Full Breakdown
DC Studios Puts Amanda Waller and Wonder Woman Prequel Series on Hold
8/12/2026, 11:59:10 PM
Core Development Halt
Variety reported that the Amanda Waller standalone series starring Viola Davis and the Wonder Woman prequel titled Paradise Lost are no longer in active development at DC Studios. TheWrap confirmed that both projects have been removed from the studio’s primary development slate. The Ankler, citing internal sources, said the two series have been officially axed. Neither series had ever received a series order.
Background & Context
James Gunn and Peter Safran assumed the roles of co-chairmen and co-CEOs of DC Studios in mid-2022 and introduced a “Chapter One: Gods and Monsters” lineup. The Waller series, first reported in May 2022, would have featured Davis reprising the Amanda Waller role she played in David Ayer’s and Gunn’s *Suicide Squad* films and the *Peacemaker* series. *Paradise Lost* was unveiled in January 2023 as a prequel set on Themyscira before the birth of Wonder Woman, described by Safran as a “Game of Thrones-like” exploration of the island’s political intrigue. While those two projects stalled, DC Studios has moved forward with the HBO Max series Lanterns (premiering August 16) and a true-crime mockumentary starring Skyler Gisondo as Jimmy Olson, with Jimmy Tatro portraying Gorilla Grodd.
Official Statements & Responses
DC Studios representatives declined to comment when approached by Variety. A source familiar with the studio’s priorities, quoted by TheWrap, said the focus has shifted to *Lanterns* and the Jimmy Olson series. In August 2025, co-CEO James Gunn told reporters at the *Peacemaker* Season 2 red-carpet event that the Waller series was still “being worked on,” though progress had slowed. Earlier, in April 2025, Gunn described *Paradise Lost* as being in “extreme development.” Safran, also co-CEO, reiterated that the Wonder Woman prequel was intended as a “Game of Thrones-like” take on the character’s origins.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Reports diverge on the current status of the two series. Variety, TheWrap, and The Ankler present the projects as cancelled or placed on the back-burner, emphasizing that they are no longer part of the active slate. Conversely, statements from Gunn and Safran—reported by Bleedingcool—suggest that development continues, with *Paradise Lost* still in “extreme development” and Waller merely delayed. No official order or production schedule has been announced for either series, and DC Studios has not provided a definitive public update, leaving the exact fate of the shows uncertain.
Impact on the DCU Television Landscape
The removal of Waller and *Paradise Lost* narrows the live-action lineup for the DC Universe. With *Lanterns* set to debut on August 16 and the Jimmy Olson/Gorilla Grodd series slated to begin production, those two projects now constitute the primary confirmed television offerings. The studio’s continued development of a *Booster Gold* series—seeking a new writer—remains the only other live-action project publicly acknowledged. The shift away from the two halted series reflects DC Studios’ broader re-evaluation of its television strategy as it balances upcoming film releases and the evolving DCU roadmap.
