DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn has officially announced The People Vs. Gorilla Grodd, an eight-episode true-crime satire series ordered by HBO Max.
The mockumentary project stars Skyler Gisondo as Daily Planet photographer Jimmy Olsen, who investigates a high-profile Metropolis murder trial involving the infamous gorilla supervillain.
Framed as a fake investigative documentary produced by the newsroom of the Daily Planet, the half-hour series takes a satirical approach to popular true-crime television productions. The Daily Planet is the iconic fictional newspaper in Metropolis best known in DC Comics as the workplace of Clark Kent and Lois Lane.
The Stryker's Island Investigation
The main storyline follows Olsen as he probes the conviction of Gorilla Grodd for the alleged murder and subsequent decapitation of his father, the monarch of Gorilla City. After securing direct access to Stryker's Island high-security prison, Olsen reopens the investigation to determine whether the super-intelligent primate, who maintains his innocence, was the victim of a judicial error.
In comic lore, Gorilla Grodd is a telepathic ape hailing from Gorilla City, a hidden African metropolis inhabited by hyper-intelligent primates. Stryker's Island serves as the primary maximum-security penitentiary housing super-powered criminals in Metropolis.
According to the project details released by Gunn, Grodd defends his innocence throughout the investigative reporting process, prompting Olsen to re-examine forensic evidence and witness testimony.
Creative Team and Satirical Tone
Behind the scenes, the production features the creative direction of Tony Yacenda and Dan Perrault, the creators of the acclaimed Netflix mockumentary series American Vandal. Yacenda will direct all eight episodes of the series.
Fulfilling the formula that brought them acclaim on Netflix, the creators will employ an earnest, formal documentary tone to chronicle an absurd legal process. The show relies on witness interviews, forensic expert reports, and event reconstructions presented as an authentic audiovisual artifact from within the comic universe.
Cast Continuity and New Additions
The cast maintains character continuity from recent film adaptations across the DC audiovisual franchise. Alongside Gisondo, actor Jimmy Tatro assumes the role of Gorilla Grodd, while Wendell Pierce reprises his role as Daily Planet editor Perry White, who appears in the fiction as the supervisor of Olsen's investigative report.
The newsroom roster is completed by returning actors Beck Bennett in the role of Steve Lombard and Mikaela Hoover as Cat Grant. The production also adds cast members Eduardo Franco, Mary Holland, and Arian Moayed in undisclosed roles.
Expanded Universe Strategy
Gunn revealed that the concept of exploring the Metropolis penal system through investigative journalism was among the embryonic projects he presented to Warner Bros. Discovery before taking over as head of DC Studios. Gunn leads the studio alongside co-CEO Peter Safran.
With this series order, DC Studios and parent company Warner Bros. Discovery reaffirm their intention to build a shared ecosystem where markedly heterogeneous genres and tonal identities coexist across film and television.
