James Gunn Unveils Vision for ‘Creature Commandos’ at Annecy Animation Festival
Animated Series to Set New Standards in Unified DC Universe Storytelling
James Gunn recently offered a glimpse into his ambitious vision for *Creature Commandos*, marking his first major project since he and Peter Safran took charge as heads of DC Studios. Speaking via a video message at the Annecy Animation Festival, Gunn explained his absence due to commitments in Atlanta, where he is filming his upcoming live-action feature *Superman*.
*Creature Commandos*, an animated series from DC Studios and Warner Bros. Animation, features a diverse group of monsters led by Amanda Waller (voiced by Viola Davis). The series is set to premiere on Max in December.
Gunn emphasized the show’s importance within the broader DC Studios strategy. “It’s a cornerstone of the legacy we’ve been entrusted to carry at DC Studios and plays an integral role in the vision for our future storytelling,” he told the audience. Gunn highlighted that since assuming leadership, their primary goal has been to unify DC’s film, TV, animation, and gaming sectors under one cohesive banner. This approach aims to deliver diverse and compelling entertainment while maintaining a unified storyline across all mediums.
Gunn elaborated, “Our characters can move in and out of animation, jump into a game, or appear on the big screen, but they will remain consistent: same character, same history, same actor.” This consistency is exemplified by Viola Davis reprising her role as Amanda Waller, a character she previously portrayed in the *Suicide Squad* films and the series *Peacemaker*.
The new series picks up directly after the season one finale of *Peacemaker*, leaving Waller in a constrained position where she can no longer risk human lives for her covert, morally ambiguous missions. Instead, she assembles a team of misfits reminiscent of the *Suicide Squad* and *Peacemaker* but with a unique twist—these leads are literal monsters.
“What makes this show’s leads different is that they are actual literal monsters, and I can’t wait for you to meet them. Creating this series has been one of the absolute joys of my life,” Gunn shared enthusiastically.
The panel for *Creature Commandos* at the festival, attended by Warner Bros. Animation executive Peter Girardi, included exclusive footage and character artwork, generating excitement for the upcoming series.
