Major DC Studios Shakeup: James Gunn and Peter Safran Stepping Down After Four Years

The filmmakers behind the latest big-screen "Superman" are trading the boardroom for the set. Their departure leaves DC's ambitious cinematic universe at a crossroads.

James Gunn and Peter Safran are stepping down as co-CEOs of DC Studios in a major shakeup that has sent shockwaves across Hollywood and the comics industry. The filmmakers will relinquish their roles effective December 1, four years after taking over the studio.

Taking their place is former Marvel executive Jeremy Latcham, who has been named president and chief creative officer of DC Studios by Skydance, which took control of the division after acquiring Warner Bros. Discovery.

In his new role, Latcham will steer DC's film, television and animation projects, with oversight of the studio's creative pipeline, production, talent and strategy, Skydance said.

Latcham is no stranger to superhero blockbusters.

He got his start as an associate producer on the original 2008 "Iron Man" movie and went on to executive produce Gunn's first "Guardians of the Galaxy," as well as "Avengers: Age of Ultron" and "Spider-Man: Homecoming."

More recently, he produced the 2023 film "Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves" and Nate Bargatze's May comedy release "The Breadwinner."

Gunn and Safran's four-year run had its share of highs and lows. Their first release, David Corenswet's "Superman," was a hit last year, but the momentum faltered when Milly Alcock's "Supergirl" flopped with both critics and audiences.

The duo rebounded with their third film, the villain origin story "Clayface," which has drawn strong reviews and proven profitable.

On the small screen, the duo oversaw Colin Farrell's "The Batman" spinoff "The Penguin," the second season of John Cena's "Peacemaker" and the HBO series "Lanterns."

Reflecting on their tenure, Safran and Gunn said in a statement obtained by multiple outlets on November 9:

"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."

The pair also welcomed their successor, saying they remain "eager to see the perspective he brings to DC's next chapter."

Following the announcement, Gunn shared a personal message on Instagram, looking back on his lifelong love of the characters he got to bring to life.

"When I was a kid growing up in Manchester, Missouri, I used to write and draw my own comics with a mix of DC Comics characters and my own characters," he wrote, in part. "Having full access to these characters to do whatever we wanted has been a dream come true."

"I didn't know if I wanted this job when it was offered to me, but I just couldn't pass up the unique opportunity. I'm glad I took the job," he said.

While their executive days are done, Gunn and Safran will remain in the fold creatively on several projects, with the plan being for them to return full time to their creative work.

Gunn is still at the helm of "Man of Tomorrow," the follow-up to "Superman," according to multiple outlets.

The sequel will see Corenswet, 33, return as Clark Kent/Superman, alongside Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane and Nicholas Hoult as supervillain Lex Luthor. The film is now in post-production ahead of a planned release next year.

The duo also recently filmed the TV spinoff "The People v. Gorilla Grodd," which is also in post-production, and they remain producers on Robert Pattinson's "The Batman: Part II," slated for a 2028 release.

Still, the exit now puts into question the vast plans the pair announced when they took over in a bid to steer DC's movies beyond the long shadow cast by the Zack Snyder era.