DC Comics has long been home to some of the most iconic superheroes in American culture — but behind the scenes, the studio responsible for bringing those characters to life is undergoing another major shake-up. For the second time in just a few years, DC Studios is getting new leadership, and the change is coming faster than many in Hollywood expected.
Skydance Motion Picture Group announced Monday that James Gunn and Peter Safran are stepping down as co-chief executives of DC Studios, ending a four-year run at the helm of one of entertainment’s most recognizable superhero brands. Their departure comes despite the fact that their first film in charge, Superman, only hit theaters last year.
Taking their place is Jeremy Latchman, a veteran of Marvel Studios who helped shape the early Marvel Cinematic Universe — including blockbusters like Iron Man and The Avengers. Skydance chairman and chief executive David Ellison tapped Latchman to serve as president and chief creative officer of DC Studios, reporting to Skydance Motion Picture Group co-chairs Dana Goldberg and Josh Greenstein.
What Triggered the Change
Gunn and Safran initially kept their positions following Skydance’s acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. But when Skydance’s merger with Paramount Pictures was finalized — coinciding with the release of DC’s Clayface — the duo did not survive the transition. The leadership change will officially take effect December 1.
Ellison acknowledged the work Gunn and Safran put into rebuilding DC’s creative direction.
“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,”
Ellison said in a statement.
“We’re grateful for their passion, contributions and commitment to this legendary brand.”
What Gunn and Safran Built — and What They Didn’t Finish
During their tenure, Gunn and Safran pushed DC toward more unconventional storytelling. Clayface, which blended superhero action with horror elements, has earned $109 million at the box office so far. Their biggest commercial win was Superman, which took a lighter, more comedic approach than the previous version of the character in Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel — though it landed at $618.7 million worldwide, short of the top tier of superhero box-office performances. Not everything landed: Supergirl, only their second release, was considered a significant flop.
Even with their exit, Gunn and Safran’s influence on DC won’t disappear overnight. Gunn is currently in post-production on the Superman follow-up, Man of Tomorrow, and upcoming projects include the series The People v. Gorilla Grodd and The Batman: Part II. However, their longer-term plans for the DC universe — built over years of development — will not move forward.
In a joint statement, the two said they were ready to return to their roots as storytellers.
“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,'”
Gunn and Safran said.
Who Is Jeremy Latchman?
Latchman brings both Marvel experience and independent producing credits to his new role. He worked alongside Gunn and Safran during their time at Marvel on Guardians of the Galaxy, and has since produced films including Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves and Bad Times at the El Royale through his own production company, Latchman Pictures, which he founded in 2017.
Goldberg and Greenstein expressed confidence in the incoming executive.
“Jeremy brings a deep reverence for DC and its passionate fanbase, recognizing that they are the very foundation of this storied, multigenerational brand,”
they said in a statement.
Latchman himself said he is eager to take on the challenge.
“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,”
he said.