DC’s ‘Waller’ and ‘Paradise Lost’ Reportedly Canceled at HBO

The DC Universe has been on an ambitious journey over the past few years, aiming to create a vast, interconnected lineup of films and shows that James Gunn and Peter Safran promised would finally provide Warner Bros. with a competitive answer to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. This vision has always depended on exploring lesser-known aspects of the mythology, beyond the iconic figures like Superman and Batman.

Two of these lesser-known projects were ‘Waller,’ a spinoff starring Viola Davis that delved into Amanda Waller’s ruthless government operations, and ‘Paradise Lost,’ a long-anticipated prequel series designed to explore the history of Themyscira ahead of a Wonder Woman return. Both were part of the initial ten-project slate that Gunn and Safran revealed in January 2023 under the banner Chapter One, Gods and Monsters.

According to a report from ComicBook.com, citing The Ankler, neither show will be moving forward at Warner Bros. The Ankler describes these two projects as part of the initial noisy slate that Gunn and Safran introduced while they began the process of rebuilding DC. The report also indicates that HBO and DC have turned down other pitches, including those centered on Poison Ivy and Catwoman. This news comes just days before the premiere of ‘Lanterns’ on HBO Max.

‘Waller’ was intended to pick up on unresolved threads from ‘Peacemaker,’ exploring the aftermath of Amanda Waller’s daughter exposing Task Force X to the public. The series, developed by Watchmen writer Christal Henry and Doom Patrol creator Jeremy Carver, was set to delve into the consequences of Peacemaker’s first season finale. However, the Hollywood labor disputes in 2023 necessitated significant rewrites to align with the new DCU timeline, resulting in indefinite production delays.

‘Paradise Lost’ has faced an even more tumultuous path, having been declared dead once before, only to have that decision reversed. Earlier this year, Gunn addressed rumors of cancellation on Threads, firmly stating “Definitely not” when asked if the show was being shelved. He had previously reassured Entertainment Weekly that the project was still alive, albeit progressing slowly, expressing his genuine love for the concept.

However, whether that reassurance still stands is now uncertain. Insider reports had already suggested that ‘Paradise Lost’ was losing momentum internally, with DC reportedly informing writers that the project was no longer in active development, even as focus shifted toward a Wonder Woman reboot being penned by Ana Nogueira, who previously wrote ‘Supergirl.’

Adding to the uncertainty is the ongoing corporate turmoil at Warner Bros. Discovery, which is entangled in regulatory and legal challenges following a roughly one hundred eleven billion dollar acquisition by Paramount Skydance. While there is no confirmed connection between that deal and these cancellations, the timing has sparked considerable fan speculation regarding the stability of the DCU’s television plans.

For a franchise that promised a decade-long blueprint, the loss of two more original projects is a significant setback, even with ‘Lanterns’ set to debut soon. Do you believe Amanda Waller and Themyscira deserved their own spotlight, or is the DCU better off concentrating solely on Wonder Woman herself?