The DC Universe (DCU) is an American media franchise and shared universe based on characters from DC Comics publications. James Gunn and Peter Safran, co-chairmen and co-CEOs of DC Studios created it. The DCU is a soft reboot of a previous franchise, the DC Extended Universe (DCEU), retaining select cast members and narrative elements but disregarding others. In contrast with the previous state of DC Comics adaptations, the DCU features a united continuity and story across live-action films and television, animation, and video games. Concurrent DC adaptations that do not fit this continuity are labeled "DC Elseworlds".
After Discovery, Inc. and WarnerMedia merged to form Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD), CEO David Zaslav unveiled a plan to revitalize the DC brand following the underwhelming reception of the DCEU. Gunn and Safran were hired to lead the newly formed DC Studios in November 2022 after working on several DCEU projects, including the film The Suicide Squad (2021) and its spin-off series Peacemaker (2022–present).
