Hold the Front Page! Jimmy Olsen's DC Crime Series Investigates Gorilla Grodd on HBO Max

Hot off the heels of Superman's blockbuster success, the DC Universe (DCU) is expanding into delightfully unexpected territory. Get ready for a true-crime mockumentary hosted by none other than everyone's favorite Daily Planet photographer, Jimmy Olsen, as he tackles cases involving super-powered villains, kicking off with the formidable Gorilla Grodd!

TL;DR: The Scoop on DC Crime

• Skyler Gisondo will reprise his role as Jimmy Olsen from Superman to host a new HBO Max series, provisionally titled DC Crime.
• The show is conceived as a fictional "true crime" docuseries set within the DCU, with its first season diving into the mysterious world of the super-intelligent ape, Gorilla Grodd.
• Helmed by Dan Perrault and Tony Yacenda, the acclaimed creators of American Vandal, this series promises a unique, satirical yet sophisticated approach to metahuman mysteries.

When Super-Crimes Need a Human Touch: Enter Jimmy Olsen

Imagine a world where city-leveling battles and psychic gorilla masterminds are just part of the daily news cycle. What happens when a supervillain commits a crime so baffling, so outrageous, that even the Man of Steel might struggle to uncover the full truth? You call in a journalist. Specifically, you call in Jimmy Olsen, and that's exactly what DC Studios is doing with its newly announced HBO Max project, Dc Crime.

Skyler Gisondo, who charmed audiences as the lovable (and surprisingly self-assured) Daily Planet photographer in James Gunn's recent Superman film, is set to lead this unique series. Instead of capes and powers, DC Crime will offer a fresh, ground-level perspective on the DCU's extraordinary events, framed as a fictional true-crime docuseries. Think less Justice League, more investigative journalism, as Olsen, along with other Daily Planet staff members (excluding David Corenswet's Clark Kent and Rachel Brosnahan's Lois Lane), delves into cases involving super-powered foes.

The Creative Minds Behind This Unique DC Universe Spin-off

The vision for this intriguing series comes from a duo well-versed in the art of mockumentary: Dan Perrault and Tony Yacenda. These are the creative geniuses behind the Peabody Award-winning Netflix hit American Vandal, which satirized true-crime documentaries by investigating absurd high school pranks. They also gave us the criminally underseen e-sports mockumentary Players on Paramount+.

Their involvement strongly hints at the series' tone: a clever blend of satire, genuine emotion, and sharp documentary structure. This isn't just a broad comedy; it's a sophisticated endeavor that treats the inherently absurd elements of a super-powered universe with a refreshing seriousness, reflecting that, in this reality, the absurd is simply real. James Gunn and Peter Safran, co-heads of DC Studios, are executive producing, ensuring DC Crime stays cohesive with the broader DCU narrative they’re building.

"There's another TV show that's my favorite thing in all of this [DCU Chapter One], that is hopefully getting made soon. It's just my favorite thing."

"I’m excited about one TV project in particular. I don’t know why we’re not greenlighted on that already – it’s just figuring out the budget."

— James Gunn (via Entertainment Weekly & GQ)

Unveiling the Primate Problem: Gorilla Grodd as the Inaugural Case

For its debut season, DC Crime is pulling out a big gun – or rather, a big ape: Gorilla Grodd. For those new to the DC Comics lore, Grodd is far from your average primate. He's a super-intelligent, telepathic gorilla who rules a secret African city known as Gorilla City. His powers, including genius-level intellect, telepathy, and telekinesis, were acquired after he and his society of gorillas were exposed to radiation from a crashed alien spaceship.

Grodd first burst onto the scene in the pages of 1959's The Flash #106, in a story titled "Menace of the Super-Gorilla!" by John Broome and Carmine Infantino. He’s primarily known as one of the Scarlet Speedster’s most cunning and capable adversaries, but he’s also been a prominent member of villainous organizations like the Legion of Doom and the Secret Society of Super Villains.

Bringing Grodd into the live-action DCU is an exciting prospect, especially given his unique blend of menace and inherent comic book "weirdness." He's a character that thrives on a certain level of absurdity, making him a perfect fit for a mockumentary format that can explore his backstory, public reactions to his existence, and the truths his presence forces humanity to confront about its own boundaries and anxieties.

Gorilla Grodd's Live-Action Legacy and What it Means for the DCU

While DC Crime marks Grodd’s live-action debut within James Gunn and Peter Safran’s new DCU (he had an animated cameo in Creature Commandos), he’s no stranger to the screen. Fans of The CW's Arrowverse will remember his significant recurring role in The Flash and even a memorable appearance in DC's Legends of Tomorrow. In the latter, he was time-displaced to 1979 to attempt to assassinate a young Barack Obama – a prime example of the kind of delightfully bizarre scenarios Grodd can inspire.

This history of adapting Grodd, often in ways that lean into his more outlandish elements, sets a precedent for DC Crime. It provides a rich tapestry of comic book history to draw from, allowing the show to explore deep lore while maintaining its distinct mockumentary tone. It’s also notable that Grodd is an original member of the infamous Legion of Doom, a supervillain group frequently assembled by Lex Luthor. With Grodd's introduction, alongside Lex Luthor and Green Lantern villain Sinestro (who will be played by Ulrich Thomsen in Lanterns), the DCU is steadily building towards the potential formation of this iconic villainous team.

The Success of Superman (2025) Propelled This New DC Universe Direction

The announcement of DC Crime comes on the heels of the massive success of James Gunn’s Superman, which premiered on July 11, 2025. The film quickly cemented its place as a hit, grossing over $616.6 million worldwide against a budget of $225 million. Critics and audiences alike praised the film, which holds an 83% "Certified Fresh" rating on Rotten Tomatoes and an impressive 90% "Popcornmeter" score from over 25,000 user reviews. This strong foundation proves that audiences are ready for Gunn’s fresh take on the DC Universe, paving the way for unique spinoffs like DC Crime.

The original film, starring David Corenswet as Superman and Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, had a runtime of 130 minutes and featured Skyler Gisondo's Jimmy Olsen as a clear breakout character. Its success indicates that the DCU is not just focused on its marquee heroes, but also on expanding the narratives of its compelling supporting cast and exploring the broader world through different lenses.

Navigating the Nuances of a New Investigative DC Universe Series

While the prospect of DC Crime is incredibly exciting, there are a few things to keep in mind. For starters, we don't have an official release date for the series yet, though it is confirmed for HBO Max. Secondly, while Gorilla Grodd is famously a Flash antagonist, don't necessarily expect Barry Allen to pop up for a cameo right away. The focus, as the title implies, is on the "crime" and Olsen's investigation, not necessarily on bringing in other major heroes. James Gunn himself emphasizes keeping projects tightly focused on their central characters, though the larger DCU is always in the background.

Example: Imagine a cold case from the police files: the perplexing disappearance of a priceless collection of artifacts from the Metropolis Museum, with only a single, perfectly peeled banana left at the scene. Normally, this might be dismissed as a prank, but with Gorilla Grodd’s known penchant for elaborate schemes and mind control, Jimmy Olsen’s true-crime docuseries could delve into the minute details, interviewing bewildered security guards and forensic scientists trying to make sense of a crime that defies conventional logic, all while subtle hints of Grodd's psychic influence are expertly woven into the narrative through unsettling testimonials and redacted documents.

This approach highlights a key tradeoff: by focusing on characters like Jimmy Olsen and villains like Grodd in a novel format, the DCU gains immense narrative flexibility. It allows for world-building that goes beyond just action sequences, giving us a deeper understanding of how ordinary citizens (and extraordinary journalists) cope with a super-powered world. It’s a smart move to diversify the storytelling, offering a fresh, character-driven experience that can coexist with larger cinematic adventures like the upcoming Lanterns streaming series, the unnerving Clayface feature film, and Milly Alcock’s return as Kara Zor-El in Supergirl (slated for June 26, 2026).

Practical Takeaways for Eager DC Universe Viewers

• Get Ready for a Fresh Perspective: DC Crime promises a unique, ground-level look at the DCU's metahuman mysteries, seen through the eyes of a Daily Planet journalist, not a superhero.
• Expect Distinctive Storytelling: With the creators of American Vandal at the helm, prepare for a satirical yet genuinely investigative mockumentary style that's unlike anything else in the superhero genre.
• Dive into Deeper Lore: The series will explore the backstory and societal impact of villains like Gorilla Grodd, offering a more nuanced understanding of the DCU's complex characters.
• HBO Max is Your Destination: Keep an eye on HBO Max for the eventual premiere of DC Crime, which will expand the streaming service's growing slate of DCU content.

Frequently Asked Questions About the DC Crime Series

When does DC Crime premiere?

An official release date for DC Crime has not yet been announced.

Where can I watch DC Crime?

DC Crime will stream exclusively on HBO Max.

Will Superman (Clark Kent) and Lois Lane appear in DC Crime?

According to reports, David Corenswet's Clark Kent and Rachel Brosnahan's Lois Lane are not expected to be involved as main characters, though other Daily Planet staff members will feature.

Who is Gorilla Grodd?

Gorilla Grodd is a super-intelligent, telepathic ape with enhanced physical abilities, primarily known as a major antagonist of The Flash. He gained his powers from exposure to radiation from an alien spaceship.

Sources

• CBR, "Superman Spinoff Series Stars Least Powerful Superman Character," [Accessed November 2025].
• The Hollywood Reporter, "Superman Spinoff Series in the Works with Skylar Gisondo," November 10, 2025.
• Variety, "Jimmy Olsen ‘DC Crime’ Series in the Works at HBO Max From ‘American Vandal’ Duo, First Season Focused on Gorilla Grodd," November 10, 2025.
• TechRadar, "Superman’s Jimmy Olsen spin-off show will feature this classic Flash villain," November 10, 2025.
• MovieWeb, "Superman's Jimmy Olsen Spin-Off Series Will Introduce A Major DC Comics Villain," November 11, 2025.
• ComicBookMovie.com, "DC Studios Latest Streaming Project Brings the Legion of Doom One Step Closer to the DCU," November 11, 2025.
• India Today, "DC Crime: Jimmy Olsen leads Superman spin-off series as narrator and investigator," November 11, 2025.
• Deadline, "Superman Spinoff Series, DC Crime, In Works At DC Studios & HBO Max," November 10, 2025.