James Gunn And Peter Safran Step Down From DC Studios To Be Replaced By Former Marvel Protége Jeremy Latcham

Gunn And Safran Out At DC

The Hollywood Reporter has just reported that the heads of DC Studios, James Gunn and Peter Safran, have just stepped down. Here’s a few details about who will take over…

Skydance, which now oversees the division thanks to its acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, has appointed former Marvel exec Jeremy Latcham to the post of president and chief creative officer of DC Studios.

Gunn and Safran are stepping down from their leadership roles effect Dec. 1, four years after taking over the job to much fanfare. The duo released three movies during that time (Superman, Supergirl and Clayface), as well as three live-action TV shows (The Penguin, Peacemaker season 2 and Lanterns), and had a decade’s worth of plans in the works. In an Instagram post in which he talked about the highs and lows at DC, Gunn acknowledged that being an exec was “trying, to say the least.” He added: “I dislike the at-times corporate nature of the job (thanks to Peter for taking the brunt of that.).”

The duo will still be in the fold creatively, at least on a few projects, as Gunn has Superman sequel Man of Tomorrow in post-production for a planned release next year, with the TV spinoff The People v. Gorilla Grodd also in post. Gunn and Safran remain producers on The Batman: Part II as well, for a 2028 release date. With their executive days done, the plan is for them to return full time to their creative work. Gunn rose to fame as the blockbuster filmmaker behind Guardians of the Galaxy, while Safran is a prolific producer on numerous DC and horror titles. Gunn revealed in his Instagram post Monday that he is writing one more secret DC movie, and that the characters they set up will live on beyond them.

“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,” Skydance chairman and CEO David Ellison and co-CEO Ynon Kreiz said jointly in a statement. “We’re grateful for their passion, contributions and commitment to this legendary brand.”

Regarding Latcham, the duo stated, “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 returns to his executive roots with the role. He was one of the earliest employees of Marvel Studios, joining the company in 2004, and ultimately rose to senior vp of production and development. As a protégé, and then right hand man for Marvel head Kevin Fiege, he gained credits on Iron Man, Iron Man 2, The Avengers, Guardians of the Galaxy, Avengers: Age of Ultron and Spider-Man: Homecoming. He worked with Gunn on Guardians, the 2014 movie that made the filmmaker an A-list director.

Per Skydance, Latcham will lead DC’s film, television and animation slate, overseeing the creative pipeline, along with production, talent and strategy. He will report to Dana Goldberg and Josh Greenstein, co-chairs of Skydance Motion Picture Group. That’s a change from the days of Gunn and Safran, who reported directly to Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav before the merger, and prior to their exit, reported directly to Ellison.

“DC’s pantheon of characters is among the most iconic in American popular culture,” said Latcham in a statement. “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.”