DC Studios Shakeup: James Gunn, Peter Safran Stepping Down as Co-CEOs, Marvel Vet Jeremy Latcham Named Chief Creative Officer

James Gunn and Peter Safran are out as heads of DC Studios.

The move comes after Skydance closed its $110 billion deal to buy Warner Bros. Discovery in October. Jeremy Latcham, who helped shape the Marvel Cinematic Universe, has been appointed president and chief creative officer, DC Studios, beginning December 1, 2026.

Gunn and Safran joined the company four years ago with the goal of making DC a true challenger to the MCU, but they’ve had mixed success. “Superman,” which Gunn directed, was a hit at the box office, but “Supergirl” bombed and “Clayface,” an R-rated body horror film, has performed modestly. The pair also launched new series based on the comic book company’s characters, including “Peacemaker” and “Lanterns.” Gunn has one more film on the horizon, the “Superman” sequel, “Man of Tomorrow,” which opens next year.

“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,” David Ellison, Chairman and CEO, and Ynon Kreiz, Co-CEO, of Skydance said in a statement. “We’re grateful for their passion, contributions, and commitment to this legendary brand. Jeremy has been a longtime creative partner to both, and we have complete confidence that James and Peter will ensure a smooth, collaborative transition and continue this work with care. We look forward to working with Jeremy to build the next generation of DC storytelling and to doubling down on our commitment to fans.”

In a separate statement, Gunn and Safran said, “Four years ago, we set out to unite DC under one creative vision. In that time, we helped restore ‘Superman’ to the heart of DC, while opening new doors and telling new stories in film and television with ‘Peacemaker,’ ‘Creature Commandos,’ ‘Lanterns,’ and ‘Clayface.’ We’re immensely proud of the team that turned that ambition into something real, including the actors, crews, and executives we had the opportunity to collaborate with. We’ve shared a creative history with Jeremy going back to Marvel, and we’re eager to see the perspective he brings to DC’s next chapter.”

Latcham will lead DC’s film, television, and animation slate. He will report to Dana Goldberg and Josh Greenstein, Co-Chairs of Skydance Motion Picture Group.

“Jeremy brings a deep reverence for DC and its passionate fanbase, recognizing that they are the very foundation of this storied, multigenerational brand,” said Goldberg and Greenstein. “Under his leadership, every film and television show will be ushered from start to finish through the prism of the legions of fans who love and champion it. Jeremy’s track record exemplifies the excellence he will bring to building out DC and the many beloved characters within it.”

At Marvel, Latcham produced several of the company’s biggest hits, including “The Avengers,” “Spider-Man: Homecoming,” “Iron Man 2,” and “Guardians of the Galaxy,” which Gunn directed. As an independent producer, his credits include “Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves” and “The Breadwinner.”

Latcham faces a steep challenge. DC has suffered from a lack of consistency in its creative direction. The studio was initially overseen by comic book veterans Geoff Johns and Jon Berg, who were later replaced by veteran producer Walter Hamada, before he too was ousted. Over that time, DC had hits such as “Aquaman” and “Wonder Woman,” but they were outweighed by costly failures like “Justice League” and “The Flash.”

When Discovery bought Warner Bros. in 2022, David Zaslav personally courted Gunn and Safran to turn the ship around. But the timing was tricky. Comic book movies remain popular, at least the ones featuring marquee heroes like Spider-Man or Batman, but audiences have grown more discerning. They are less likely to show up for second- or third-tier characters (see: Supergirl). So it will fall to Latcham to figure out a new strategy to meet the moment, one that either builds on Gunn and Safran’s foundation or takes the studio in yet another direction.