The new DC Universe of films and TV series includes heavyweight heroes such as Batman and Superman, new spins on familiar icons such as Supergirl, and a universe of Elseworlds stories where gritty takes on the Joker can thrive. Wedged between all of these projects is a superteam of anti-heroes who have never made it to the big screen before; A squad of pragmatic metahumans known as the Authority.

Essentially an anti-Justice League, the Authority have existed in several shapes and forms since 1999, but never made it beyond the printed page. The closest we've come to an Authority feature film was Superman vs. The Elite in 2012, an adaptation of 2001's Action Comics #775 in which Superman faces off against a vigilante team that's an homage to the Authority.

Fast-forward to now, and the Authority is finally primed for the silver screen as part of the new DC Universe being run by James Gunn and Peter Safran. Described as a very different kind of superhero story that'll be seen in the DCU's Gods and Monsters lineup of projects, Gunn says that the film will lean into the morally grey area of justice that the Authority represents. In case you're wondering just who folks like the Midnighter, Jenny Sparks, and Jack Hawksmoor are, we've prepared a quick breakdown below that'll get you up to speed.