James Gunn & Peter Safran Out at DC Studios, Former Marvel Studios Exec Jeremy Latcham To Replace Them

It’s the end of an era at DC Studios. The original regime of DC Studios, which was founded in November 2022, is now stepping down. Per The Hollywood Reporter, Gunn and Safran are leaving their posts as co-CEOs of the division, with former Marvel Studios executive Jeremy Latcham appointed by parent company Skydance as the new president and chief creative officer.

Gunn and Safran will reportedly exit their leadership roles, effective Dec. 1, four years from when they originally took office. Their regime saw the release of three movies: 2025’s Superman, and this year’s Supergirl and Clayface. They also oversaw three live-action series: The Batman spin-off, The Penguin; Peacemaker Season 2; and the critically acclaimed Lanterns.

THR reports that Gunn and Safran will remain in the fold creatively on a few projects, as Gunn is still working on Superman: Man of Tomorrow, which is currently in post-production for a 2027 release. Its TV spinoff, The People v. Gorilla Grodd, is also in post-production.

Gunn and Safran are also attached as producers for The Batman: Part II, which is currently in production and due out in February 2028. They are expected to return to doing creative and producing work full time after stepping down as the studio heads.

Speaking on the announcement, Skydance chairman and CEO David Ellison and co-CEO Ynon Kreiz said in a joint statement, “James and Peter launched a new era for DC Studios and led it through a period of real transformation, resetting the foundation and building a slate we’re incredibly proud of.” They continued, “We’re grateful for their passion, contributions and commitment to this legendary brand.”

Speaking on Latcham’s appointment, they commented: “Jeremy has been a longtime creative partner to both, and we have complete confidence that James and Peter will ensure a smooth, collaborative transition and continue this work with care. We look forward to working with Jeremy to build the next generation of DC storytelling and to doubling down on our commitment to fans.”

Latcham was part of the earliest regime at Marvel Studios, joining the company in 2004. He later became Marvel Studios’ Senior VP of Production and Development, acting as a protege and right-hand man of eventual Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige. He’s the credited executive producer on The Avengers, Guardians of the Galaxy, Avengers: Age of Ultron, and Spider-Man: Homecoming.

He was also the associate producer on 2008’s MCU debut with Iron Man, and co-producer on its 2010 sequel, Iron Man 2. Latcham notably collaborated with Gunn on 2014’s Guardians of the Galaxy, which launched the filmmaker into the stratosphere. Latcham’s other producing credits include 2023’s Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, and this year’s Breadwinners.

As part of his new duties, Latcham will lead DC’s film and television slate, oversee its creative pipeline, production, talent, and strategy. He will report to Dana Goldberg and Josh Greenstein, co-chairs of Skydance Motion Picture Group. Gunn and Safran previously reported directly to formr Waarneer Bros. Discovery CEO Davi Zaslav before the Paramount Skydance merger. They later reported directly to Ellison after the merger.

Speaking on the announcement in his own statement, Latcham commented, “DC’s pantheon of characters is among the most iconic in American popular culture. He continued, “I’ve had the privilege to help bring some of the most celebrated superhero stories to life on the big screen, and I’m excited and honored for the opportunity to now lead DC Studios into its next era. The chance to steward the incredible cast of DC characters to the screen in a way that excites lifelong fans while introducing their timeless stories to the next generation is a massive responsibility that I do not take lightly.”

Gunn and Safran also issued a joint statement on their exits: “Four years ago, we set out to unite DC under one creative vision. 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. We’re immensely proud of the team that turned that ambition into something real, including the actors, crews and executives we had the opportunity to collaborate with.”

Regarding Latcham, they commented: “We’ve shared a creative history with Jeremy going back to Marvel, and we’re eager to see the perspective he brings to DC’s next chapter. We’re excited to return to what drew us to this job in the first place, which is telling the stories we love, including the next chapter of Clark and Lex’s journey in Man of Tomorrow.”

Did James Gunn and Peter Safran Step Down From DC Studios Voluntarily?

There aren’t many details on whether Gunn and Safran voluntarily decided to leave their positions, or if they were forced out. THR notes that Ellison flew to the set of Man of Tomorrow during production, which was reportedly seen as a vote of confidence in Gunn and Safran.

It’s also said that in recent weeks, Gunn and Safran shared their plans with Ellison as well. THR reports that sources informed the outlet that Ellison advised the studio heads to keep doing what they were doing. Gunn later told THR in October, “David knows everything… he’s been great with us.”

Gunn and Safran announced a decade’s worth of plans for projects based on the DC Universe comics and characters. Back in early 2023, Gunn’s then newly formed DC Studios announced an ambitious slate, titled “Chapter One: Gods and Monsters,” which included Superman, Supergirl, Swamp Thing, Batman: The Brave and the Bold, and The Authority on the film side. The TV side included Lanterns, Waller, Camelot, Creature Commandos, Paradise Lost, and Booster Gold.

Superman was fairly successful, grossing $354 million domestically and $618.7 million worldwide off of a reported $225 million budget. It scored well with critics, with an 83% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Supergirl was a miss for the studio, bombing with both critics and audiences and reportedly losing about $125 million for the studio. Clayface fared better, grossing $109 million worldwide off of a reported $44 million budget.

Under Gunn and Safran’s regime, many projects stalled or underwent delays. Earlier this year, The Ankler reported that Waller, a TV spin-off meant to feature Viola Davis reprising her role as Amanda Waller, Paradise Lost, and The Authority were no longer in development.

The Brave and the Bold, which was conceived as a story revolving around Batman and his biological son Damian Wayne/Robin, got Andy Muschietti attached as director and Christina Hodson writing the script. However, for whatever reason, there’s been little movement on the project coming to fruition following its announcement nearly four years ago.

At one point, a Sgt. Rock movie was in development with Luca Guadagnino attached to direct and Colin Farrell to star in the title role. Variety reports that development on the project was halted for production reasons last year.

James Mangold has been attached to the Swamp Thing adaptation since around the time the project was announced. According to the director, while speaking to Deadline, it remains in active development.

For now, Superman: Man of Tomorrow, written and directed by Gunn, arrives in theaters on July 9, 2027.