DC Studios’ most delightfully unhinged streaming experiment has found its telepathic primate. Following a week of intense negotiation rumors, Deadline has officially comicvibe.com/playstation-plus-game-catalog-for-july-2026-confirmed/” title=”PlayStation Plus Game Catalog for July 2026 Confirmed”>confirmed that Jimmy Tatro (Scream 7, American Vandal) has officially closed a deal to portray the iconic DC Comics villain Gorilla Grodd in the upcoming live-action Jimmy Olsen spinoff series.
The casting marks a major reunion for the actor, who will be re-teaming withAmerican VandalcreatorsDan PerraultandTony Yacenda, who are locked in to write, executive produce, and showrun the highly anticipated project.
However, hidden behind the high-profile casting, stands one significant caveat: HBO Max has still not officially greenlit the series.
Despite the lack of an official series order from the streamer, the gears behind the scenes are moving at a rapid pace. The project is designed as a live-action spinoff to James Gunn‘s Superman saga, with Skyler Gisondo locked in to reprise his role as the Daily Planet’s favorite photographer and Superman’s pal, Jimmy Olsen.
James Gunn has previously clarified that this is inherently “both a Jimmy Olsen and a Gorilla Grodd show,” leaning heavily into high-concept comedy. Having the creators of Netflix’s critically acclaimed AmericanVandal steer the ship—with Tatro bringing his signature, dry comedic timing to the mind-controlling ape—ensures the project is aiming for a highly unique aesthetic.
Despite not having been given the green light by the steaming service, Co-CEO Peter Safran previously let slip that the Jimmy Olsen/Grodd series, reportedly titled American Crime, bis targeting a production start window in Atlanta later this year—likely kicking off in late August as Man of Tomorrow wraps up primary filming. The aggressive casting of Tatro indicates that Gunn and Safran are confident the formal HBO Max series order is a mere formality.
