DC Studios co-head James Gunn is getting fans excited for one of the most powerful villains in the DC Universe. The filmmaker recently took to social media to praise Gorilla Grodd, the telepathic super-gorilla who has been a thorn in The Flash’s side for decades. With Grodd already confirmed to appear in an upcoming HBO Max series, Gunn’s latest comments have reignited speculation about how the villain will fit into the new DCU.
On February 19, 2026, Gunn marked the 67th anniversary of Gorilla Grodd’s first comic book appearance with a post on X. He shared an image of the villain and reminded fans that from the very beginning, Grodd was all about power and destruction. Gunn wrote, “When Gorilla Grodd made his comic debut, he immediately chose violence (and mind control, obviously).” He also noted that Grodd first appeared in The Flash #106 in May 1959, created by writer John Broome and artist Carmine Infantino .
While Gunn often celebrates DC history on his social media, his comments about Grodd carry extra weight because the character is already confirmed to be part of the DCU’s future. This is not just another anniversary post—it is a signal that the villain is on the way.
Who Is Gorilla Grodd? A Quick Look at The Flash’s Deadliest Foe
For anyone unfamiliar with the character, Gorilla Grodd is not your average comic book villain. He comes from Gorilla City, a hidden society of highly intelligent gorillas living in the jungles of Africa. These gorillas gained their super-intelligence after being exposed to radiation from a mysterious meteorite. While most of Gorilla City’s residents are peaceful, Grodd has always been different. He is power-hungry, aggressive, and sees humans as inferior beings who need to be controlled or eliminated .
Grodd possesses some of the most dangerous abilities in the DC Universe. He is a master of telepathy and mind control, which allows him to take over the thoughts and actions of anyone he chooses. He can also launch telepathic attacks, sense the thoughts of others, and even transfer his own mind into different bodies. On top of that, he has superhuman strength, speed, and durability, making him a physical threat even to heroes like Superman and Batman .
In the comics, Grodd has repeatedly tried to conquer both Gorilla City and the human world. He has manipulated political systems, created advanced technology, and built armies to achieve his goals. He has also been a member of villain teams like the Secret Society of Super-Villains and the Injustice League .
Where Will Grodd Appear in the DCU?
This is where things get interesting. While Gunn’s post has fans guessing about Grodd’s future, the character is already confirmed for at least one DCU project. According to multiple reports, Grodd will appear in the upcoming HBO Max series centered on Jimmy Olsen .
The Jimmy Olsen show is expected to be a unique take on the DC Universe. Described as a true-crime style series, it will star Skyler Gisondo, who plays the Daily Planet photographer in James Gunn’s upcoming Superman movie. The show is being developed by Dan Perrault and Tony Yacenda, the creators of the Netflix satire American Vandal. That background suggests the series might have a comedic tone while still telling a compelling story .
So how does a giant telepathic gorilla fit into a Jimmy Olsen true-crime show? The working theory is that the series may use a documentary format to explore strange events in the DCU, and Grodd could be the subject of an investigation. Perhaps Jimmy Olsen is following a story about strange occurrences tied to Gorilla City, which leads him to uncover Grodd’s existence. It is also possible that the show will establish Grodd as a looming threat without featuring him heavily in every episode, which would make sense given the high cost of CGI for a character like Grodd .
What About The Flash?
One of the biggest questions fans have is about The Flash himself. Grodd has always been a Flash villain, but there is no confirmed Flash movie or series in the current DCU slate. This has led to speculation that Grodd’s introduction in the Jimmy Olsen show could be setting up a future appearance for the Scarlet Speedster. It is possible that The Flash could show up in the series to battle Grodd while Jimmy chases the story .
Another possibility is that Grodd will be a recurring villain across multiple projects. James Gunn has said that the DCU will tell interconnected stories, and a character as powerful as Grodd could easily be a threat that requires multiple heroes to stop him.
Clues from Creature Commandos
Fans have already gotten a small taste of what Grodd could look like in the new DCU. In the animated series Creature Commandos, which is part of Gunn’s DCU, there was a vision of a dark future. The episode showed Princess Ilana Rostovic of Boravia teaming up with Gorilla Grodd to conquer the world and kill its heroes .
That vision ended when the princess was killed in the Creature Commandos finale, which seemingly averted that particular future. However, Gunn and his team do not include things like this by accident. The fact that Grodd appeared in that vision suggests he is very much on the DCU’s radar. Even without the princess, Grodd is smart enough and powerful enough to come up with his own plans for world domination .
Some eagle-eyed fans have also spotted what looks like a reference to Grodd in the trailer for the upcoming Superman movie. A newspaper shown briefly in the teaser features a headline about Boravia, and there is a photo that appears to show a character who looks very much like Grodd. If true, that would mean Grodd’s presence is already being felt in the DCU, even before he makes his full debut .
James Gunn’s Long-Standing Interest in Grodd
This is not the first time James Gunn has talked about wanting to use Gorilla Grodd. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly last year, Gunn addressed fan speculation about the character. He made it clear that he loves Grodd and has plans for him. Gunn said, “I love Gorilla Grodd, so I’ve got other plans for that guy” .
That statement, combined with his recent post, confirms that Grodd is a character Gunn is genuinely excited about. For fans, that is good news. When a director and studio head has a personal connection to a character, it usually means they will be handled with care and given meaningful stories.
What Makes Grodd a Compelling Villain?
Gorilla Grodd stands out because he is not just a brute with super strength. He is a genius with psychic powers, which makes him unpredictable and terrifying. He can turn ordinary people into weapons by controlling their minds. He can create elaborate schemes that span years. He is also a tragic figure in some ways, a being of immense power who is driven by his own ego and desire to prove that he is superior to humans .
In a cinematic universe that is just getting started, having a villain like Grodd makes sense. He is a threat that can challenge multiple heroes, and his abilities open the door for all kinds of creative storytelling.
Fan Reactions to the News
As expected, DC fans had a lot to say after James Gunn’s post went live. Many are excited about the possibility of seeing a fully realized, CGI version of Grodd on screen. Some fans are hoping that the character will be handled with the same care and creativity that Gunn has shown with other projects.
On social media, fans have been sharing their favorite Grodd moments from the comics and from previous animated series. Some are also speculating about which actors might voice the character. In the past, Grodd has been voiced by talented performers like Powers Boothe and David Sobolov in animation, and fans are curious to see who might take on the role in live-action .
There is also a lot of discussion about how the DCU will handle Grodd’s design. Will he be a motion-capture performance like Caesar from the Planet of the Apes movies? Or will he be a fully animated character? Either way, fans are eager to see what the team comes up with.
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The Bigger Picture for the DCU
James Gunn and his co-CEO Peter Safran are building a new DC Universe that includes movies, TV shows, and animated projects all existing in the same world. They have already announced Chapter 1, which they call “Gods and Monsters.” This first phase includes projects like Superman, Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, The Authority, The Brave and the Bold, and Swamp Thing .
Gorilla Grodd fits perfectly into this vision. He is a classic character who has never been fully explored in live-action films. The DCU has a chance to introduce him in a way that feels fresh and exciting while staying true to what makes him great in the comics.
While no official release date has been announced for the Jimmy Olsen series, reports suggest it could start filming in spring 2026, alongside Man of Tomorrow, which is the sequel to Superman. If that schedule holds, fans might see Grodd on screen as early as late 2027 .
For the latest updates on James Gunn’s DCU, Gorilla Grodd, and all your favorite superhero projects, keep checking back with VvipTimes for accurate and reliable coverage.
