Jimmy Olsen Steps Into the Spotlight with New "DC Crime" Series

Get ready for a whole new take on the DC Universe! Everyone's favorite Daily Planet photographer, Jimmy Olsen, is getting his own "true crime" docuseries, and it's shaping up to be a wild ride with some familiar faces and plenty of mysteries.

TL;DR: The Essentials

• Skyler Gisondo will reprise his role as Jimmy Olsen, the breakout Daily Planet photographer from James Gunn's Superman movie, in the new HBO Max series titled "DC Crime."
• The show will adopt a mockumentary-style "true crime" format, focusing on Olsen and other Daily Planet reporters (sans Clark Kent and Lois Lane) investigating super-powered villains.
• The acclaimed creators of American Vandal, Dan Perrault and Tony Yacenda, are set to write, executive produce, and showrun, promising a unique and humorous tone, with Gorilla Grodd as the villain for the first season.

Unraveling Super-Crimes: Jimmy Olsen's Unexpected New Role

Ever wondered what happens when the caped hero isn't around, and the world still needs to make sense of superhuman chaos? Well, it looks like a certain cub reporter is about to find out! Hot off his scene-stealing performance in James Gunn's recent Superman movie, Skyler Gisondo's portrayal of Daily Planet photographer Jimmy Olsen captured audiences and is now set to lead his own series, officially titled "Dc Crime."

This isn't your typical superhero show. Imagine a true-crime documentary, but instead of focusing on human-level misdeeds, it delves into the bizarre and often devastating cases left behind by super-powered villains. And who better to host and investigate than Jimmy Olsen himself, a man often finding himself in the thick of things, even without powers of his own?

The Creative Minds Bringing a Mockumentary Vibe to the DC Universe

The talent behind "DC Crime" is perhaps the biggest hint at its unique tone. Dan Perrault and Tony Yacenda, the brilliant minds who created the award-winning mockumentary American Vandal, are taking the reins as writers, executive producers, and showrunners. If you're familiar with their work, you know they can perfectly blend absurdity with surprisingly grounded storytelling.

For the uninitiated, a mockumentary is a fictional film or television show presented in the style of a documentary, often for comedic effect. Given Perrault and Yacenda's track record—including the eSports mockumentary Players and even a parody of ESPN's 30 for 30 series for CollegeHumor—it's safe to say "DC Crime" will lean heavily into this format, offering a fresh, comedic, and perhaps slightly off-kilter perspective on the DC Universe. James Gunn and Peter Safran, co-chiefs of DC Studios, will also executive produce, with Galen Vaisman overseeing the project for DC. Warner Bros. Television is producing the series.

Gorilla Grodd Takes Center Stage in the First Season's Investigation

Every good true-crime series needs a compelling villain, and "DC Crime" is starting big. The first season will put the spotlight on none other than Gorilla Grodd. For those who might not know, Grodd is a super-intelligent, evil ape who hails from the secret, technologically advanced Gorilla City in Africa. He possesses incredible psychic powers, including telepathy and telekinesis, alongside super strength and speed. He's primarily known as a major antagonist for The Flash.

Grodd made his first appearance in the pages of DC Comics in 1959, specifically in The Flash #106. His long history as a formidable foe, combined with the creators' mockumentary style, promises a truly bizarre and entertaining deep dive into his criminal endeavors. Imagine a serious, investigative report about a super-genius gorilla's plot for global domination – the comedic potential is enormous.

The Daily Planet: Investigating Without Clark Kent or Lois Lane

While Jimmy Olsen will be our guide, he won't be alone. The series concept centers on Olsen and other Daily Planet reporters tackling cases involving super-powered villains. However, fans eager to see more of David Corenswet's Clark Kent or Rachel Brosnahan's Lois Lane will need to temper their expectations.

The creative team has indicated that Clark Kent and Lois Lane will not be major presences in the show, which makes sense given that Corenswet and Brosnahan are undoubtedly busy filming the highly anticipated Superman sequel, Man of Tomorrow. This strategic choice puts the focus squarely on the less-powered, more journalistic side of the DCU, highlighting the grit and determination of reporters uncovering truths in a world filled with gods and monsters. Skyler Gisondo's portrayal of Jimmy Olsen in the Superman film clearly laid the groundwork for his expanded role:

"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 (from his Superman review)

Jimmy Olsen's comic book history, with its often bizarre and outlandish scenarios – from temporarily gaining superpowers to becoming a giant man-turtle kaiju – perfectly primes him for this kind of off-the-wall investigative role. His knack for stumbling into trouble will likely be a central comedic and plot-driving element.

The Burning Question: Will The Flash Make an Appearance?

Given Gorilla Grodd's deep roots as a Flash villain, fans are understandably buzzing with speculation: could "DC Crime" mark the long-awaited debut of The Flash in James Gunn's DC Universe? The idea of a red streak and lightning appearing in the background of a Grodd-focused episode has certainly captured imaginations.

Many enthusiasts believe a cameo from the Scarlet Speedster is inevitable, even if just a fleeting one, perhaps in a flashback or a brief encounter during an investigation into Grodd's past deeds. However, not everyone is thrilled at the prospect of the Flash making his grand DCU entrance in a spinoff series. Some argue that such an iconic character deserves a more significant, dedicated introduction. As one user on X (formerly Twitter) playfully remarked, "DCEU gave us Flash with no Flash villains and the DCU is poised to give us Flash villains with no Flash. I hope the next DCU rebrand finally puts the pieces together and gives us no Flash with no Flash villains." At the time of writing, DC Studios has remained tight-lipped about The Flash's potential involvement, keeping the speculation alive and well.

"DC Crime" and the Expanding DC Universe Tapestry

"DC Crime" isn't just a standalone series; it's a piece of James Gunn and Peter Safran's ambitious, interconnected DC Universe. The "Gods and Monsters" chapter aims to weave together films and TV shows, and this series will play a crucial role in introducing additional supervillains into the DCU, particularly those from the rogues' galleries of other iconic heroes.

Gorilla Grodd, for example, is a foundational member of the infamous Legion of Doom, a supervillain collective first introduced in the 1978 animated series Challenge of the Superfriends. With Lex Luthor already established, and Sinestro (to be played by Ulrich Thomsen in the upcoming Lanterns series) also set to appear, Grodd's introduction brings the Legion of Doom one step closer to reality. Theories even suggest Brainiac might appear in the next Superman film, Man of Tomorrow, and that Ultraman (or a Bizarro-ized Supes dupe) could also emerge, further fleshing out the villain roster. This strategy could be a clever way to build towards a massive Justice League versus Legion of Doom crossover event down the line, mirroring the beloved animated series.

A Potential Shift Towards a "Superman Family Saga"?

While "DC Crime" clearly fits into the broader DCU, some industry insiders are speculating about a more focused direction from James Gunn. There's a theory circulating that Gunn might be quietly pivoting away from his original, expansive "Gods and Monsters" plan to concentrate more on a "Superman Family Saga." This shift, some suggest, could be influenced by uncertainties surrounding his contract renewal and potential changes in Warner Bros. Discovery's ownership. The emphasis on Superman-centric projects—including Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, the core Superman film, Man of Tomorrow, and now the Jimmy Olsen series—certainly supports this idea, suggesting a concentrated effort on Kryptonian lore and its immediate orbit rather than a sprawling, multi-hero universe. This isn't confirmed by DC Studios, but it's a fascinating perspective on the DCU's evolving strategy.

Example: A Day in the Life of a "DC Crime" Reporter

Imagine a scene straight out of "DC Crime": A Daily Planet intern, fueled by too much coffee, meticulously tracks down old security footage from a municipal bank, hoping to find a clue about a recent robbery. The official report blames a "freak electrical surge," but the intern’s gut, backed by Jimmy Olsen’s instincts, whispers of something more… telekinetic. The footage, grainy and distorted, eventually reveals a split-second anomaly: objects moving seemingly on their own, accompanied by a faint, almost subliminal, growl. It’s not definitive proof, but it's enough for Jimmy to push for further investigation, sending the Daily Planet crew deeper into the perplexing world of meta-human crime.

Practical Takeaways for Future Viewers

• Prepare for a Unique Tone: Don't expect a typical superhero drama. With the American Vandal creators at the helm, anticipate a clever, comedic, and mockumentary-style approach to crime investigation in a super-powered world.
• Focus on the Unsung Heroes: "DC Crime" will highlight the journalistic integrity and street smarts of the Daily Planet reporters, proving that you don't need superpowers to tackle major villains.
• Grodd's Grand Introduction: Gorilla Grodd's central role means we'll get a detailed, likely humorous, look at one of DC's most iconic and eccentric villains, potentially paving the way for more Legion of Doom members.
• Manage Flash Expectations: While Grodd's presence sparks exciting theories about The Flash, his appearance in "DC Crime" is not confirmed. Enjoy the series for what it is, and any Flash cameo will be a bonus.
• It's Part of a Bigger Picture: This series is a crucial piece of James Gunn's interconnected DCU, introducing characters and lore that could build towards larger team-ups and conflicts in future films and shows.

Frequently Asked Questions About "DC Crime"

What is "DC Crime"? "DC Crime" is an upcoming HBO Max television series presented as a fictional true-crime docuseries hosted by Skyler Gisondo's Jimmy Olsen, focusing on investigations into super-powered villains.

Who is playing Jimmy Olsen in the series? Skyler Gisondo will reprise his role as Jimmy Olsen, which he originated in James Gunn's Superman movie.

Who are the showrunners for "DC Crime"? Dan Perrault and Tony Yacenda, known for their work on the mockumentary series American Vandal and Players, are writing, executive producing, and showrunning "DC Crime."

Will Superman or Lois Lane appear in "DC Crime"? No major appearances from David Corenswet's Clark Kent (Superman) or Rachel Brosnahan's Lois Lane are expected, as the series will focus on Jimmy Olsen and other Daily Planet reporters tackling cases.

When will "DC Crime" be released? An official release date for "DC Crime" has not been announced yet.

Sources

• The Hollywood Reporter, "Jimmy Olsen ‘DC Crime’ Series in the Works at HBO Max From ‘American Vandal’ Duo, First Season Focused on Gorilla Grodd," 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.
• Deadline, "Jimmy Olsen ‘DC Crime’ Series in the Works at HBO Max From ‘American Vandal’ Duo, First Season Focused on Gorilla Grodd," November 10, 2025.
• IGN, "DC Crime TV Series in Development Starring Skyler Gisondo’s Jimmy Olsen, Gorilla Grodd as Villain," November 10, 2025.
• ComicBookMovie.com, "New DC Crime Details Reveal Which Other Superman Characters Will - And Won't - Appear," November 12, 2025.
• Murphy's Multiverse, "DC Studios Latest Streaming Project Brings the Legion of Doom One Step Closer to the DCU," November 11, 2025.
• Yahoo, "Fans say the Flash could make a ‘little cameo’ in upcoming Jimmy Olsen series," November 11, 2025.
• Cosmic Book News, "Why A Jimmy Olsen Series? More Gunn Superman Family Saga," November 11, 2025.