Once again, Superman, Batman, and the rest of the DC superheroes are set to have a new leader.
On Monday, Skydance Motion Picture Group revealed that James Gunn and Peter Safran will be stepping down from their roles as co-chief executives after four years at the helm of DC Studios. Despite their first film as leaders, Superman, having premiered only last year, their time overseeing DC has come to an unexpected conclusion.
Gunn and Safran initially managed to retain their positions following Skydance’s acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. The completion of the studio’s merger with Paramount Pictures coincided with the release of DC’s Clayface.
Nevertheless, it is evident that Gunn and Safran will not remain with the company post-merger. Skydance chairman and CEO David Ellison is instead appointing Jeremy Latcham, a seasoned professional from Marvel Studios, to guide DC into its next phase.
“James and Peter ushered in a new era for DC Studios and managed it through a significant transformation, establishing a foundation and creating a lineup we are immensely proud of,” Ellison stated.
“We appreciate their enthusiasm, contributions, and dedication to this iconic brand.”
Director James Gunn attends the Superman fan event in London’s Leicester Square on July 2, 2025. (ate Green/Getty Images)
Transition takes effect Dec. 1
The transition will take place on December 1. However, a substantial array of projects already in development guarantees that Gunn and Safran’s influence will linger at DC Studios for some time.
Gunn, who helmed Superman, is currently in the post-production phase for the sequel, Man of Tomorrow. Other anticipated DC Studios titles include the series The People v. Gorilla Grodd and The Batman Part II.
Yet, the decade’s worth of plans that Gunn and Safran laid out will not come to realization. Their tenure has been marked by unique comic book adaptations and genre endeavors, such as Clayface, which blended superhero elements with horror.
Earlier this year, Supergirl experienced a disappointing performance, a significant setback during their second release.
Latcham will assume the positions of president and chief creative officer of DC Studios, reporting directly to Dana Goldberg and Josh Greenstein, the co-chairs of Skydance Motion Picture Group.
-
REVIEW
Superman has a problem — and it’s not the film’s commentary on immigration
-
COMMOTION
Supergirl is not doing super well at the box office. Here’s why
Latcham has been a key executive behind Marvel productions, including the early phases of the Marvel Cinematic Universe with titles like Iron Man and The Avengers. He also collaborated with Gunn and Safran on Guardians of the Galaxy.
‘My time at DC Studios has been trying’: Gunn
Following the announcement of their exit, both released an official statement praising DC Studios and specifically Latcham. However, in a personal message posted on his Instagram, Gunn alluded to some of the challenges he faced while directing at the studio.
“What only my closest friends have known over the last four years is that my experience at DC Studios has been challenging, to put it mildly,” Gunn expressed, referring to the “occasionally corporate nature of the role” and the need to split his focus between projects that did not inspire him creatively.
“So yes, I will miss the people around me, and I will miss being the co-caretaker of these beloved characters, but I am also profoundly relieved and eager to return to pure filmmaking.”