James Gunn and Peter Safran Exit DC Studios as Marvel Veteran Jeremy Latcham Takes Over

November 11, 2026

James Gunn and Peter Safran Exit DC Studios as Marvel Veteran Jeremy Latcham Takes Over

Published November 11, 2026 | Entertainment | TrendWire Daily

DC Studios is getting new leadership. Skydance announced on Monday, November 9, 2026, that James Gunn and Peter Safran are stepping down as co-CEOs of DC Studios, effective December 1, 2026. Former Marvel Studios executive Jeremy Latcham will take over as president and chief creative officer, leading DC's film, television and animation slate.

A Sudden Change at the Top of DC

Direct answer: James Gunn and Peter Safran are stepping down as co-CEOs of DC Studios on December 1, 2026, after four years in charge. Skydance announced the change on November 9, 2026, and former Marvel Studios executive Jeremy Latcham will take over as president and chief creative officer, leading DC's film, television and animation slate.

Gunn and Safran took over DC Studios on November 1, 2022, and ran the studio for four years. Their exit comes just weeks after Skydance's takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery, which was completed on October 6, 2026. Despite earlier assurances that they would remain in charge after the takeover, Skydance co-CEOs David Ellison and Ynon Kreiz told them in person on Friday, November 6, 2026, at the DC offices on the Warner Bros. lot in Burbank that the company would go in a different direction.

Why the Change Happened

The Hollywood Reporter reported tensions behind the change. Among the issues were reporting-structure clashes — Gunn and Safran had a contract stipulation to report directly to the top — concerns about returns on investment, and that they were slow in sharing plans, slate details and footage with the new ownership.

The timing adds to the sense of a sharp break: the decision was delivered in person on a Friday, and the public announcement followed on the Monday. Warner Bros. film bosses Michael De Luca and Pamela Abdy had already left after the takeover, meaning the change at DC is part of a broader leadership reset across the studio.

Who Is Jeremy Latcham?

Latcham is a former Marvel Studios executive, which makes his appointment a notable piece of cross-town movement. He will lead DC's film, television and animation slate as president and chief creative officer. The appointment puts a veteran of the Marvel system in charge of DC's creative direction — a signal that Skydance wants a proven franchise operator running its superhero slate. For readers following the biggest shifts in Hollywood, this guide to the latest studio and streaming news tracks the changes as they happen.

What Happens to Gunn's Projects?

The change does not mean Gunn is leaving DC entirely. He is still directing Man of Tomorrow, the Superman sequel due in summer 2027 — July 9, 2027 — with Safran producing, and both are still producing The Batman Part II. Gunn says he has also been engaged on another DC project he is writing.

Gunn wrote on Threads and Instagram that he would "miss being the co-caretaker of these great characters" but is "incredibly relieved and excited to get back to pure filmmaking." The message frames the exit as a return to the director's chair rather than a departure from the DC universe — but it leaves the question of who now sets the direction of that universe to Latcham.

A superhero film set on a sound stage with a camera rig and dramatic lighting

What to Watch Next

The key question is what Latcham does with the slate Gunn and Safran built. Man of Tomorrow is dated for July 9, 2027, and The Batman Part II remains in production with both men still attached as producers. Whether Latcham reshapes the wider slate, accelerates some projects or slows others, will become clear once he takes over on December 1. What is certain is that four years of Gunn and Safran's leadership at DC Studios is ending — and a Marvel veteran is now in charge of its future.

Frequently Asked Questions

When are James Gunn and Peter Safran leaving DC Studios?

They step down as co-CEOs effective December 1, 2026. Skydance announced the change on Monday, November 9, 2026.

Who is replacing Gunn and Safran at DC Studios?

Former Marvel Studios executive Jeremy Latcham will take over as president and chief creative officer, leading DC's film, television and animation slate.

How long did Gunn and Safran run DC Studios?

Four years. They took over on November 1, 2022, and led the studio through the launch of its new DC Universe.

Why are they leaving?

Skydance told them in person on November 6, 2026 that the company would go in a different direction, despite earlier assurances they would stay after Skydance's takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery, completed October 6, 2026. The Hollywood Reporter cited reporting-structure clashes, concerns about returns on investment, and that they were slow sharing plans, slate details and footage.

Is James Gunn still directing Man of Tomorrow?

Yes. Gunn is still directing Man of Tomorrow, the Superman sequel due July 9, 2027, with Safran producing. Both are also still producing The Batman Part II, and Gunn says he is writing another DC project.

What did Gunn say about the change?

Writing on Threads and Instagram, Gunn said he would "miss being the co-caretaker of these great characters" but is "incredibly relieved and excited to get back to pure filmmaking."

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