James Gunn is building a new DC Universe that includes well-known heroes like Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman, along with lesser-known characters such as the Creature Commandos and Lobo. However, one hero, Static, also known as Static Shock, appears to be facing some challenges behind the scenes.
Static gained popularity through the animated series Static Shock, which aired on The Kids WB from 2001 to 2004. The show became part of the larger DC Animated Universe, featuring crossovers with Batman: The Animated Series, Superman: The Animated Series, Justice League, and Batman Beyond. Many fans from that era have hoped to see Static appear in a live-action film.
In an interview with Pay or Wait, host Sharronda Williams asked James Gunn about the status of the Static Shock movie, which was first announced at DC Fandome in 2020. Michael B. Jordan was named as a producer soon after. Gunn responded, “No updates on Static Shock. There’s a whole bunch of complexities behind that character right now so I don’t have good news for you on Static Shock.”
Static was created as a main hero for the Milestone Comics line by founders Dwayne McDuffie, Denys Cowan, Michael Davis, Derek T. Dingle, and Christopher Priest. He first appeared in Static #1 in June 1993. Milestone Media stopped publishing comics in 1997. After 2008, Milestone characters were brought into the main DC Universe, and Static joined teams like the Teen Titans. In 2017, Milestone Comics announced a return, relaunching its titles in a separate universe. Static: Season 1, published from June 2021 to March 2022, included many elements from the animated series.
Unlike characters from Charlton or Fawcett Comics, which DC owns, DC does not own Static. DC Comics only distributes and licenses the character, including for appearances in series like Young Justice or a possible live-action film. Milestone Media keeps the copyright and controls merchandising and licensing. Any Static Shock movie would need approval from Milestone, Warner Bros. Pictures, and DC Studios, which James Gunn and Peter Safran lead.
The rights to Static may be even more complicated because Charlotte Fullerton, the widow of Dwayne McDuffie, sued in August 2017 after being left out of the revived Milestone Media, even though she inherited her late husband’s share in the original company. This legal dispute may have affected other projects, including the lack of news about the Milestone Universe animated movie. These issues could be a reason why Gunn and Safran might focus on DC characters they fully control, making it less likely for Static to appear in upcoming films. Fans who hoped to see a live-action Static Shock movie may have to keep waiting.
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