First Look at Gorilla Grodd Revealed in New 'Superman' Spin-Off Set Images

First Look at Gorilla Grodd Revealed in New ‘Superman’ Spin-Off Set Images

On-location filming is underway for DC Studios’ next live-action series, The People v. Gorilla Grodd, and the first photo of the titular ape is now online. The Gorilla Grodd series is pitched as a crime mockumentary starring Jimmy Olsen (Skyler Gisondo) and many returning Daily Planet faces introduced in Superman, as they investigate a cold case involving Gorilla Grodd. Dan Perrault and Tony Yacenda, the same creative team behind the award-winning mockumentary comedy American Vandal, are writing and producing the series.

DC Film News on X shared the first two photos of Gorilla Grodd on the set of the DCU series. The photos show a figure in a giant gorilla costume wearing a vest, white shirt, and pants. It is unclear whether actor Jimmy Tatro, who is signed on to play Grodd, is in the costume or will be providing the character’s voice. See the images below:

The biggest shock in these set photos is that Grodd will be portrayed by an actor in a suit rather than CGI, which was used to bring the character to life in Arrowverse series such as The Flash or Legends of Tomorrow. However, the Gorilla Grodd costume may be a stand-in so actors have something to physically react to on set, with a CGI double imposed later. Yet if the series is intended to use an actor in a gorilla costume, it, along with the makeup work on Ulrich Thomsen to play Sinestro on Lanterns, shows the DCU is committed to using classic filmmaking techniques to bring its shared universe to life.

Although the Superman spin-off wasn’t part of James Gunn’s initial DCU slate, production on the series has moved fast since it was first reported in November 2025. Filming on The People v. Gorilla Grodd began just two weeks after James Gunn confirmed principal photography wrapped on Man of Tomorrow. This suggests The People v. Gorilla Grodd will be released after Man of Tomorrow, potentially in August 2027. This would align with past DCU series like Peacemaker Season 2 and Lanterns, which debuted in August 2025 and 2026, respectively.

In addition to Skyler Gisondo, The People v. Gorilla Grodd will see Wendell Pierce, Beck Bennett, and Mikaela Hoover reprise their roles as Perry White, Steve Lombard, and Cat Grant from Superman. Mary Holland has been cast as the series’ female lead. Eduardo Franco, Arian Moayed, Andrew Leeds, Tim Baltz, and series co-creator Dan Perrault have been cast in undisclosed roles.