James Gunn and Peter Safran are stepping down from their leadership roles after four years overseeing the DC Universe.
DC Studios is entering another major shakeup as James Gunn and Peter Safran step away from their leadership positions after four years overseeing the DC Universe, bringing an unexpected end to the duo’s ambitious effort to rebuild the superhero franchise across movies, television, and animation.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the leadership change marks a significant turning point for DC Studios under its new corporate ownership. Former Marvel Studios executive Jeremy Latcham is also part of the reported shakeup, bringing experience from one of Hollywood’s most successful interconnected cinematic franchises.
Gunn and Safran took charge of DC Studios in November 2022, introducing an ambitious creative strategy designed to establish a connected DC Universe while allowing filmmakers to explore different genres and storytelling styles.
Their tenure delivered a new Superman, introduced a fresh generation of DC superheroes, expanded the universe through television, and explored darker comic book characters through projects such as Clayface.
However, Gunn’s departure from his executive position does not mean his relationship with DC is over.
James Gunn Breaks His Silence on Leaving DC Studios
In an emotional statement shared with fans, Gunn reflected on the past four years, describing his time running DC Studios as both a dream opportunity and an exhausting experience.
The filmmaker explained that he initially questioned whether he wanted the position but ultimately could not pass up the opportunity to work with characters he had loved since childhood.
Gunn also offered a surprisingly candid look at the personal sacrifices involved in running a major Hollywood studio.
“My time at DC Studios has been trying, to say the least. I dislike the at-times corporate nature of the job.”
He thanked Safran for handling much of the corporate side of their partnership and acknowledged that the demanding workload had taken time away from his loved ones.
Gunn also discussed the difficulty of balancing creative projects he was passionate about with the administrative responsibilities required of a studio executive.
Despite those challenges, he emphasized that his time at DC Studios included some of the most rewarding experiences of his career.
Among the highlights he specifically mentioned were Superman, Clayface, Peacemaker, and his upcoming Superman follow-up, Man of Tomorrow, which he described as his best filmmaking experience so far.
The director reserved special praise for his longtime partner Peter Safran, calling him an exceptional collaborator and close friend.
Gunn Confirms He Is Not Finished With DC
Perhaps the most important takeaway from Gunn’s statement is his confirmation that he and Safran are not necessarily walking away from DC projects entirely.
“That’s not to say Peter and I are immediately done with DC or superheroes.”
Gunn confirmed that Man of Tomorrow remains on the way and revealed that he has already been engaged to write another DC project, although its title and characters have not been announced.
He also reassured fans that the heroes and villains established during his leadership will continue beyond his departure.
“The characters we set up will live on.”
Those remarks suggest that DC Studios’ leadership transition does not automatically mean another complete reboot of its shared universe. However, decisions about the franchise’s long-term creative direction will now fall to the incoming leadership team.
Jeremy Latcham Enters the Picture Following DC Shakeup
The reported involvement of former Marvel Studios executive Jeremy Latcham adds another interesting dimension to the changing leadership at DC Studios.
Latcham helped develop several major Marvel Cinematic Universe productions, including Iron Man, The Avengers, and Spider-Man: Homecoming. His experience working with interconnected superhero stories could prove valuable as DC looks to maintain its growing franchise.
He also produced Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, demonstrating experience with major studio productions outside the superhero genre.
The exact division of responsibilities under DC Studios’ incoming leadership has not yet been independently confirmed. However, Latcham’s reported involvement raises important questions about how much of Gunn and Safran’s original DCU vision will remain intact.
The transition also comes shortly after the merger of Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery under Skydance, which brought major changes to the entertainment company’s leadership structure.
The DC Movies and Shows Gunn and Safran Delivered
When Gunn and Safran took charge, DC’s cinematic future was uncertain following years of inconsistent box office results, shifting creative directions, and abandoned franchise plans.
Their solution was a new interconnected universe called Chapter One: Gods and Monsters, designed to build toward a larger shared story while giving individual projects their own identities.
The era officially began with the animated series Creature Commandos in December 2024, introducing characters and storylines that could carry into other DC productions.
Gunn followed that project with Superman in July 2025, starring David Corenswet as Clark Kent, Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor. The film established a new cinematic version of the Man of Steel while introducing characters such as Mister Terrific, Hawkgirl, Guy Gardner, and Metamorpho.
Peacemaker returned for its second season in August 2025, expanding the DCU’s television presence with John Cena reprising his role as Christopher Smith.
The franchise continued expanding in 2026 with Supergirl, starring Milly Alcock as Kara Zor-El and Jason Momoa as Lobo.
DC Studios also introduced Lanterns, bringing the Green Lantern mythology to live-action television with Kyle Chandler portraying Hal Jordan and Aaron Pierre playing John Stewart.
Meanwhile, Clayface pushed the franchise into darker territory with a body-horror approach to the Batman villain. Directed by James Watkins from a screenplay by Mike Flanagan and Hossein Amini, the film stars Tom Rhys Harries in the title role.
Together, these projects demonstrated Gunn and Safran’s willingness to move beyond traditional superhero adventures and explore comedy, science fiction, horror, and character-driven storytelling.
What Is Next for the DC Universe?
While Gunn and Safran are leaving their executive positions, several major DC projects remain on the horizon.
The biggest upcoming release is Man of Tomorrow, scheduled to arrive in theaters on July 9, 2027.
Written and directed by Gunn, the film reunites Corenswet’s Superman and Hoult’s Lex Luthor while introducing Brainiac, portrayed by Lars Eidinger. The story will further expand the Superman saga established during Gunn’s leadership.
DC Studios also has several other movies and television projects announced or in development, although their status and schedules could change under the new leadership.
Upcoming DC projects include:
- Man of Tomorrow — July 9, 2027
- Creature Commandos Season 2
- The People vs. Gorilla Grodd
- Mister Terrific
- The Brave and the Bold
- Wonder Woman
- Teen Titans
- Swamp Thing
- Booster Gold
Beyond the shared DCU, Matt Reeves’ The Batman Part II, starring Robert Pattinson, is scheduled for February 18, 2028. The animated film Dynamic Duo, exploring Dick Grayson and Jason Todd, is also in development for 2028.
Both projects exist outside the primary DCU continuity, but remain important parts of DC Studios’ broader movie slate.
Gunn’s revelation that he is writing another DC project also leaves the door open for his creative involvement in the franchise beyond Man of Tomorrow.
What Does the Leadership Shakeup Mean for DC Fans?
The biggest concern surrounding this shakeup is whether DC Studios will maintain the creative direction established during Gunn and Safran’s leadership.
Their approach placed a strong emphasis on interconnected storytelling without requiring every movie or television series to follow the same tone.
From the optimism of Superman to the darker atmosphere of Clayface, the franchise has already demonstrated its ability to explore different corners of DC Comics.
However, the DCU is still relatively young, with many recognizable characters, including Batman and Wonder Woman, yet to receive their own standalone films within the new continuity.
A change in leadership at this stage creates uncertainty about the projects currently in development, their release schedules, and how closely future productions will follow Gunn’s original plans.
The good news for fans is that Gunn’s statement makes clear that his work with DC characters is not necessarily finished, and the films and television shows already released have established a foundation for the franchise to continue building upon.
After four years of rebuilding the DC Universe, James Gunn and Peter Safran are leaving behind a growing collection of superheroes, ambitious projects, and a franchise with plenty of stories still waiting to be told.
Their departure marks the end of an important chapter for DC Studios, but the next chapter could determine the future of the DC Universe for years to come.
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Sean Tajipour
Sean Tajipour is the Founder and Editor of Nerdtropolis and the host of the Moviegoers Society and Reel Insights Podcast. He is also a member of the Critics Choice Association. You can follow on Twitter and Instagram @Seantaj.
