UPDATE: A new set video shows Gorilla Grodd singing a cover of "As Long as You Love Me" by the Backstreet Boys, a sentence we never expected to write, and you never expected to read...
The People vs. Gorilla Grodd is currently shooting in Atlanta, Georgia, and the upcoming comedy series looks seriously weird (and not necessarily in a bad way). Now, we have an HD look at the super-intelligent gorilla performing a musical number.
He's already been spotted in a graduation gown and smart clothes, leading to speculation that DC Studios is shooting either a montage of his time at Metropolis University, or perhaps an opening credits sequence.
As you can see below, Grodd is decked out in formal wear and joined by similarly smart-dressed men and women who are singing and dancing. It's hard to say for sure, but this seems to be an a cappella group, which isn't what anyone expected from the DCU's take on the iconic Flash villain.
The Flash TV series treated Grodd as a credible threat to the Fastest Man Alive, but DC Studios is taking a more comedic approach. However, while this series doesn't seem to be portraying him as a serious villain, it's worth noting that Creature Commandos hinted at Grodd becoming a major threat down the line.
It's also worth noting that, while there's a man in an ape suit on set, the character will likely be created by VFX in the series. At the very least, we'd expect this stand-in's face to be enhanced with CG.
The People v. Gorilla Grodd follows a superintelligent ape who is convicted of murdering his father, the King of Gorilla City. In an eight-part "true" crime docuseries, the Daily Planet's Jimmy Olsen reopens the case, investigating whether Gorilla Grodd was wrongly convicted in one of Metropolis' most famous murder trials.
The Max Original comedy stars Skyler Gisondo as Jimmy Olsen, Jimmy Tatro as Gorilla Grodd, and Superman actors Beck Bennett as Steve Lombard, Mikaela Hoover as Cat Grant, and Wendell Pierce as Perry White.
The series also stars Mary Holland, Eduardo Franco, Arian Moayed, Dan Perrault, Andrew Leeds, and Tim Baltz. Their respective roles have not been revealed. Tony Yacenda and Dan Perrault will serve as showrunners, writers, and executive producers, with Yacenda set to direct all episodes. James Gunn and Peter Safran also serve as executive producers.
James Gunn and Peter Safran, executive producers and DC Studios' co-CEOs, have said, "Between Skyler’s wonderful performance and the fantastic chemistry of the Daily Planet cast, we knew coming out of 'Superman' that this would be a fun world to explore."
"We're excited to work with the brilliant Dan Perrault and Tony Yacenda to take the audience down some of the darker and funnier streets and alleyways of the DCU as Jimmy spotlights the Metropolis criminal justice system for his docuseries," they concluded.
The People vs. Gorilla Grodd will likely premiere on HBO Max in 2027 or 2028.