James Gunn and Peter Safran are stepping down from their roles as co-CEOs of DC Studios, concluding a four-year tenure that began with a mandate to rebuild the studio’s cinematic universe. The departure, announced on November 9, 2026, follows the purchase of Warner Bros. Discovery by Skydance, prompting an executive shake-up across the studio’s leadership. Former Marvel Studios producer and executive Jeremy Latcham will step in to replace Gunn and Safran, taking over as president and chief creative officer starting December 1, according to reporting by Los Angeles Times.
Skydance Chief Executive David Ellison and Co-CEO Ynon Kreiz confirmed the transition in a statement, expressing gratitude for the outgoing leaders’ contributions. “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 and Kreiz said. Latcham, whose production credits include major comic book features such as Iron Man, The Avengers, and Guardians of the Galaxy, acknowledged the scale of his new role in a November 9 press release cited by E! Online, stating that the chance to steward the DC character roster is a massive responsibility he does not take lightly.
A Mixed Box Office Record Under Gunn and Safran
During their four-year run, Gunn and Safran were tasked with creating a cohesive narrative framework for DC’s superhero slate, functioning similarly to Marvel’s interconnected model under Kevin Feige. Their tenure opened with significant commercial success, anchored by 2025’s Superman, which hauled in more than $618 million in worldwide box office revenue and stabilized the brand after years of uneven financial performance under former chief Walter Hamada.
However, subsequent releases encountered turbulent commercial results. Earlier in 2026, Supergirl underperformed at the global box office with a gross of $126.5 million against a reported budget of $170 million, accompanied by lukewarm reviews. Other titles, such as October’s Clayface, saw more solid theatrical openings, but the overall slate reflected varying audience reception as the studio attempted to chart a unified course.
Corporate Pressures and Future Projects
Reflecting on his departure in an Instagram post on November 9, Gunn noted that while overseeing characters like Batman, Superman, and Supergirl was a dream come true, the past four years had also proved trying. He pointed to the demanding corporate nature of the executive role, noting that he had stolen time from his loved ones and creative pursuits. Despite stepping down from management, Gunn confirmed he will remain active on upcoming DC productions, including directing the upcoming Man of Tomorrow, producing Batman: Part II, and working on a secret DC project alongside the television series The People v. Gorilla Grodd.
As Latcham prepares to assume leadership on December 1, Skydance executives have emphasized their commitment to expanding the studio’s cinematic and television footprint. With Man of Tomorrow slated for release in 2027, the incoming administration faces the challenge of maintaining momentum for DC’s multi-platform slate while establishing stable commercial foundations under new corporate ownership.