Gorilla Grodd and Jimmy Olsen Show Gets Official Title and Cast List as DC Promises True-Crime Documentary With a Comedic Spin
DC Studios has announced its Gorilla Grodd and Jimmy Olsen show is officially called The People v. Gorilla Grodd, and it's coming to HBO Max with a stacked cast.
DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn formally announced the title of the long-discussed superhero spinoff TV series with a post on social media today. It came bundled with new information, including more cast updates – which already included Skyler Gisondo as Jimmy Olsen and Jimmy Tatro as Gorilla Grodd – as well as the promise that the project is a comedy with a true-crime structure.
The People v. Gorilla Grodd has now officially received a straight-to-series order that will see eight half-hour episodes come to HBO Max in the future. Along with the news, DC shared an 'official' announcement from Metropolis' The Daily Planet, which teases a "fresh, 360-degree look at the case, revealing a 'lesser-seen side' of the hyperintelligent ape, according to the film's first-time director Jimmy Olsen."
The People Vs Gorilla Grodd, the new show from DC Studios, is coming to HBO Max. Our first foray into the true crime genre. From the creators of American Vandal, starring Skyler Gisondo as Jimmy Olsen, Jimmy Tatro as Gorilla Grodd, Beck Bennett as Steve Lombard, Mikaela Hoover… pic.twitter.com/FsD4eTD5lP— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) August 21, 2026
View on X
The People Vs Gorilla Grodd, the new show from DC Studios, is coming to HBO Max. Our first foray into the true crime genre. From the creators of American Vandal, starring Skyler Gisondo as Jimmy Olsen, Jimmy Tatro as Gorilla Grodd, Beck Bennett as Steve Lombard, Mikaela Hoover… pic.twitter.com/FsD4eTD5lP
"A superintelligent ape is convicted of murdering his father, the King of Gorilla City," an official logline for The People v. Gorilla Grodd said. "In an eight-part 'true' crime docuseries, the Daily Planet’s Jimmy Olsen reopens the case, investigating whether Gorilla Grodd was wrongly convicted in one of Metropolis’ most famous murder trials."
Starring in the new HBO Max DCU show are also Beck Bennet as Steve Lombard, Mikaela Hoover as Cat Grant, and Wendell Pierce as Perry White, who reprise their Superman roles as the Daily Planet staff. Additional cast includes Mary Holland (Happiest Season), Eduardo Franco (Booksmart, Stranger Things), Dan Perrault (American Vandal), and Arian Moayed (Wonder Man, Succession), though their roles have not been detailed.
The People v. Gorilla Grodd may not materialize in the way many comic book fans may have anticipated, but that's because so much of the show has remained a mystery up to this point. First details for the series arrived late last year. DC Studios' other co-CEO, Peter Safran, went on to tease that the project would start shooting in 2026 in June, with Gunn later clarifying that it would be "both a Jimmy Olsen and a Gorilla Grodd show." American Vandal creators Tony Yacenda and Perrault are attached as showrunners, writers, and executive producers, with Yacenda also serving as director for all episodes.
"Between Skyler's wonderful performance and the fantastic chemistry of the Daily Planet cast, we knew coming out of Superma’ that this would be a fun world to explore," Gunn and Safran, who are also on board as executive producers, said in a joint statement. "We're excited to work with the brilliant Dan Perrault and Tony Yacenda to take the audience down some of the darker and funnier streets and alleyways of the DCU as Jimmy spotlights the Metropolis criminal justice system for his docuseries."
"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," Yacenda and Perrault said in their own joint statement. "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. They love this series."
The DCU may have suffered a misstep with Supergirl, but Gunn and Safran's cinematic universe still seems to have a bright future ahead. The comic book movie company is still celebrating the launch of Lanterns, which premiered its first episode to critical acclaim (IGN gave it an 8/10) and strong viewer numbers. The Green Lantern show featured a much grittier tone than the one seen in Superman and Supergirl, with Gunn teasing that audiences can expect the DCU to play with the look and feel of its projects going forward.
The People v. Gorilla Grodd currently does not have a release date. While we wait for more news about the Daily Planet's new show, you can catch up on everything coming to the DCU.
Michael Cripe is a freelance writer with IGN. He's best known for his work at sites like The Pitch, The Escapist, and OnlySP. Be sure to give him a follow on Bluesky (@mikecripe.bsky.social) and Twitter (@MikeCripe).