James Gunn and Peter Safran stepped down as co-CEOs of DC Studios following Skydance’s acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery.
The leadership change arrived just weeks after Skydance finalized its merger with Warner Bros. Discovery. Skydance co-CEOs David Ellison and Ynon Kreiz visited Gunn and Safran at their offices on the Warner Bros. lot in Burbank to deliver the news. Variety reported that the executives were replaced by former Marvel executive Jeremy Latcham, who will serve as president and chief creative officer starting Dec. 1.
In a joint statement, Gunn and Safran reflected on their tenure at the studio. In that time, we helped restore Superman to the heart of DC, while opening new doors and telling new stories in film and television with Peacemaker, Creature Commandos, Lanterns and Clayface,
they said, as quoted by Ars Technica. Both creators intend to return to full-time creative work, with Gunn still attached to write a future project.
During their four years leading the comic book division, the duo operated under a reporting structure where they answered directly to former Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav, who originally hired them in 2022.
James Gunn has released a statement after stepping down as head of DC Studios: “What only the closest people to me have known over the past four years is my time at DC Studios has been trying, to say the least. I dislike the at-times corporate nature of the job (thanks to Peter… pic.twitter.com/pQbrZzh0Ad
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Under the new Skydance leadership, incoming studio head Latcham will report to Skydance film heads Josh Greenstein and Dana Goldberg. Skydance co-CEOs David Ellison and Ynon Kreiz praised the departing executives for launching a new era and leading the company through a period of real transformation.
Gunn and Safran launched the rebooted DC Universe slate with 2025’s Superman,
which grossed $618 million worldwide, according to Yahoo News Singapore. Follow-up projects met mixed commercial results. The summer release Supergirl
brought in $126.4 million globally. Meanwhile, the New Line-budgeted horror film Clayface
grossed $109 million worldwide through its first three weekends against a $40 million budget.
James Gunn's DCU plans will be mostly dismantled, excluding what has already been filmed. (Source: @PuckNews) pic.twitter.com/I59RZYMpeq
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Prior to their departure, the studio’s television slate also expanded under their watch through projects like the John Cena-led series Peacemaker,
an animated show titled Creature Commandos,
and the sci-fi-infused space cop series Lanterns.
Animated projects like the Tom King-written Mister Miracle
series have also been in production, featuring Josh Hutcherson as Scott Free and Mackenzie Davis as Big Barda.
Latcham brings extensive studio experience to his new role, having joined Marvel Studios in 2004 to work alongside Kevin Feige on foundational MCU projects. Skydance motion picture group co-chairs Dana Goldberg and Josh Greenstein praised the appointment. Jeremy brings a deep reverence for DC and its passionate fanbase, recognizing that they are the very foundation of this storied, multigenerational brand,
they said, according to Yahoo News Singapore.
His past credits include working as a producer on major tentpoles such as Iron Man,
Guardians of the Galaxy,
Spider-Man: Homecoming,
and The Avengers.
In his new position, Latcham will oversee the entire creative pipeline, production, talent, and strategy across film, television, and animation.
Production remains underway on several previously announced titles. Gunn wrapped filming on the upcoming sequel Man of Tomorrow,
which is scheduled for release on July 9, 2027. Other projects currently in development include the second installment of The Batman,
which holds a February 18, 2028 release date.
One of the reasons Skydance replaced James Gunn and Peter Safran as the heads of DC Studios had to do with box office. • ‘Supergirl’ was a massive bomb this year. • ‘Superman’s $618M box office was not impressive to Skydance either, as the film lacked “pop culture impact” in… pic.twitter.com/fm5FspCsxx
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The upcoming feature Man of Tomorrow
was intended to serve as a pivotal next step for the interconnected universe, introducing Aaron Pierre’s John Stewart following the events of Lanterns,
bringing back Xolo Maridueña as Blue Beetle, and featuring Adria Arjona in a mystery role widely anticipated to be Wonder Woman.
Jeremy Latcham will take over as head of DC Studios following the exits of James Gunn and Peter Safran. He will oversee DC’s film, television and animation slate, leading the entire creative pipeline, production, talent and overall strategy. (https://t.co/I6k9iJKKXC) pic.twitter.com/8yAqxklGnJ
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