After shock studio exit, James Gunn’s 10-year DCU plan gets an uncertain future
Leadership change at DC
After the Warner Bros. Discovery and Paramount merger, the companies became Skydance, with DC Studios included in the new group. Although Gunn and Safran had been reported as staying in their positions, Skydance announced on November 9 that they would exit as co-CEOs.
Latcham is due to take over on December 1. The Hollywood Reporter said David Ellison and Ynon Kreiz visited the Warner Bros. lot on November 6 to tell Gunn and Safran about the decision. Gunn and Latcham reportedly had not spoken about the shake-up before the announcement.
Future plans in doubt
Puck reported that Skydance was considering dismantling much of Gunn and Safran’s planned slate beyond Man of Tomorrow, the currently filming The Batman: Part II and an HBO series in development. The outlet characterized the prospect as another DC reboot, but no official statement has confirmed a change to those projects.
Gunn and Safran had introduced a slate of films and television shows after DC Studios launched in 2022. According to an insider cited by The Hollywood Reporter, the pair had strong control over the rollout of DC projects.
Reported tensions over control
The Hollywood Reporter described disagreements between the DC executives and Skydance film leaders, including Josh Greenstein and Dana Goldberg. Gunn and Safran’s contracts gave them a direct reporting line to leadership, which reportedly frustrated Greenstein and Goldberg as they sought to bring movie production under their oversight.
Sources also told the trade that Gunn and Safran were slow to share plans, slate details and footage with Skydance’s film bosses. Latcham will report directly to Goldberg and Greenstein. One source said Ellison had not wanted DC reporting to him and did not have time for internal studio politics.
Business results and expectations
Finances were also reported as part of the decision. Superman earned $618 million and was profitable, but Skydance’s view was that it did not deliver the financial or popular-culture impact expected of that kind of film.
Supergirl was described as a commercial failure, while the R-rated Clayface had earned more than $103 million worldwide on a $40 million budget and received a strong critical response. The report characterized Latcham as a producer focused on financial hits that draw general audiences to theaters.
Key points
- James Gunn and Peter Safran are leaving their DC Studios co-CEO roles, with Jeremy Latcham set to take over December 1.
- Reports say plans for DC projects beyond Man of Tomorrow, The Batman: Part II and an HBO series may be reconsidered.
- Reported disputes involved leadership structure, sharing plans and footage, and Skydance’s oversight of film production.
- Superman earned $618 million, while Clayface reportedly made more than $103 million worldwide on a $40 million budget.