DC Studios is heading into another major leadership change, with James Gunn and Peter Safran stepping down from their positions as co-chief executives and studio leaders after four years at the helm. In a surprising development announced on November 9, Skydance Motion Picture Group confirmed that Marvel veteran Jeremy Latcham will take over as president and chief creative officer of DC Studios, beginning December 1, 2026.
The announcement marks the end of an important chapter for DC, which appointed Gunn and Safran in 2022 to rebuild its film and television universe and establish a stronger competitor to Marvel. Their departure comes shortly after Skydance completed its acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, raising fresh questions about the future direction of the DC Universe and the long-term plans established by the outgoing leadership.
Jeremy Latcham Takes Charge of DC Studios
Latcham will oversee DC Studios’ film, television and animation slate, including its creative development, production, talent and strategy. He will report to Dana Goldberg and Josh Greenstein, co-chairs of Skydance Motion Picture Group.
His appointment brings considerable superhero experience to the studio. Latcham joined Marvel Studios in 2004 and became one of the executives involved in building the early Marvel Cinematic Universe. His credits include Iron Man, The Avengers, Guardians of the Galaxy, Avengers: Age of Ultron and Spider-Man: Homecoming.
Interestingly, Latcham has an existing professional connection with Gunn and Safran, having worked with them during their Marvel years. After leaving Marvel in 2017, he established Latcham Pictures and went on to produce projects including Bad Times at the El Royale and Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves.
His appointment could bring a different perspective to DC’s superhero strategy, particularly as the studio attempts to build a consistent identity across theatrical releases and streaming projects. However, Skydance has not announced a complete creative reboot or confirmed that Latcham intends to abandon the existing DC Universe.
Why Are James Gunn and Peter Safran Leaving?
Gunn and Safran were appointed in 2022 with the responsibility of bringing DC’s film and television projects under one creative leadership structure. Their tenure introduced a new slate that included Superman, Peacemaker, Creature Commandos, Lanterns and Clayface.
The results were mixed commercially. Gunn’s Superman earned approximately $618.7 million worldwide, giving the new DC direction an encouraging theatrical start. However, Supergirl struggled at the box office, while Clayface delivered a more modest commercial performance despite its different horror-focused approach.
In their joint statement, Gunn and Safran reflected on the work accomplished during their four years at the studio. They also expressed confidence in Latcham, describing their shared creative history dating back to Marvel. Both executives said they were looking forward to returning to the creative work that originally attracted them to the industry, including the next chapter of Clark Kent and Lex Luthor’s story in Man of Tomorrow.
Gunn also acknowledged the difficult corporate side of his leadership experience in a separate social media statement. His comments add another dimension to the announcement, although neither executive has publicly described the transition as a dismissal.
What Happens to Upcoming DC Projects?
The leadership change does not mean that DC’s announced projects will immediately disappear. Several productions already have significant progress behind them, and Gunn and Safran will remain connected to projects they helped develop.
Man of Tomorrow, written and directed by Gunn, is currently in post-production and is scheduled to arrive in cinemas on July 9, 2027. Meanwhile, The Batman: Part II, starring Robert Pattinson, is in production, with Gunn and Safran attached as producers.
The television slate also includes The People v. Gorilla Grodd, an upcoming HBO Max series expected in 2027. The project features Skyler Gisondo as Jimmy Olsen and Jimmy Tatro as Gorilla Grodd.
The bigger question is how much of Gunn and Safran’s wider DC vision Latcham will preserve. Fans have invested in the characters and interconnected stories introduced under the previous leadership, and another major creative reset could create uncertainty around the franchise.
Final Verdict
James Gunn and Peter Safran’s exit is a significant moment for DC Studios, particularly because their appointment was intended to bring stability to a franchise that had experienced years of creative changes. Jeremy Latcham’s Marvel background makes him an interesting choice, but experience alone will not guarantee success.
His biggest challenge will be balancing the expectations of longtime DC fans with the commercial demands of a changing entertainment industry. For now, the existing project pipeline remains in place, but the studio’s creative direction beyond those productions is something audiences will be watching closely.
