James Gunn and Peter Safran are stepping down as co-chairmen and CEOs of DC Studios after four years running the company's film, television, and animation slate. Marvel veteran Jeremy Latcham will replace them as president and chief creative officer, effective December 1, TVLine reported.
The change comes weeks after Skydance took over Warner Bros. Discovery. In a statement on Monday, Gunn said his time running the studio had been "trying, to say the least" and that he was relieved to return to filmmaking.
Gunn Explains Why He's Leaving
In a post shared on social media, Gunn thanked fans and praised Safran as both a brilliant partner and a close friend. He also described the highs of the job, including releasing Superman and Clayface, making Peacemaker, and making Man of Tomorrow, which he called the best filmmaking experience of his life.
But he said only those closest to him knew how difficult the role had been. He wrote that he disliked the corporate side of the job, which Safran had largely handled, and that he had given up even the short breaks he usually takes between films. He added that he would miss the people and the characters, but was excited to get back to pure filmmaking.
The pair are leaving their executive roles about a year before their contracts were set to expire, according to GeekTyrant.
A New Era Under Skydance
The shake-up follows Paramount Skydance's acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, which Parade, citing Variety, valued at $111 billion. Gunn and Safran had been named to David Ellison's leadership team after the deal, which made the departure unexpected.
Ellison and co-CEO Ynon Kreiz said Gunn and Safran had reset DC Studios' foundation and built a slate they are proud of, according to Reactor. They also said they had full confidence in a smooth transition to Latcham.
Latcham previously served as Marvel's senior vice president of production and development, working on the Iron Man, Spider-Man, and Avengers franchises. Gunn and Safran said they were eager to see the perspective he brings to DC.
The Gunn-Safran Era at a Glance
Gunn and Safran took over DC Studios on November 1, 2022, tasked with building a connected universe across film, TV, and animation. Their first chapter, "Gods and Monsters," launched in December 2024 with the animated series Creature Commandos.
Project
Format
Notes
Creature Commandos (2024)
Animated series
Launched the new DC Universe
Superman (2025)
Film
Written and directed by Gunn; about $618 million worldwide
Peacemaker
Series
Continued under the new DCU
Supergirl (2026)
Film
Disappointed at the box office
Lanterns
Series
Season 1 ended in October; not yet renewed
Clayface
Film
Released under Gunn and Safran
What Comes Next
Gunn isn't leaving DC behind. He wrote and directed Man of Tomorrow, the follow-up to Superman, which is set for release on July 9, 2027, according to AOL. He also said he has been hired to write another DC project, though he did not name it.
Gunn and Safran will also stay creatively involved in some DC projects, including the HBO Max series The People v. Gorilla Grodd. It is not yet clear what will happen to the rest of their slate under Latcham.