James Gunn Teases Progress on Viola Davis’, 60 Amanda Waller Series

James Gunn’s Amanda Waller series: Still Stuck in Development Hell. Look, we’ve all been there. You promise your friend you’ll help them move, then suddenly you’re “really busy” for the next six months. Well, it seems like James Gunn might be pulling a similar move with the Amanda Waller series – except instead of avoiding heavy furniture, he’s apparently avoiding script deadlines.

Amanda Waller Series Still in the Works

In what can only be described as the most polite way to say “it’s complicated,” Gunn recently told PEOPLE.com that he and DC Studios co-CEO Peter Safran are still “working on” the Amanda Waller series starring Viola Davis. But here’s the kicker – he followed that up with the cinematic equivalent of “my dog ate my homework”: “Some things have moved faster than others. Waller’s not been the fastest.”

Now, before we start throwing shade at Gunn’s project management skills, let’s give credit where it’s due. The man has been juggling more DC projects than a circus performer with commitment issues. Between Peacemaker’s second season, Superman’s reboot, and whatever other superhero shenanigans are brewing, it’s honestly impressive that he remembers Amanda Waller exists at all.

Peter Safran, bless his honest heart, was even more direct earlier this year when he told The Hollywood Reporter that the Amanda Waller series has been “a bumpy road.” Translation: they’ve probably written more drafts than a fantasy football enthusiast during waiver season. “We’ve taken a couple of cracks at it but still haven’t been able to land,” Safran admitted, which is basically Hollywood speak for “we’re still figuring out what the hell we’re doing.”

Here’s where things get interesting, though. Gunn made a bold statement on X (because where else do directors make career-defining proclamations?) that DC Studios “will never start production on a process if the script isn’t finished. Quality is the utmost priority.” On the one hand, you have to respect the commitment to not rushing out garbage to meet a deadline.

The Script Quality vs Speed Dilemma

We’ve all seen what happens when studios prioritize speed over substance – looking at you, every rushed superhero sequel that shall remain nameless but rhymes with “Schustice Schmague.” On the other hand, when Peacemaker season two is already wrapped and ready to go, while the Amanda Waller series is still in script purgatory, you start to wonder if maybe perfectionism has become procrastination in a fancy suit.

What Makes Amanda Waller So Complicated? Let’s be real here – Amanda Waller isn’t precisely the most straightforward character to write for. She’s morally ambiguous, politically charged, and operates in the gray areas that make network executives break out in stress hives. Writing compelling television around a character whose job description basically amounts to “government-sanctioned supervillain wrangler” requires some serious narrative gymnastics.

Viola Davis absolutely killed it as Waller in the Suicide Squad films, bringing that perfect blend of intimidation and intelligence that makes the character so compelling. When Gunn says he “can’t wait to see Viola put on their Waller pants again,” you can practically feel his excitement through the interview. But excitement doesn’t write scripts, unfortunately. The truth is, the Amanda Waller series represents a bigger challenge than just getting one show off the ground.

It’s about fitting a complex, morally questionable character into Gunn and Safran’s broader DCU vision without alienating audiences or creating continuity nightmares. Unlike Peacemaker, which Gunn described as requiring only “a couple of minor permutations” to fit into the new DCU, Waller’s story threads are more complicated. 

Final Thoughts

Maybe the real question isn’t when the Amanda Waller series will finally happen, but whether the wait will ultimately be worth it. Because, at this point, after all the delays, rewrites, and “bumpy roads,” this show better be phenomenal when it finally sees the light of day. Until then, we’ll have to content ourselves with Gunn’s promise that quality comes first, even if that means playing the world’s most expensive waiting game with one of DC’s most fascinating characters.