James Gunn and Peter Safran Step Down as Co-CEOs of DC Studios

In a significant executive shuffle, James Gunn and Peter Safran are stepping down from their roles as co-CEOs and chairmen of DC Studios, effective December 1. The departure comes four years after the duo took over leadership of the comic book division with a mandate to unify the brand under a single creative vision. Skydance, which now oversees the studio following its acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, has appointed former Marvel executive Jeremy Latcham to succeed them as president and chief creative officer.

During their four-year tenure, Gunn and Safran oversaw the release of several high-profile feature films and television series, navigating a period of extensive transformation for the studio. Their slate included the movies Superman, Supergirl, and Clayface, alongside live-action and animated television projects such as The Penguin, the second season of Peacemaker, Creature Commandos, and Lanterns. While the leadership transition was unexpected, Skydance executives praised the outgoing duo for establishing a strong foundation.

Skydance chairman and CEO David Ellison and co-CEO Ynon Kreiz said in a joint statement that Gunn and Safran launched a new era for DC Studios and guided it through a substantial transformation. They expressed gratitude for the pair's passion and contributions while noting absolute confidence in a smooth transition under Latcham's direction. Unlike the previous reporting structure where Gunn and Safran reported directly to the studio's chief executive, Latcham will report to Skydance Motion Picture Group co-chairs Dana Goldberg and Josh Greenstein.

Reflecting on his time in executive management, Gunn acknowledged the difficulties of the corporate environment in a social media statement. He described the position as trying and noted his dislike for the corporate nature of the job, expressing relief at returning full time to creative work. Despite relinquishing their executive posts, Gunn and Safran will remain involved with several ongoing projects.

The former studio heads are currently in post-production on the upcoming Superman sequel, Man of Tomorrow, scheduled for release next year, as well as the television spinoff series The People v. Gorilla Grodd. They are also remaining attached as producers on The Batman: Part II. Furthermore, Gunn revealed that he is currently writing an additional secret DC feature film, indicating that the characters established during their tenure will continue to play a role in future storytelling.

The incoming studio head, Jeremy Latcham, brings extensive experience from his time at Marvel Studios, where he served as senior vice president of production and development and worked closely with Marvel chief Kevin Feige on blockbusters such as The Avengers and Guardians of the Galaxy. Latcham left Marvel in 2004 and later founded Latcham Pictures, producing projects like Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves. In his new role at DC, Latcham will lead the film, television, and animation slate, managing production, talent, and creative strategy.

Expressing his enthusiasm for the new position, Latcham emphasized his commitment to honoring the fanbase while introducing the iconic characters to new audiences. He stated that he is honored to lead DC Studios into its next era and looks forward to collaborating with artists and storytellers across all mediums to build an ambitious future for longtime fans and newcomers alike.