Another big villain is joining the DC Universe. James Gunn and Peter Safran, the heads of DC Studios at Warner Bros., are continuing to build the new slate of movies and TV shows following the release of Superman last summer. One of the next projects is reportedly titled DC Crime, which will focus on Superman’s trusty ally Jimmy Olsen (Skyler Gisondo). It’s also apparently going to feature none other than Gorilla Grodd. We now know the actor who is being courted to play him.
According to Deadline, Jimmy Tatro is in talks to join DC Crime as the intelligent, villainous ape. Plot details for the show remain under wraps but it’s said to be a true crime documentary style series, hosted by Jimmy Olsen. Gorilla Grodd is going to be the big villain of the show. Tatro will be reuniting with Tony Yacenda and Dan Perrault, the creators of the mockumentary series American Vandal. They’re on board as writers, showrunners and executive producers of the series.
Gorilla Grodd is known best as a villain of The Flash. He even appeared in several episodes of the TV show on The CW. The character has been a part of the DC Comics universe for decades. He was created by John Broome and Carmine Infantino, first appearing in the pages of The Flash #106 in 1959. The character has also appeared in a number of video games and animated projects over the years.
Here’s how DC describes Gorilla Grodd.
“A hyper-intelligent telepathic ape, Gorilla Grodd has sought to rule both the simian and human worlds, though the Flash has frequently thwarted his plans.
Although many of the Flash’s most dangerous Rogues are criminals with gimmicks or evil speedsters, there is one enemy of the Fastest Man Alive who stands apart—the hyper intelligent ape known as Gorilla Grodd. The product of a chance encounter with an alien race, Grodd and his people evolved past the common gorillas who lived in his portion of the African jungle and developed super intelligence, along with a wide array of other mental powers. But while the rest of his people chose to live apart from the world peacefully, Grodd only sought to conquer humanity so he could rule it.”
Tatro’s other credits include Scream 7, Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice, The Machine and Home Economics, among others. Should he sign on the dotted line, this will be his biggest role in a major franchise to date. Gunn has made it clear he wants the same actors to play characters across movies, TV and animation in the DC Universe. So Tatro would presumably be in it for the long haul, assuming Grodd were to ever show up elsewhere.
As for the DC Universe, Supergirl recently bombed at the box office, which has put the enterprise under heavy scrutiny. Next up will be HBO’s Lanterns series in August, followed by the live-action Clayface movie in October. Next summer sees the release of Gunn’s Man of Tomorrow, which will also feature Gisondo’s Jimmy Olsen.
DC Crime doesn’t currently have a release date but stay tuned.
What do you think? Are you excited to see Gorilla Grodd in the DCU? Do you like the casting choice? Join in on the conversation over on Facebook or Twitter!
