bewildered Metropolis citizen about a string of bizarre banana-related thefts, with the "witness" earnestly describing a "very smart monkey wearing a crown." The show could expertly balance the comedic absurdity with the very real, if unusual, impact of Grodd's villainy, maintaining respect for the DC lore while still having fun with it. This balance is key to ensuring DC Crime feels like a valuable addition to the DCU, rather than just an isolated comedic experiment.

The Expanding DCU Television Landscape

DC Crime is just one piece of a rapidly expanding DCU television slate. It joins other intriguing projects like the drama series Lanterns, starring Kyle Chandler and Aaron Pierre as Green Lanterns Hal Jordan and John Stewart, which is expected to premiere in early 2026. There's also a V for Vendetta TV series reportedly in the works. These varied projects demonstrate DC Studios' commitment to building a diverse and interconnected universe across both film and television, exploring different genres and tones.

This strategic approach allows the DCU to cultivate a broad appeal, offering something for every type of fan. From the epic scale of the main Superman films to the investigative humor of DC Crime and the sci-fi grandeur of Lanterns, the new DCU is clearly aiming for depth and variety. This Jimmy Olsen series, in particular, showcases a willingness to experiment with format and perspective, leveraging fan-favorite characters in novel ways.

Practical Takeaways for Aspiring DCU Viewers

• Expect the Unexpected: This isn't your average superhero show. Prepare for a unique blend of investigative journalism and comedic parody, all wrapped up in a DC Comics package.
• Discover the DCU's Quirks: By focusing on a "Flash villain" through Jimmy Olsen's lens, the series is poised to delve into the more eccentric corners of the DC universe, offering fresh perspectives on familiar characters.
• Meet the Daily Planet Crew: With Clark and Lois likely sidelined, get ready to spend quality time with the other dedicated (and perhaps overwhelmed) reporters of the Daily Planet as they chase down truly wild stories.
• Anticipate a Later Release: While exciting, details like a premiere date are still under wraps. Keep an eye on HBO Max and DC Studios' official channels for updates.
• Familiar Yet Fresh: If you loved Skyler Gisondo's charm in Superman and appreciate the clever humor of American Vandal, this show is likely to be right up your alley.

FAQ: Your Quick Questions Answered When will DC Crime be released? A premiere date for DC Crime has not yet been announced. Stay tuned for official updates from DC Studios and HBO Max! Where can I watch DC Crime? The series is being developed for HBO Max, so it will be available to stream exclusively on that platform. Who is starring in DC Crime? Skyler Gisondo will reprise his role as Jimmy Olsen from the 2025 Superman film. While other Daily Planet reporters are expected, David Corenswet's Clark Kent and Rachel Brosnahan's Lois Lane are not currently slated to appear. What kind of show is DC Crime? It's described as a fictional true-crime docuseries, adopting a mockumentary style similar to American Vandal, focusing on investigations into super-powered villains within the DC Universe. Sources

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