The mockumentary stars Skyler Gisondo and Jimmy Tatro, exploring a famous Metropolis murder trial
Category: Arts & Culture
HBO Max has officially announced an eight-episode, straight-to-series order for a new half-hour comedy titled The People v. Gorilla Grodd, produced by DC Studios and Warner Bros. Television. The series features Skyler Gisondo reprising his role as Daily Planet staffer Jimmy Olsen and Jimmy Tatro as the superintelligent ape Gorilla Grodd, who is at the center of a notorious murder trial in Metropolis.
This new comedy series, described as a mockumentary, follows Jimmy Olsen as he investigates whether Gorilla Grodd was wrongly convicted of murdering his father, the King of Gorilla City. The show aims to blend humor with elements of true crime, exploring the darker and funnier aspects of the DC Universe.
Joining Gisondo and Tatro in the cast are several actors reprising their roles from the 2025 film Superman, including Beck Bennett as Steve Lombard, Mikaela Hoover as Cat Grant, and Wendell Pierce as Perry White. Additional cast members include Mary Holland, Eduardo Franco, Arian Moayed, Dan Perrault, Andrew Leeds, and Tim Baltz.
Tony Yacenda and Dan Perrault, known for their work on the acclaimed Netflix series American Vandal, will serve as showrunners, writers, and executive producers for this new project. Yacenda is also set to direct all episodes. Their experience in creating mockumentary content is expected to bring a unique flavor to the series.
The announcement of The People v. Gorilla Grodd follows the success of DC Studios’ recent projects, including the series Lanterns, which premiered on August 16, 2026. This new series is positioned to have a lighter tone compared to other recent DC offerings, aiming to attract a diverse audience by mixing comedy with a mockumentary format.
In a statement, Amy Gravitt, Executive Vice President of HBO Programming and Head of HBO & HBO Max Comedy Series, expressed her enthusiasm for the project, saying, “We are thrilled to be working with Tony and Dan, alongside James, Peter, the entire DC team and our colleagues at WBTV, to bring these iconic DCU characters to HBO Max in a new and unexpected way. We already know Skyler Gisondo is pitch-perfect as Jimmy Olsen, and we can’t wait for fans to experience Jimmy Tatro’s captivating and hilarious portrayal of Grodd.”
James Gunn and Peter Safran, Co-Chairmen and Co-CEOs of DC Studios, also shared their excitement, stating, “Between Skyler’s wonderful performance and the fantastic chemistry of the Daily Planet cast, we knew coming out of Superman that this would be a fun world to explore. 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.”
The production of The People v. Gorilla Grodd is set to begin shortly, with an anticipated release date yet to be announced. The series is expected to appeal to fans of the DC Universe, comedy, and true crime documentaries, offering a fresh perspective on familiar characters.
Yacenda and Perrault, in their joint statement, remarked, “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, whilst we can’t speak for audiences here yet, we already know it’s a huge hit in Metropolis. They love this series.”
The upcoming series promises to deliver a unique blend of humor and intrigue, with a storyline that digs into the criminal justice system of Metropolis through the eyes of its beloved characters. Fans are eagerly awaiting the chance to see how Jimmy Olsen's investigation will unravel the layers of Gorilla Grodd's controversial conviction.
As HBO Max continues to expand its offerings, The People v. Gorilla Grodd marks a notable addition to its lineup, blending the realms of comedy and superhero lore in an engaging manner. With its impressive cast and creative team, the series is positioned to become a standout entry in the DC Universe's television offerings.
Set to explore the intricacies of a fictional trial, this mockumentary aims to entertain both fans of the superhero genre and those who appreciate clever comedy. The excitement surrounding the project reflects a growing trend in television to reimagine established characters and narratives in innovative formats. The series is expected to resonate well with audiences when it premieres, as anticipation builds for what HBO Max has in store.