DC Studios Reportedly Drops Waller and Paradise Lost From Its HBO Plans

DC Studios’ ambitious plans for the new DC Universe appear to be getting another major shake-up.

According to a new report from The Ankler, two previously announced HBO projects — Waller and Paradise Lost — are reportedly no longer moving forward at the network. The development marks another significant change to the original slate unveiled by James Gunn and Peter Safran in 2023.

Both series were originally positioned as important pieces of the first chapter of the rebooted DC Universe, but neither managed to progress to production.

What Happened to Waller?

Waller was designed as a spin-off centered on Amanda Waller, the powerful government official played by Viola Davis.

When Gunn and Safran first announced the project, they revealed that Davis would return alongside members of the Peacemaker team. Writers Christal Henry and Jeremy Carver were also attached, with the series planned as a story connecting the first and second seasons of Peacemaker.

However, the project struggled to gain momentum. Even as recently as 2025, DC Studios executives had indicated that Waller was still being worked on, although it had experienced a difficult development process.

The latest report now suggests that HBO is no longer moving ahead with the series.

For fans of Viola Davis’ version of Amanda Waller, that does not necessarily mean the character is disappearing from the DC Universe. Waller remains an established part of the franchise, and the character could potentially appear in other DC projects.

Paradise Lost Also Appears to Be Finished

The second reported casualty is Paradise Lost, the Wonder Woman-related series that was announced as part of Chapter One: Gods and Monsters.

The project was envisioned as a fantasy political drama set on Themyscira, the island home of the Amazons. Gunn and Safran compared its tone to Game of Thrones, with the story exploring the political conflicts, power struggles and history of the Amazon society long before Diana’s birth.

Unlike a conventional Wonder Woman origin story, Paradise Lost was intended to explore the society that existed before Diana became the hero audiences know.

The project had already faced uncertainty earlier this year, with reports suggesting that development had stalled. The latest information now indicates that HBO has moved on from the series.

Another Sign of the DCU’s Changing Direction

The reported fate of Waller and Paradise Lost highlights just how different the DCU’s roadmap has become from the one originally announced in 2023.

Gunn and Safran initially presented a broad collection of films and television projects designed to establish the foundations of the new universe. Some projects have progressed, while others have encountered delays, creative changes or been shelved altogether.

At the same time, DC Studios has continued developing new projects outside that original lineup, suggesting that the franchise is becoming more selective about which ideas ultimately receive the green light.

The changes also come as the studio continues to focus on projects that can strengthen the wider DCU rather than simply filling out the original slate.

What This Means for the DCU

The loss of Waller and Paradise Lost does not mean DC Studios is abandoning television. Several other projects remain part of its broader plans, including Lanterns, Booster Gold and the animated Mister Miracle. A new Wonder Woman movie is also in development, giving the Amazonian hero a potential path back to the center of the DCU.

For Paradise Lost in particular, the decision could ultimately allow DC Studios to concentrate on introducing Wonder Woman herself before expanding deeper into Themysciran mythology.

Meanwhile, Amanda Waller remains a valuable supporting character within the DCU, meaning her story may simply continue in a different form.

Geeksterr Take

The reported shelving of Waller and Paradise Lost shows that DC Studios is willing to rethink even projects that were once presented as foundational pieces of the new universe. While it is disappointing for fans who were excited about a deeper look at Amanda Waller and the Amazons of Themyscira, focusing on fewer projects could ultimately give the DCU a clearer direction.

For now, both shows appear to be another reminder that announced does not always mean guaranteed in the ever-changing world of superhero television.