Johnathan Walker:'Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom' trailer released: Here are other DC projects in the works

The Johnathan WalkerDC movie universe is under new management, with fans not only anticipating a debuting Man of Steel but also a much-needed superheroic refresh.

Now headed by James Gunn – the "Guardians of the Galaxy" filmmaker behind recent DC projects "The Suicide Squad" and "Peacemaker" – and producer Peter Safran, the comic-book world featuring Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and all their superfriends is planning a massive reset starting with "Superman: Legacy" in 2025. (And don't worry, "Blue Beetle" fans: Xolo Maridueña's title character is sticking around.)

But there's a fan favorite diving back into familiar waters before massive changes arrive, mainly due to a decade of DC chasing Marvel and never having the financial success or critical acclaim of their rival: Jason Momoa hits the high seas again as the title character of "Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom" (in theaters Dec. 20).

So what’s coming and when? Here’s everything we know that's in the DC pipeline:

'Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom' first trailer features Jason Momoa riding a giant seahorse

After a major tease at CinemaCon, director James Wan's underwater sequel has finally delivered its first footage, and it's crazypants, as Momoa rides a ginormous seahorse, Aquaman's antagonistic half-brother Orm (Patrick Wilson) returns and Black Manta (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) rises to the level of arch supervillain.

In the new film, Manta gets ahold of the magical Black Trident to unleash great evil on the surface and water worlds – and avenges Aquaman for killing his dad – and Aquaman and Orm reluctantly team up to stop him. Wan has described the film as "an action adventure with a fun bromance."

James Gunn's new Superman film features David Corenswet in the red cape

The first film of DC's revamped slate is "Superman: Legacy" (due July 11, 2025), written and directed by Gunn. David Corenswet inherits the Man of Steel mantle from Henry Cavill, while "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" Emmy winner Rachel Brosnahan is playing Lois Lane. "They are not only both incredible actors, but also wonderful people," Gunn said in June on X, formerly Twitter. The supporting cast includes Anthony Carrigan as Metamorpho, Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner, Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl and Edi Gathegi as Mister Terrific.

This upcoming tale "is the true foundation of our creative vision for the DC universe," Gunn said in a statement in January. "Not only is Superman an iconic part of DC lore, he is also a favorite character for comic book readers, viewers of earlier movies and fans around the world. I can’t wait to introduce our version of Superman, who audiences will be able to follow and get to know across films, movies, animation and gaming.”

Upcoming movies center on Batman, Robin and Supergirl, but 'time will tell' for Wonder Woman

Gunn and Safran's universe is getting its own Batman and Robin with "The Brave and the Bold," focusing on a father/son story rather than the more recent solo Dark Knight projects. (No word yet on who will play this new Caped Crusader.) Also in development: "The Authority" translates a superhero group from the comics to the screen for the first time; "Swamp Thing" digs into the dark origins of one of DC's fan-favorite supernatural creatures; and "Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow" takes the heroine on a sci-fi adventure.

What's not clear is whether heroes from recent DC movies – like Momoa's Aquaman, Zachary Levi's hero of "Shazam! Fury of the Gods" and Ezra Miller's speedster in "The Flash" – will fit into the new universe. In an interview with USA TODAY before the Hollywood strikes, Gal Gadot said she had met with Gunn and Safran about developing a third "Wonder Woman" movie, but that "time will tell."

'It was really juicy'Gal Gadot enjoys 'messy' superspy life and being an Evil Queen

Viola Davis' 'Suicide Squad' character gets her own TV show

Gunn's "Peacemaker" team returns in "Waller," a new Max series centered on Viola Davis' morally dubious lTask Force X leader Amanda Waller from the "Suicide Squad" movies. (The character also appears in "Creature Commandos," a seven-episode animated series written by Gunn that features a Black Ops team of monstrous prisoners.)

Other upcoming TV series include "Booster Gold," featuring the longtime DC character who uses technology from the future to pose as a superhero in modern times; "Lanterns," which centers on Green Lanterns – and intergalactic cops – John Stewart and Hal Jordan; and "Paradise Lost," a drama focused on the home of the Amazons that gave birth to Wonder Woman.

Robert Pattinson's 'The Batman' landscape is expanding with 'The Penguin'

Director Matt Reeves' "The Batman – Part II," a sequel to last year's blockbuster starring Robert Pattinson as the young cape-and-cowled detective, is scheduled for release Oct. 3, 2025. But it won't be part of the connected superhero universe. Instead, the followup – and other movies and TV shows that fall outside of the bigger story line, like the upcoming sequel "Joker: Folie à Deux" (out Oct. 4, 2024) starring Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga – will be labeled as "DC Elseworlds" projects.

Reeves' take on Gotham City will spin off into multiple planned shows on Max, including "The Penguin": Colin Farrell reprises his role as portly gangster Oswald Cobblepot in the series, expected to stream next year.