DC’s Wild ‘People v. Gorilla Grodd’ Courtroom Battle Lands at Max
HBO Max Orders "The People v. Gorilla Grodd" – A Superhero Mockumentary Series
What Is This Show About?
Imagine a true-crime documentary – like Making a Murderer or The Jinx – but set in a world where superheroes and supervillains are real. That’s exactly what HBO Max is making.
The series is called "The People v. Gorilla Grodd." It’s an eight-episode mockumentary (a fake documentary that looks real) produced by DC Studios.
Important Point
Mockumentary = A comedy filmed in the style of a serious documentary. Think The Office or Parks and Recreation, but for crime stories.
The Story in Simple Terms
- Gorilla Grodd is a super-intelligent, talking gorilla (a classic DC villain).
- He’s been convicted of murdering his own father, the King of Gorilla City (a hidden city of hyper-intelligent apes).
- Jimmy Olsen (Superman’s photographer pal) works at the Daily Planet newspaper.
- Jimmy decides to reopen the case as an eight-part “true crime” docuseries.
- The big question: Was Grodd framed?
Who’s In The Cast?
| Actor | Character | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Jimmy Tatro | Gorilla Grodd | The super-intelligent ape on trial. |
| Skyler Gisondo | Jimmy Olsen | Reprises his role from the 2025 Superman movie. |
| Beck Bennett | Steve Lombard | Daily Planet sportswriter (from Superman movie). |
| Mikaela Hoover | Cat Grant | Daily Planet columnist (from Superman movie). |
| Wendell Pierce | Perry White | Daily Planet editor-in-chief (from Superman movie). |
| Mary Holland | TBA | |
| Eduardo Franco | TBA | Also starred in American Vandal Season 1. |
| Arian Moayed | TBA | |
| Andrew Leeds | TBA | |
| Tim Baltz | TBA | |
| Dan Perrault | TBA | Co-creator also acts in the show. |
Who’s Making It?
The Creative Masterminds
- Tony Yacenda & Dan Perrault – The duo behind:
- "American Vandal" (Netflix) – A hilarious Peabody-winning mockumentary about high school vandalism.
- "Players" (Paramount+) – A mockumentary about eSports.
- Parodies of ESPN’s 30 for 30 (e.g., Rocky IV, Angels in the Outfield).
Their Roles Here
- Writers, Executive Producers, Showrunners (the bosses of the show).
- Tony Yacenda directs all 8 episodes.
- Dan Perrault also appears on-screen as a character.
Big-Name Producers
- James Gunn & Peter Safran (Co-CEOs of DC Studios) – Executive Producers.
- DC Studios & Warner Bros. Television – Production companies.
- Amy Gravitt (Head of HBO/Max Comedy) – Championed the project.
Why Is This Special?
-
It’s Not a Typical Superhero Show
No capes, no CGI battles. It’s a comedy-crime documentary set inside the DC Universe (DCU). -
It Feels Like a Real Artifact from Metropolis
“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.”
– Yacenda & Perrault -
Built on Proven Chemistry
- Gisondo, Bennett, Hoover, and Pierce already played these characters in the 2025 Superman movie.
- Tatro & Franco worked with Yacenda/Perrault on American Vandal.
- True-Crime Parody Done by the Best
The creators defined the modern mockumentary genre with American Vandal.
Key Details at a Glance
- Title: The People v. Gorilla Grodd
- Format: 8-episode mockumentary / true-crime docuseries
- Platform: HBO Max
- Universe: DC Studios (DCU) – connected to the 2025 Superman film
- Production: DC Studios × Warner Bros. Television
- First Reported: November 2025 (by Variety)
- Status: Officially ordered (greenlit)
What Else Is Happening in DC TV?
- Lanterns – A live-action Green Lantern series (John Stewart & Hal Jordan) just premiered.
- Amanda Waller series – No longer in development.
- Wonder Woman prequel (Paradise Lost) – No longer in development.
Important Point
DC Studios (led by Gunn & Safran) is reshaping its TV slate – focusing on unique, creator-driven projects like The People v. Gorilla Grodd instead of just standard superhero fare.
Summary
HBO Max has officially ordered eight episodes of "The People v. Gorilla Grodd," a mockumentary series from DC Studios. The show follows Jimmy Olsen (Skyler Gisondo, reprising his Superman movie role) as he hosts a true-crime documentary investigating whether Gorilla Grodd (Jimmy Tatro) – a genius ape – was wrongly convicted of killing his father, the King of Gorilla City.
The series is created by Tony Yacenda & Dan Perrault (the minds behind American Vandal and Players), who also write, produce, and showrun. Yacenda directs all episodes; Perrault acts in it. James Gunn & Peter Safran executive produce. Much of the Daily Planet cast from the 2025 Superman film returns. The tone aims to feel like a real documentary from inside the DCU – blending comedy, crime, and superhero lore.
This greenlight arrives as DC Studios pivots its TV strategy – launching Lanterns while cancelling the Amanda Waller and Paradise Lost projects.
FAQ
Is this a kids’ show?
No. It’s a comedy for teens and adults – think American Vandal or The Office set in Metropolis. Expect sharp satire, not Saturday-morning cartoons.
Do I need to watch the 2025 Superman movie first?
Not required, but it helps! The Daily Planet cast (Jimmy, Perry, Steve, Cat) are the same actors. The show treats the movie as backstory.
Is Gorilla Grodd a real gorilla or CGI?
Likely a mix: Jimmy Tatro performs the role (voice + motion capture), enhanced with VFX. The mockumentary style lets them play with the “guy in a suit” trope for laughs.
Will Superman or Batman appear?
Probably not as main characters. The show focuses on street-level Metropolis – the Daily Planet newsroom, the courts, the alleys. Big heroes might be mentioned or seen on TV screens in-universe.
When does it come out?
No official release date yet. With an 8-episode order just confirmed, expect late 2026 or 2027 on HBO Max.