The James Gunn DC Studios exit became official on Monday, when Skydance announced that Gunn and Peter Safran will step down as co-chief executives of DC Studios after four years in charge. Jeremy Latcham, a former Marvel Studios executive, will take over as president and chief creative officer of DC Studios from 1 December. Gunn and Safran will return to full-time creative work, and both will stay involved with DC projects already in production.
Skydance, which recently acquired Warner Bros. Discovery, announced the change on Monday 9 November. The move ends the four-year run of the two men brought in to unite DC film, television and animation under one creative vision, and it closes the James Gunn DC Studios chapter that began with Superman, the 2025 film Gunn directed.
Latcham was senior vice president of production and development at Marvel Studios, and his credits include Guardians of the Galaxy, Avengers and Spider-Man films. He also produced Iron Man and The Avengers. He will report to Dana Goldberg and Josh Greenstein, the co-chairs of the Skydance Motion Picture Group, and will lead creative development of the DC film, television and animation slate.
James Gunn DC Studios exit and the Skydance takeover
The James Gunn DC Studios announcement came as part of Skydance’s quarterly earnings call, according to ScreenRant. Skydance chairman and chief executive David Ellison and co-chief executive Ynon Kreiz said in a statement that Gunn and Safran had launched a new era for DC Studios and led it through a period of real transformation. They added that they were grateful for the pair’s passion and commitment to the brand.
Gunn and Safran confirmed in October 2022 that they would lead the new division and build a shared DC Universe across film and television. Their contracts were due for renewal in April 2027, so the departure comes about six months ahead of schedule, according to Movieweb.
It is not yet clear whether Gunn and Safran chose to step away or whether the decision came from senior management at Paramount Skydance. Far Out Magazine reported that the reason for the timing had not been confirmed, but Gunn said on Instagram that he is not done with DC.
James Gunn DC Studios era ends after four years
The James Gunn DC Studios era produced six DC Universe films and series between 2024 and 2026, across live action and animation, according to ScreenRant. Kotaku counted three films and three television shows in that period, and the shared universe itself began less than two years ago.
Gunn and Safran said in a statement to Variety: “Four years ago, we set out to unite DC under one creative vision. We are 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.” Man of Tomorrow, the sequel to Superman, is in post-production and is due in cinemas on 9 July 2027.
Gunn wrote on Instagram: “Thanks to all of you who have supported me and Peter in our time as the heads of DC Studios.” He added that they have Man of Tomorrow out this summer and have just been engaged on another DC project he is writing. The pair will also serve as producers on The Batman Part II, due in 2028, according to Cinema Express.
James Gunn DC Studios future under Jeremy Latcham
Latcham will also oversee The People v. Gorilla Grodd, a 2027 miniseries built around the Flash villain, according to Hypebeast. The series is in post-production alongside Man of Tomorrow, so the James Gunn DC Studios slate hands him work already under way.
The change raises questions about the direction of the DC Universe, since Gunn and Safran set its tone and its ten-year plan. Latcham arrives with a record of building long-running franchises at Marvel, and his first task will be to keep the films and series already announced on schedule while he decides what comes next.
Latcham starts on 1 December, the day Gunn and Safran leave their leadership roles. Man of Tomorrow remains due on 9 July 2027, and The Batman Part II is still set for 2028. The handover is short, and the next DC releases will show whether the new leadership keeps the James Gunn DC Studios plan or changes it.