James Gunn isn't sure why his weirdest upcoming DCU project is being compared to She-Hulk and Invincible

The new series, announced as part of DCU Chapter One, pairs the unassuming reporter Jimmy Olsen with a telepathic gorilla villain in a faux‑documentary format. Created by “American Vandal” veterans Tony Yacenda and Dan Perrault, the eight‑part comedy‑drama will follow Olsen’s investigation into whether Gorilla Grodd was wrongly convicted of patricide. The concept has already generated buzz, not least because ScreenRant likened it to “She‑Hulk meets Invincible,” a mash‑up that left Gunn himself puzzled. In a tongue‑in‑cheek reply on Threads, Gunn noted the show’s true‑crime pedigree and teased a “Melty Ice Cube” series, underscoring his willingness to play with fan speculation. The announcement also coincides with the rollout of “Lanterns,” a weekly HBO Max series, and the upcoming theatrical release of “Clayface,” indicating a multi‑platform push for the DCU.

The move reflects a broader trend in superhero franchising toward genre‑bending experiments that stretch beyond straight action. Marvel’s Disney+ slate has already proven the appetite for off‑beat tones with titles like “She‑Hulk” (legal comedy) and “Invincible” (adult‑oriented animation). By positioning “The People vs. Gorilla Grodd” as a true‑crime mockumentary, DCU is testing whether its audience will follow the franchise into a niche that blends investigative journalism tropes with comic book lore. The series also serves as a low‑budget, high‑concept entry that can be produced for streaming while the studio reserves larger budgets for theatrical tentpoles such as “Clayface.” This diversification mirrors Warner Bros. Discovery’s strategy to fill its Max library with varied content that can attract both hardcore fans and casual viewers.

Looking ahead, the series’ success will hinge on execution and audience reception to the hybrid format. If viewers respond positively, DCU could spin the “The People vs.” label into an anthology, with fans already suggesting future installments targeting characters like Giganta or Darkseid. However, the novelty factor also carries risk: a misstep could alienate viewers expecting traditional superhero storytelling, and the comedic, mock‑documentary tone may limit appeal beyond a niche segment. Monitoring viewership metrics on Max, social media sentiment, and whether Warner Bros. greenlights additional “People vs.” seasons will be key indicators of the experiment’s viability.