Key takeaways
- James Gunn's DCU is launching The People v. Gorilla Grodd, a true crime mockumentary miniseries on HBO Max centered on a murder trial investigation.
- American Vandal creators Tony Yacenda and Dan Perrault direct the series, with Skyler Gisondo returning as Jimmy Olson and Jimmy Tatro voicing Gorilla Grodd.
- Gorilla Grodd's series represents the first major streaming project centered on DC's deep roster of primate characters, following Marvel's inclusion of Super Apes in Fantastic Four: First Steps.
- The project signals James Gunn's commitment to genre experimentation in the DCU, particularly amid setbacks with other HBO Max superhero projects like Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow.
James Gunn’s reimagining of DC Studios is finally turning its attention to the property that has captured comic book editors’ hearts for decades: gorillas. The People v. Gorilla Grodd, a forthcoming miniseries for HBO Max, marks the first time the DCU will center on one of the publisher’s most formidable simian characters, combining mockumentary sensibilities with superhero mythology.
From American Vandal to Metropolis
True Crime Mockumentary Format
The series, created by Tony Yacenda and Dan Perrault, presents itself as a fictional documentary made within the DC Universe itself—specifically, a Daily Planet original production. The narrative follows Jimmy Olson, Superman’s photographer best friend, as he investigates the murder trial of Gorilla Grodd, the supervillain accused of killing his own father to seize control of Gorilla City. Olson applies the rigor of journalism to a case that asks a central question: was this genius psychic ape actually guilty, or the victim of a setup?
The Creators’ Track Record
Yacenda and Perrault bring considerable experience in the mockumentary space. The pair created American Vandal, Netflix’s cult series that spoofed true crime documentaries while telling the story of a teenager falsely accused of defacing 27 cars with obscene drawings. The irreverent tone and faux-documentary framing that made American Vandal a cult hit translate directly to The People v. Gorilla Grodd, though the stakes shift from suburban scandal to supervillain intrigue.
The creators describe their approach in terms that emphasize authenticity within the universe: “We’re excited by the challenge of creating a series that feels less like an entry into the DCU and more like an artifact from it. A Daily Planet original documentary made for the people of Metropolis. We hope it’ll appeal to fans of the comics, comedy and true crime. And while we can’t speak for audiences here yet, we already know it’s a huge hit in Metropolis.”
This framing—presenting the show as if it genuinely exists as a media product within the DCU itself—distinguishes it from conventional superhero television and aligns with the filmmaking philosophy Gunn has championed in his recent projects.
Cast and Character Voices
Skyler Gisondo returns as Jimmy Olson, reprising the role from the broader DCU continuity. The casting decision grounds the series in established canon while giving Olson a more substantial narrative focus than he typically receives in ensemble superhero projects. Jimmy Tatro, who starred in American Vandal, provides the voice of Gorilla Grodd. This connection between the series’ creative team and its voice cast suggests a cohesive vision rooted in the creators’ previous collaborative work. Tatro’s casting opens the door to comedic voice acting that can walk the line between the character’s genuine menace and the absurdist premise of a documentary series centered on a talking ape.
Who Gorilla Grodd Really Is
Physical and Psychic Powers
Grodd possesses extraordinary psychic powers and physical strength—a combination referred to in the comics as “gorilla grip.” His capabilities place him among DC’s most dangerous supervillains, far beyond the typical “bruiser” archetype.
Leadership Within Villainy
Grodd’s ambitions extend beyond personal power. He has repeatedly positioned himself as the leader of the Legion of Doom, DC’s most prestigious villainous collective. This particular detail matters: Grodd’s intelligence and strategic mind rival his physical prowess, making him a complex antagonist with genuine aspirations to power.
Family and Political Intrigue
The murder trial at the center of the series introduces family drama into Grodd’s mythology. The accusation that he killed his father to assume control of Gorilla City touches on themes of succession and political intrigue that give the true crime framework substance beyond mere parody.
The Gorilla Precedent in DC Comics
DC’s relationship with gorillas in comics stretches back decades. Editor Julius Schwartz, working in the Silver Age of comics, held a specific belief that guided editorial decisions: gorillas on comic book covers sold significantly better than almost any other visual element. This conviction led Schwartz to push his creative teams to regularly develop new primate characters, resulting in what became an unusually deep roster of simian characters.
The roster of DC gorillas and ape-like characters that have never appeared in any cinematic universe spans from the iconic to the obscure:
- Ultra-Humanite, an early Superman antagonist
- Solovar, king of Gorilla City
- Monsieur Mallah, the intelligent gorilla associated with the Brotherhood of Evil
- Congorilla, the hero cursed to live in an ape’s body
- Sam Simeon, the detective ape
- Titano, the super-powered gorilla
- Detective Chimp, a primate detective
- Gorilla Mob Boss and Mod Gorilla Boss, criminal variants
- Ramjam, Tiny, Mogo the Bat-Ape, Beppo the Super-Monkey, Koko, and King Colosso
None of these characters have made the leap from page to screen in any DC cinematic project, making Grodd’s miniseries a breakthrough for the property.
Marvel’s Ape Advantage
Ironically, Marvel reached this territory first. The studio included the Red Ghost’s Super Apes in Fantastic Four: First Steps, released in 2025. The adaptation notably cut completed scenes featuring John Malkovich as the Red Ghost himself, prioritizing the apes over the human character—a decision that underscores the cultural cachet these characters carry, even in the mainstream.
DC’s delay in bringing its primate roster to screen becomes more conspicuous when measured against Marvel’s precedent. For a publisher that built its gorilla legacy on the belief that these characters sell, the absence from live-action and animated cinema until now represents a significant gap.
Strategic Timing in Gunn’s Vision
Portfolio and Priorities
James Gunn identified The People v. Gorilla Grodd as one of the first projects pitched to Warner Bros. when he assumed leadership of DC Studios. This placement suggests that Gunn sees the series as strategically important to his broader vision for the studio, rather than a peripheral side project.
Market Context and Creative Direction
The announcement comes amid a turbulent period for HBO’s DC projects. Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow underperformed at the box office, and several planned spin-offs have been canceled. Within this context, a high-concept miniseries centered on a beloved comic character offers both creative risk and an opportunity to differentiate the DCU’s offerings from conventional superhero fare.
Gunn’s willingness to greenlight a mockumentary series signals an approach to DC content that embraces genre experimentation and the catalog’s quirkier elements. If The People v. Gorilla Grodd succeeds, it could unlock broader creative possibilities for the publisher’s vast roster of unconventional characters.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The People v. Gorilla Grodd about?
The People v. Gorilla Grodd is an in-universe documentary series created by Jimmy Olson that investigates the murder trial of supervillain Gorilla Grodd, who is accused of killing his father to seize control of Gorilla City. The documentary questions whether Grodd was guilty or was set up.
Who created the series and who stars in it?
The series was created by Tony Yacenda and Dan Perrault, the team behind American Vandal. Skyler Gisondo reprises his DCU role as Jimmy Olson, and Jimmy Tatro provides the voice of Gorilla Grodd.
Why is this miniseries significant for the DCU?
Despite DC having a deep roster of gorilla characters since the Silver Age—none of which have appeared in previous cinematic projects—Gorilla Grodd's miniseries marks the publisher's first major streaming project centered on these characters. James Gunn identified it as one of the first projects pitched when taking over DC Studios.
