DC’s Gorilla Grodd Goes to Trial: Wild New Comedy Lands at Max
HBO Max Orders "The People v. Gorilla Grodd" — A Superhero True-Crime Mockumentary Explained Simply
What Is This Show All About?
Imagine a true-crime documentary — like Making a Murderer or The Staircase — but set in a world where superheroes and supervillains are real. That’s exactly what HBO Max is making with "The People v. Gorilla Grodd."
- Format: An 8-episode mockumentary (a fake documentary that looks and feels real).
- Premise: A super-intelligent gorilla named Gorilla Grodd (played by Jimmy Tatro) has been convicted of murdering his own father, the King of Gorilla City.
- The Twist: Daily Planet photographer Jimmy Olsen (Skyler Gisondo) reopens the case in a documentary series to find out if Grodd was wrongly convicted.
- Tone: Think American Vandal meets the DC Universe — funny, mysterious, and surprisingly deep.
Important: This isn’t a typical superhero show with capes and punches. It’s a comedy-mystery told through the lens of an in-universe documentary made by the people of Metropolis for the people of Metropolis.
Who’s Making It? (The Creative Dream Team)
| Role | Name(s) | Why They Matter |
|---|---|---|
| Showrunners / Writers / Executive Producers | Tony Yacenda & Dan Perrault | Created American Vandal (Netflix) — a Peabody-winning, Emmy-nominated mockumentary about high school vandalism. Also made Players (Paramount+), a esports mockumentary. |
| Director (All 8 Episodes) | Tony Yacenda | Ensures consistent visual style and comedic timing. |
| Executive Producers | James Gunn & Peter Safran | Co-CEOs of DC Studios. They’re building the new DC Universe (DCU) across film and TV. |
| Production Companies | DC Studios & Warner Bros. Television | The official studios behind the DCU. |
Key Insight: Yacenda and Perrault are mockumentary specialists. They know how to make "fake real" feel authentically real — down to the shaky cam, talking heads, and dramatic music cues.
Meet the Cast — Familiar Faces & New Additions
Returning from the 2025 Superman Movie
| Actor | Character | Role in Superman (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Skyler Gisondo | Jimmy Olsen | Daily Planet photographer — now the documentary’s host/investigator. |
| Beck Bennett | Steve Lombard | Daily Planet sports columnist (and Jimmy’s rival). |
| Mikaela Hoover | Cat Grant | Daily Planet entertainment/gossip columnist. |
| Wendell Pierce | Perry White | Gruff but fair Daily Planet editor-in-chief. |
New to the DCU
| Actor | Character | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Jimmy Tatro | Gorilla Grodd | Super-intelligent telepathic gorilla. Tatro starred in American Vandal Season 1. |
| Eduardo Franco | TBD | Also an American Vandal alum (Season 1). |
| Mary Holland | TBD | Happiest Season, Veep. |
| Arian Moayed | TBD | Succession, Inventing Anna. |
| Andrew Leeds | TBD | The Good Place, Bojack Horseman. |
| Tim Baltz | TBD | The Righteous Gemstones, Shrinking. |
| Dan Perrault | Himself (cameo?) | Co-creator also acts in the series. |
Why This Show Is Different (And Exciting)
1. It’s an "Artifact from the DCU"
“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.” — Yacenda & Perrault
This means: No fourth-wall breaks. No winks at the audience. The show is a documentary that exists inside the DC Universe. Citizens of Metropolis watch it on their version of HBO Max.
2. True-Crime Parody With Heart
Like American Vandal, it uses absurd premises (a talking gorilla on trial) to explore real themes: justice, media bias, institutional corruption, and truth.
3. Expands the Daily Planet Workplace Comedy
We get to see the Daily Planet not just as a backdrop — but as a messy, funny, human workplace with rivalries, egos, and office politics.
4. Jimmy Olsen Gets the Spotlight
Often a sidekick, here Jimmy is the lead investigator — curious, determined, and out of his depth. Perfect for Gisondo’s awkward-charm energy.
Behind the Scenes: The American Vandal Reunion
- Tony Yacenda & Dan Perrault → Creators/Showrunners
- Jimmy Tatro & Eduardo Franco → Stars of American Vandal Season 1
- Dan Perrault → Also acting in the series
This isn’t just a hiring — it’s a creative family reunion. They trust each other’s comedic instincts, which means sharper writing, better improv, tighter pacing.
What This Means for the DC Universe (DCU)
| Project | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| The People v. Gorilla Grodd | 8-episode series ordered | Coming to HBO Max. |
| Lanterns | Premiered recently | Live-action Green Lantern series (John Stewart & Hal Jordan). |
| Amanda Waller Series | No longer in development | Reported cancelled last week. |
| Wonder Woman Prequel (Paradise Lost) | No longer in development | Set on Themyscira. Also reported cancelled. |
Takeaway: DC Studios is pivoting toward weirder, more genre-bending shows — not just standard superhero fare. Gorilla Grodd fits that perfectly.
Summary: Everything You Need to Know
- Title: The People v. Gorilla Grodd
- Platform: HBO Max
- Episodes: 8
- Genre: Mockumentary / True-Crime Comedy / Superhero Mystery
- Lead: Skyler Gisondo as Jimmy Olsen (documentary host)
- Villain/Subject: Jimmy Tatro as Gorilla Grodd (convicted murderer? Or framed?)
- Creators: Tony Yacenda & Dan Perrault (American Vandal)
- EPs: James Gunn & Peter Safran (DC Studios heads)
- Tone: The Office meets Serial — but in Metropolis.
- Why watch: Smart parody, great cast, fresh take on DC lore, and a mystery that might actually surprise you.
FAQ — Your Questions, Answered Simply
1. Do I need to watch the 2025 Superman movie first?
No — but it helps. Gisondo’s Jimmy Olsen was introduced there. You’ll get extra context on his dynamic with Perry, Cat, and Steve. But the show is designed to stand alone.
2. What’s a “mockumentary”?
A fake documentary. It looks like a real doc (interviews, archival footage, narration), but it’s scripted comedy. Think The Office, Parks and Rec, or American Vandal.
3. Is Gorilla Grodd a real DC character?
Yes! He’s a classic Flash villain — a hyper-intelligent, telepathic gorilla from Gorilla City, a hidden advanced civilization. Usually he’s a mind-controlling mastermind. Here? He’s a defendant in a murder trial.
4. Will this be canon in the DCU?
Yes. James Gunn and Peter Safran (who oversee all DCU continuity) are executive producers. The events happened in the universe — and the documentary exists in-universe.
5. When does it come out?
No official release date yet. The series was just ordered (greenlit). Writing, filming, and post-production will take many months. Best guess: late 2026 or 2027.
Final Thought: The People v. Gorilla Grodd isn’t just another superhero show — it’s a bold, weird, hilarious experiment that treats a ridiculous premise with dead-serious documentary craft. If you love American Vandal, true crime, or just want something different from the DCU — keep this on your radar.