James Gunn and Peter Safran step down from DC Studios leadership as Marvel veteran Jeremy Latcham takes over

The duo behind DC’s latest cinematic reboot will leave their executive positions in December, returning to full-time creative work while Latcham assumes control of the studio’s film, television and animation slate

Updated - November 10, 2026 03:12 pm IST

Peter Safran and James Gunn | Photo Credit: AP

James Gunn and Peter Safran will step away from their roles as co-chairmen and co-CEOs of DC Studios after four years, with Skydance announcing on November 9 that Marvel veteran Jeremy Latcham will take over as President and Chief Creative Officer from December 1, 2026.

The leadership change marks a new chapter for DC Studios, which Gunn and Safran were appointed to lead in 2022 as Warner Bros. Discovery sought to bring its film and television properties under a unified creative direction. The pair will return to full-time creative work rather than leave the DC universe altogether. In their joint statement, they expressed confidence in Latcham and said they were looking forward to returning to storytelling, including the next chapter of Clark Kent and Lex Luthor’s journey in Man of Tomorrow.

Following the announcement, Gunn shared a lengthy personal statement reflecting on his four years at DC Studios. While describing the opportunity to work with the company’s iconic characters as a dream come true, he admitted that the executive role had taken a toll on his personal and creative life. “My time at DC Studios has been trying, to say the least,” he wrote, adding that he disliked the “at-times corporate nature of the job”. Gunn said he was relieved and excited to return to filmmaking, explaining that balancing projects he was passionate about with the responsibilities of running a studio had been particularly challenging.

View this post on InstagramA post shared by James Gunn (@jamesgunn)

Latcham will oversee DC’s film, television and animation projects, including its creative development, production, talent and strategy. He will report to Skydance Motion Picture Group co-chairs Dana Goldberg and Josh Greenstein.

A founding member of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Latcham spent 13 years at Marvel Studios, rising to senior vice-president of production and development. His credits include executive producing The Avengers, Guardians of the Galaxy, Avengers: Age of Ultron and Spider-Man: Homecoming. He previously worked with Gunn on Guardians of the Galaxy.

During their tenure, Gunn and Safran oversaw the launch of the new DC Universe, beginning with the animated series Creature Commandos and continuing with Superman, Peacemaker, Supergirl, Lanterns, and Clayface. Gunn directed and co-wrote Superman, which grossed more than $618 million worldwide.

The transition does not mean an immediate end to their involvement in upcoming DC productions. Gunn is directing Man of Tomorrow, the sequel to Superman, which is currently in post-production and scheduled to arrive in theatres on July 9, 2027. Gunn and Safran are also producing The Batman Part II, starring Robert Pattinson.

The announcement comes as DC Studios enters its next phase under Skydance, following the completion of its acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. Latcham’s appointment takes effect on December 1.

Published - November 10, 2026 11:29 am IST

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