James Gunn Clarifies DC Studios Casting Policy for Live-Action and Animation

As the days tick by, we’re inching closer and closer to the highly-anticipated two-episode debut of DC Studios’ Creature Commandos. Set to be an adult animated series, Creature Commandos is the brainchild of co-CEOs James Gunn and Peter Safran, along with Showrunner Dean Lorey. The cast and crew are busy spreading the word about what fans can expect from this new addition to the DC Universe.

Gunn and Safran had a clear vision for the series, especially when it came to casting decisions. They wanted the actors voicing DC characters in the animated series to also portray them in live-action. For example, Frank Grillo’s role in Creature Commandos as Rick Flag Sr. extends to Superman and Peacemaker Season 2. This policy seemed to apply across the board, with some flexibility for exceptional auditions.

But what about Alan Tudyk, who voices multiple characters like Dr. Phosphorus, Clayface, and Will Magnus? A fan reached out to Gunn for clarification on how this would work in terms of live-action adaptations. Gunn explained that the live-action decision hinges on the significance of the character in the animated series. Major characters like Circe or Nina might warrant broad live-action searches, while minor characters are open to interpretation.

During the 2024 Annecy International Animation Festival, Gunn presented a video offering tantalizing details about Creature Commandos. Attendees got a sneak peek at the adult animated series, showcasing characters like Waller, G.I. Robot, Nina, and scenes involving Nazis and confrontations between Rick Flag Sr. and Dr. Phosphorus.

Gunn emphasized the importance of maintaining consistency across all DC Studios projects, including film, TV, animation, and gaming. Characters, histories, and actors should remain the same regardless of the medium. For instance, Viola Davis reprises her live-action role as Amanda Waller in Creature Commandos, and Frank Grillo’s animated Rick Flag Sr. transitions to live-action for Peacemaker’s second season.

Creature Commandos boasts an impressive lineup of voice actors, including Grillo, Davis, Maria Bakalova, Indira Varma, Zoe Chao, David Harbour, Sean Gunn, Steve Agee, Anya Chalotra, and more. The comic book series, originally created by J.M. DeMatteis and Pat Broderick in 1980, follows Frankenstein’s monster teaming up with other supernatural beings to battle Nazis during World War II. Gunn and Safran’s enthusiasm for the project shines through as they work to bring the series to life while maintaining a sense of unity and consistency within the DC Universe.