DC Puts Gorilla Grodd on Trial: ‘People v.’ Series Set for HBO Max
HBO Max Orders "The People v. Gorilla Grodd": A True Crime Mockumentary Set in the DC Universe
What Is This Show All About?
Imagine if Making a Murderer or Serial took place in a world where Superman flies over Metropolis and a super-intelligent gorilla runs a hidden city. That’s exactly what HBO Max is cooking up with "The People v. Gorilla Grodd" — an eight-episode mockumentary series from DC Studios.
Important Point
A mockumentary is a fake documentary — a comedy filmed in the style of a serious non-fiction show. Think The Office meets True Crime.
The Premise: A Gorilla on Trial
Here’s the official logline (that’s Hollywood speak for "the one-sentence pitch"):
A superintelligent ape (Tatro) is convicted of murdering his father, the King of Gorilla City. In an eight-part ‘true’ crime docuseries, the Daily Planet’s Jimmy Olsen (Gisondo) reopens the case, investigating whether Gorilla Grodd was wrongly convicted in one of Metropolis’ most famous murder trials.
Breaking It Down (ELI5 Style)
- Gorilla Grodd = A super-smart, telepathic gorilla from the comics. Usually a villain. Now? The accused.
- Gorilla City = A hidden, hyper-advanced city of intelligent apes. His dad was the King.
- Jimmy Olsen = Superman’s photographer pal. Here, he’s an investigative journalist making a documentary.
- The Twist = The show pretends it’s a real documentary made by the Daily Planet for the people of Metropolis.
Who’s In It?
Main Cast
| Actor | Role | Where You Know Them From |
|---|---|---|
| Skyler Gisondo | Jimmy Olsen | Superman (2025), The Righteous Gemstones |
| Jimmy Tatro | Gorilla Grodd | American Vandal, Home Economics |
| Beck Bennett | Steve Lombard | Saturday Night Live |
| Mikaela Hoover | Cat Grant | Guardians of the Galaxy, Superman (2025) |
| Wendell Pierce | Perry White | The Wire, Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan |
Supporting Cast
- Mary Holland (Happiest Season)
- Eduardo Franco (American Vandal, Stranger Things)
- Arian Moayed (Succession)
- Andrew Leeds (The Good Place)
- Tim Baltz (The Righteous Gemstones)
Important Point
Eduardo Franco and Jimmy Tatro both starred in Season 1 of American Vandal — the show that made the creators famous. They’re reuniting the band!
The Masterminds Behind the Camera
Tony Yacenda & Dan Perrault
- Roles: Writers, Executive Producers, Showrunners
- Famous For: Creating American Vandal (Netflix)
- Won a Peabody Award (huge deal in TV)
- Emmy-nominated for Best Comedy Writing
- Also Created: Players (Paramount+, eSports mockumentary)
- Parody Pros: Spoofed ESPN’s 30 for 30 with fake docs on Rocky IV and Angels in the Outfield
Tony Yacenda
- Also Directing: All 8 episodes
James Gunn & Peter Safran
- Roles: Executive Producers
- Titles: Co-CEOs of DC Studios
- Why It Matters: They’re the architects of the new DC Universe (DCU). This show is part of their grand plan.
Why This Is Different From Other Superhero Shows
Important Point
This isn’t a typical superhero show. No capes. No CGI battles. No "save the world" plots.
What the Creators Say:
"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."
What HBO Says (Amy Gravitt, Comedy Chief):
"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."
What Gunn & Safran Say:
"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."
How We Got Here: Timeline
- November 2025 — Variety first reports the show is in development
- 2025 — Superman movie releases; Gisondo debuts as Jimmy Olsen
- Now — HBO Max officially orders 8 episodes
- Bonus Context: Announced days after Lanterns (Green Lantern show) premieres
- Also This Week: Reports that Amanda Waller series and Wonder Woman prequel (Paradise Lost) are no longer in development
Production Details
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Episodes | 8 |
| Format | Mockumentary / True Crime Parody |
| Production Companies | DC Studios + Warner Bros. Television |
| Streaming Home | HBO Max |
| Tone | Comedy + Mystery + DC Lore |
Summary
- HBO Max greenlights "The People v. Gorilla Grodd" — 8 episodes
- Genre: True crime mockumentary set in the DC Universe
- Stars: Skyler Gisondo (Jimmy Olsen) + Jimmy Tatro (Gorilla Grodd)
- Creators: Tony Yacenda & Dan Perrault (American Vandal legends)
- EPs: James Gunn & Peter Safran (DC Studios bosses)
- Vibe: Serial meets The Office in Metropolis
- Goal: Feel like a real documentary from the DCU, not just a show about it
- Context: Part of new DCU slate; other shows recently cancelled
FAQ
1. Do I need to watch Superman (2025) first?
Not necessarily! But Gisondo’s Jimmy Olsen debuted there, so it’ll feel like a cool continuation if you did. The show is designed to stand on its own.
2. Is Gorilla Grodd a real gorilla or CGI?
Jimmy Tatro plays him — likely a mix of performance capture, prosthetics, and movie magic. The fun is in the performance, not just the effects.
3. What’s "Gorilla City"?
A hidden city in the DC comics populated by hyper-intelligent apes. Grodd is usually its villainous ruler. Here, he’s the accused murderer of its King (his dad).
4. Is this canon to the DCU?
Yes! Gunn and Safran are producing, and the creators call it "an artifact from the DCU." It exists inside the universe — like a show Metropolis citizens would actually watch.
5. When does it come out?
No release date yet. With an 8-episode order just announced, expect late 2026 or 2027. Mockumentaries take time to write, film, and edit perfectly.
Final Thought
If you love true crime podcasts, The Office, and weird DC deep cuts — this might be the most you show ever made. A gorilla on trial. Jimmy Olsen as Sarah Koenig. The American Vandal guys running the show. What’s not to love?