Gorilla Grodd joins Superman spin-off

Jimmy Tatro has been cast as Gorilla Grodd in a Superman spin-off series centered on Jimmy Olsen, according to Entertainment Weekly and other outlets on July 8. Skyler Gisondo is set to reprise his Superman role as Jimmy Olsen in the HBO Max project, which trade and entertainment reports have referred to as “DC Crime.” The series comes from Dan Perrault and Tony Yacenda, the creators of *American Vandal*, and remains in development. No release date has been announced. James Gunn had previously indicated he had plans for Grodd inside the new DC universe. Entertainment Weekly reported that, when asked earlier whether Lex Luthor’s smart monkeys in *Superman* connected to Grodd’s origin, Gunn said, “No, no, no,” and added that he had “other plans for that guy.” ### Which character is Tatro playing, and why is that notable? Gorilla Grodd is one of DC’s long-running supervillains and is usually associated with the Flash rather than Superman. Collider described him as a major and unusual villain in DC’s catalog, while Entertainment Weekly said the character is a giant gorilla with advanced intelligence and mental powers. The character dates to 1959’s *The Flash* #106, according to Collider. The outlet said Grodd was transformed after an alien spacecraft crashed near a troop of gorillas, giving them heightened intelligence and psychic abilities and leading to the creation of Gorilla City. ### What do reports say this series is about? Skyler Gisondo’s Jimmy Olsen is the center of the project, with Daily Planet reporters investigating metahuman-related cases. Entertainment Weekly reported that the series will follow Jimmy and other reporters as they investigate villainous metahumans, and that Grodd will anchor the first season. Collider similarly described the show as a true-crime-styled docuseries built around Olsen and a featured DC villain. Dan Perrault and Tony Yacenda are writing, executive producing and serving as showrunners, Collider reported. The outlet also said DC Studios co-heads James Gunn and Peter Safran will executive produce, with Galen Vaisman overseeing production. ### How firm is this casting, and what is still unresolved? Entertainment Weekly reported that it had confirmed Tatro’s casting, while TheWrap said Tatro was in talks for the role. Collider also described him as being in talks, and noted that the series itself has not yet been formally greenlit. That leaves the project in a stage where key creative details are public, but corporate approval and scheduling details have not been fully announced. James Gunn has also disputed the reported title. ScreenRant, citing Deadline, said trade reports used “DC Crime,” while Gunn had said on social media that the show was not actually titled that. ### Why Jimmy Tatro for Grodd? Jimmy Tatro is reuniting with Perrault and Yacenda after *American Vandal*, Entertainment Weekly reported. The outlet said Tatro first broke out widely through YouTube and later appeared in *22 Jump Street*, *Modern Family*, *Home Economics* and *The Real Bros of Simi Valley*. Collider also listed *Scream 7* and *Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice* among his recent credits. The casting links a comedy performer with a character better known in animation and superhero television. Grodd previously appeared in animated DC series and made his live-action debut on the CW’s *The Flash*, where he was voiced by David Sobolov, Collider reported. ### What happens next for the project? HBO Max has not announced a premiere date for the Jimmy Olsen series. Collider reported that the show is still in development, and Entertainment Weekly said the first season will focus on Grodd while Gisondo returns as Jimmy Olsen. The next public milestones are likely to be a formal greenlight, additional casting and a confirmed series title from DC Studios or Warner Bros. Discovery.