the SUPER: DC Studios Shakes Up Leadership as James Gunn and Peter Safran Step Down

In a surprising shake-up behind the scenes at DC Studios, James Gunn and Peter Safran are stepping down from their positions as co-chairmen and CEOs, marking the end of their four-year run. Taking over the leadership role will be Jeremy Latcham, a longtime Hollywood producer and Marvel Studios veteran, who has been named president and chief creative officer. The unexpected announcement signals another major transition for DC as the studio continues building its next generation of projects.

Gunn and Safran were originally brought aboard in 2022 with the goal of rebuilding DC’s cinematic universe and establishing a stronger creative direction for its characters. During their tenure, the pair launched a new chapter with Superman, which delivered approximately $618 million worldwide, while Supergirl struggled at the box office with $126 million. Clayface also arrived as a darker, more unconventional entry into the DC lineup. Beyond theaters, their leadership expanded the franchise’s television presence with projects including Peacemaker, Creature Commandos, and Lanterns.

Despite stepping away from executive responsibilities, Gunn and Safran aren’t leaving the DC universe behind, as both are working on finishing Superman: Man of Tomorrow, the upcoming sequel scheduled for next summer. In a statement following the announcement, the filmmakers expressed pride in the creative community they helped establish and welcomed Latcham as the person taking DC forward. Gunn also addressed the demands of his executive position on social media, acknowledging that the corporate side of running a major studio had been particularly challenging.

Their successor brings considerable experience from the other side of the superhero movie business. Latcham spent more than a decade at Marvel Studios, where he worked alongside Kevin Feige during the development and expansion of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. His production credits include Iron Man, The Avengers, Guardians of the Galaxy, Avengers: Age of Ultron, and Spider-Man: Homecoming. Latcham went on to produce projects such as Bad Times at the El Royale and Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves. In his new position, he will oversee DC’s film, television, and animation divisions.

Latcham described the opportunity as both an honor and a significant responsibility, emphasizing his respect for DC’s legendary characters and the passionate fans who have supported them across generations. He also expressed enthusiasm about collaborating with filmmakers, comic book creators, artists, and storytellers to bring new adventures to the screen.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter, Variety