When James Gunn and Peter Safran announced several new DCU projects, the HBO Max animated seriesCreature Commandoswas among them. Recently, James Gunn provided a new update on how far alongCreature Commandosis with casting.Creature Commandosis a little-known comic series that started in 1980, with a few iterations over the past three decades. The group contains a lineup of classic horror monsters like Frankenstein, Medusa, a werewolf, a vampire, and more. However, the cast of characters for the HBO MaxDC Universeseries differs from its comic book inspiration.RELATED:DC: Comic Storylines We Hope Appear In James Gunn’s DCUIn a recent update via Twitter, James Gunn announced that the series is “Starting production; almost done casting.” This is a significant step in development as audiences await the new DC Studios' vision for its characters. James Gunn’s version includes Rick Flag Sr., Eric Frankenstein, Dr. Nina Mazursky (a “gill-man” similar to that inCreature from the Black Lagoon), G.I. Robot (an android), Doctor Phosphorus (a radioactive Batman villain), Weasel, and with The Bride of Frankenstein acting as the lead. The original comic takes place in 1948 with the monsters fighting Nazis. The show has diverged to include Amanda Waller,reprised by Viola Davis.
The team was created by a secret US government unit called Project M. and shares similar traits with Waller’s Project Cadmus. More strikingly, the comicCreature Commandosis as unknown as many of the villains inJames Gunn’s roster forThe Suicide Squad. The comics alone feature storylines that crossover into more famous DC titles, namelySuperman. James Gunn’s version promises even more immediate connections to other DC projects with the addition of Doctor Phosphorus, Weasel, Amanda Waller, and Rick Flag Sr. The latter’s involvement does create more mystery surrounding the setting, as he is either the great-grandfather or grandfather of the Rick Flag featured in James Gunn’sThe Suicide Squad.Rick Sr. lived during WWII in DC Comics whenCreature Commandoswere also created in the comic universe.
The only cast member announced thus far has been Viola Davis as Amanda Waller and Sean Gunn as Weasel. Waller and Weasel have apparent connections to theSuicide Squad, and Doctor Phosphorus is connected to the Bat Family. James Gunn has proven himself to be creative while honoring DC’s source material in his work. This begs the question of what will happen in this new series and how closely it will mirror its comic origins.Creature Commandos' comic book plot includes theall-powerful Superman villain Brainiac, another potential tie to the rest of DCU. The inclusion of characters from the modern era and WWII, with new additions by Gunn, adds to the series' obscurity.
Perhaps the team of monsters will begin fighting Nazis and be reanimated by Waller? Maybe they’re sent back in time to meet Flag Sr? All audiences can do is guess asCreature Commandosbegins production for its premiere on HBO Max.
