Jimmy Tatro Reportedly Eyed to Play Gorilla Grodd in DC’s Jimmy Olsen Spinoff Series

DC Studios may have found its Gorilla Grodd.

According to a new report from Deadline, Jimmy Tatro is in talks to join the upcoming live-action Jimmy Olsen spinoff series for HBO Max, with the actor reportedly being eyed to portray the iconic DC Comics villain Gorilla Grodd. While the project has yet to receive an official series order, the casting rumor marks another intriguing step forward for one of the most unique entries planned for James Gunn and Peter Safran’s growing DC Universe.

The untitled series will see Skyler Gisondo reprise his role as Daily Planet photographer Jimmy Olsen following his debut in Superman. Rather than following a traditional superhero format, the show is reportedly being developed as a true-crime style mockumentary in which Jimmy investigates some of the DC Universe’s most notorious villains. The first season is expected to center on Gorilla Grodd, making the legendary telepathic ape the focus of the series.

For fans unfamiliar with the character, Gorilla Grodd is one of The Flash’s greatest enemies. A hyper-intelligent gorilla with immense psychic abilities, Grodd possesses telepathy, mind control, and superhuman strength. He’s long been one of DC’s most formidable villains, frequently attempting to dominate both humanity and the animal kingdom through his extraordinary mental powers.

Tatro has steadily built an impressive résumé over the past several years, earning praise for his comedic performances in projects like American Vandal, Home Economics, and more recently joining the cast of Scream 7. His mix of comedy and charisma could make him an interesting fit for a project that appears to lean heavily into satire while still expanding the larger DC Universe.

The series is being developed by Dan Perrault and Tony Yacenda, the creative duo behind American Vandal, who are attached as writers, executive producers, and showrunners. James Gunn and Peter Safran will also executive produce the project as part of DC Studios’ interconnected slate.

One noteworthy detail is that the reported working title, DC Crime, may not be the show’s final name. James Gunn has previously pushed back on reports that the series carries that title, suggesting the project is still evolving behind the scenes.

As of now, neither DC Studios nor HBO Max has officially confirmed Tatro’s casting, and the actor is reportedly only in talks for the role. Still, if the deal comes together, Gorilla Grodd could become one of the first major comic book villains to receive a season-long spotlight in the new DC Universe rather than serving as a one-off antagonist.

With Jimmy Olsen investigating some of DC’s strangest criminals and Gorilla Grodd leading the charge, the series already looks like one of the most unconventional projects on DC Studios’ upcoming slate.