Introduction
On February 17, 2026, James Gunn – the current co-CEO of DC Studios and one of the most influential creative voices in superhero cinema – posted a single, cryptic image to his verified social media accounts: a classic Rhett and Link “Good Mythical Morning” thumbnail style photo, but with the duo wearing stylized versions of classic DC superhero costumes. The caption read:
“Some myths are real. Rhett & Link are joining the DCU. Details soon. #MythicalDC”
Within minutes the internet exploded. The announcement of James Gunn Announces Rhett and Link became the number-one trending topic on X (Twitter), TikTok, Reddit, and YouTube simultaneously. The YouTube duo best known for absurd food challenges, bizarre taste tests, and wholesome morning-show energy suddenly being linked to the gritty, interconnected world of the DC Universe felt like the most surreal piece of casting/news in years.
This 2,500-word deep dive explains everything we currently know (and can reasonably infer) about the project, the creative vision behind it, how it fits into Gunn’s larger DCU strategy, why Rhett & Link specifically, what format the project might take, potential story ideas, fan reactions, business implications, and where this bizarre but potentially brilliant crossover could go.
Who Are Rhett and Link? (Quick Primer for the Uninitiated)
Rhett McLaughlin and Link Neal have been creating content together since they were elementary-school best friends in Buies Creek, North Carolina. They started posting videos on YouTube in 2006 under the name “Rhett & Link,” but it wasn’t until the launch of their daily morning-show format Good Mythical Morning (GMM) in 2012 that they became internet-famous.
By 2026 GMM is one of the longest-running daily shows on YouTube, with over 5,000 episodes, more than 18 million subscribers on the main channel, and a second channel (Mythical Kitchen) that has another 8+ million subscribers. Their content style is deliberately absurd, wholesome, and relentlessly positive – a stark contrast to much of the cynicism and edginess found elsewhere online.
Key elements of their brand include:
- Will It? food challenges (Will It Taco? Will It Taco Bell?)
- Taste tests of bizarre international snacks
- “Mythical” branded products (cereal, hot sauce, cookbooks, plushies)
- Live tours and live shows
- A very public commitment to kindness, mental health awareness, and family-friendly entertainment
They are not actors in the traditional sense. They have appeared in small comedic roles (mostly self-parodies), but they have never carried a scripted narrative series or film. That makes James Gunn Announces Rhett and Link even more surprising.
The Announcement That Broke the Internet
On the morning of February 17, 2026 (U.S. time), James Gunn uploaded three images in a single post:
- Rhett & Link in GMM set wearing red-and-blue superhero-inspired outfits
- A black-and-white photo of the duo as children dressed as Superman and Batman
- A modern mock-up of Rhett and Link standing in front of a classic DC Comics logo with the text “Mythical Justice” underneath
The caption (quoted earlier) was deliberately vague. Within 45 minutes the post had over 1.2 million likes and 380,000 reposts. The hashtag #MythicalDC trended worldwide for over 14 hours.
Later that day, during a live episode of Good Mythical Morning, Rhett and Link addressed the announcement:
Rhett: “We can’t tell you everything yet… but yes, it’s real. Yes, we’re scared. Yes, it’s awesome.”
Link: “We’ve been working on this quietly for almost two years. James is… James is James. He’s very intense in the best way.”
They confirmed they are not playing existing DC characters (i.e. not Batman, Superman, etc.), but rather “new characters within the DCU.” Gunn later retweeted the GMM clip and added: “They’re not playing themselves. They’re playing versions of themselves that have never existed before. That’s all you get for now.”
This immediately spawned two main theories:
- They are playing a comedic version of the Blue Beetle / Booster Gold dynamic – two non-traditional heroes who gain powers and become reluctant partners.
- They are starring in a MythBusters-style DCU series that debunks or tests superhero “myths” within the universe.
Both theories gained traction online.
How Did This Even Happen? The Origin Story
According to comments from both sides, the collaboration began indirectly in late 2023.
- James Gunn, then newly appointed co-CEO of DC Studios, had been watching GMM episodes during late-night writing sessions.
- He became fascinated with Rhett & Link’s chemistry – the way they could pivot from absurd comedy to surprisingly sincere moments.
- In early 2024, Gunn’s assistant reached out to Mythical (Rhett & Link’s company) to explore the possibility of a one-off guest appearance or branded content for an upcoming DC project.
- The conversation quickly escalated when Rhett & Link expressed genuine interest in doing something more ambitious – a proper scripted project set in the DCU.
- Gunn flew to Burbank to meet them in person. Multiple sources say the meeting lasted over four hours and ended with a handshake agreement to develop something original.
Development was kept extremely quiet. Even most Mythical staff didn’t know the full scope until late 2025. The project was referred to internally only as “Mythical Justice” (a placeholder title that may or may not be final).
What We Know About the Project So Far
As of February 2026, the following has been officially or semi-officially confirmed:
- It is not a traditional movie.
- It is not a straight comedy series.
- It is not a reboot or adaptation of an existing DC property.
- It is a new original story set within the DC Universe.
- Rhett and Link are lead characters (not cameos).
- The tone will be “funny but not parody” – closer to The Suicide Squad or Peacemaker than The Lego Batman Movie.
- Production is scheduled to begin in summer 2026.
- It is being developed for both theatrical and streaming release (exact format still unclear).
- James Gunn is writing the pilot/first episode and will executive produce.
- The working title is still “Mythical Justice,” though that may change.
Several credible outlets (including Variety and The Wrap) have reported that the project is a limited series (6–8 episodes) with potential for continuation if successful.
Possible Story Concepts
While nothing is confirmed, the following concepts have been widely discussed:
- Mythical Investigators of the DCU Rhett and Link play exaggerated versions of themselves who discover they can “see through myths” – i.e., they can detect when something supernatural or superhuman is real. They become reluctant consultants for ARGUS or the Justice League, debunking fake supernatural events while occasionally stumbling into genuine threats.
- Booster Gold / Blue Beetle Spiritual Successors They play two ordinary best friends who accidentally acquire low-level superpowers (or tech) and decide to become heroes – but they’re terrible at it. The comedy comes from their incompetence; the heart comes from their unbreakable friendship.
- Reality-Warping Meta-Comedy They play content creators whose videos start affecting reality (a la Deadpool-style fourth-wall breaks but with a DCU twist). This would allow crossovers with established DC characters while keeping the tone playful.
- Time-Traveling MythBusters They gain the ability to travel through time and must “debunk” historical myths that threaten the timeline – a setup that lets them interact with different eras of the DCU.
James Gunn’s personal comments (“They’re playing versions of themselves that have never existed before”) seem to lean toward options 1 or 2.
Why James Gunn Chose Rhett & Link
Gunn has repeatedly praised their authenticity and chemistry. In a 2026 interview clip that leaked online, he said:
“I needed people who could be funny without punching down, who could be sincere without being saccharine, and who could carry a story without being traditional leading men. Rhett and Link do all of that naturally. Plus they’re just really, really funny.”
He also cited their massive, loyal audience (over 18 million YouTube subscribers) and their proven ability to pivot between comedy and heartfelt moments – exactly the tonal balance he’s aiming for in the new DCU.
Challenges Ahead
Despite the excitement, several challenges loom:
- Tone risk — Balancing the wholesome Mythical brand with the darker elements of the DCU could alienate fans of either.
- Acting leap — Rhett & Link have never carried a scripted narrative series before. The pressure will be immense.
- Fan expectations — Some DC fans are skeptical of “YouTubers” entering the cinematic universe.
- Budget and scope — Gunn’s projects are known for big action set pieces. Can a YouTube-rooted project match that scale?
Potential Impact on Both Brands
If successful, this could:
- Elevate Rhett & Link from YouTube stars to mainstream actors
- Bring younger viewers to the DCU
- Prove that non-traditional casting can work in superhero media
- Create a new hybrid content model (YouTube + premium streaming)
If it fails, it could damage Gunn’s reputation for bold choices and make studios more hesitant about non-actor casting.
Conclusion
The announcement that James Gunn Announces Rhett and Link has sent shockwaves through both the comic-book and YouTube communities. Whether this turns into a beloved cult classic, a mainstream hit, or a cautionary tale remains to be seen. What is certain is that it represents one of the most unexpected and intriguing crossovers in modern entertainment history.
FAQ
Q1: Is this real? Did James Gunn really announce a Rhett & Link project? As of February 17, 2026, yes – the announcement is real. Gunn posted it himself and Rhett & Link confirmed it on GMM. However, very few concrete details have been released beyond “it’s happening.”
Q2: Are Rhett and Link actually going to be in the DCU? Yes, according to both Gunn and the Mythical duo. They are not playing existing characters; they are playing new original characters created for this project.
Q3: What kind of project is it – movie or series? Current reporting points to a limited series (6–8 episodes) with potential theatrical elements. The exact format is still being finalized.
Q4: When will we get more details? No official date has been given, but most insiders expect a larger announcement (title, first look, release window) sometime between April and July 2026.
Q5: Will this be canon to the main DCU? Yes, according to Gunn’s comments. It is being developed as part of the new DC Universe timeline.
Q6: Are Rhett and Link trained actors? They have done some acting (mostly comedic self-parodies), but this will be their first time leading a scripted narrative project of this scale.
Q7: Will this be family-friendly like Good Mythical Morning? Probably not. Gunn has indicated the tone will be closer to The Suicide Squad / Peacemaker – funny but with adult content, language, and violence.
Q8: Are there any leaked character names or concepts? Not yet. The only confirmed information is that they are “versions of themselves that have never existed before.”
Q9: How are fans reacting? Reactions are extremely polarized: excitement from Mythical beasts and Gunn fans, confusion and skepticism from traditional DC fans.
Q10: Will this be funny or serious? According to Gunn: “Funny but not parody.” Expect humor that comes from character and situation rather than breaking the fourth wall constantly.