James Gunn is stepping down as co-CEO of DC Studios alongside longtime producing partner Peter Safran, bringing an end to their four-year leadership of the superhero franchise. Skydance announced the major executive shakeup on November 9, 2026, confirming that former Marvel Studios executive Jeremy Latcham will take over as president and chief creative officer beginning December 1.
However, James Gunn is not leaving DC entirely. The filmmaker will continue working on upcoming projects, including the Superman sequel Man of Tomorrow, which is scheduled for theatrical release on July 9, 2027. Gunn has also confirmed that he is writing another DC project, suggesting his creative involvement with the franchise will continue beyond his executive departure.
NEED TO KNOW
- James Gunn and Peter Safran are leaving their leadership positions at DC Studios after four years.
- Former Marvel executive Jeremy Latcham will become DC Studios’ president and chief creative officer on December 1, 2026.
- Gunn will continue directing Man of Tomorrow and developing other creative projects for DC.
The announcement follows Skydance’s acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery and represents a significant change in how DC’s film and television productions will be managed.
Why is James Gunn leaving DC Studios?
James Gunn’s departure from the leadership of DC Studios comes amid a broader corporate restructuring following Skydance’s takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery.
Gunn and Safran were appointed co-chairmen and co-CEOs of DC Studios in October 2022, with responsibility for developing a connected universe of films, television series and animated productions.
Their appointment was intended to establish a consistent creative direction for DC’s most recognisable characters, including Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman.
Although Gunn enjoyed working with DC’s characters, he acknowledged that the executive position had become increasingly demanding.
In a personal statement following the announcement, Gunn explained that the corporate responsibilities of running a major studio had taken time away from filmmaking and his personal life.
He described his four years at DC Studios as rewarding but difficult, particularly because he struggled to divide his attention between creative projects and administrative responsibilities.
Gunn also thanked his wife, actress Jennifer Holland, for supporting him throughout the demanding period.
Who is replacing James Gunn at DC Studios?
Jeremy Latcham will replace Gunn and Safran as the senior creative executive overseeing DC Studios.
Latcham previously spent approximately 13 years at Marvel Studios, where he worked closely with Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige during the development 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.
After leaving Marvel in 2017, he established Latcham Pictures and worked on productions including Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves.
Under the new arrangement, Latcham will oversee DC’s film, television and animation projects, including production strategy and creative development.
He will report to Dana Goldberg and Josh Greenstein, co-chairs of Skydance Motion Picture Group.
The appointment marks a significant restructuring of DC Studios’ leadership, although the company has not announced a complete replacement of Gunn and Safran’s existing creative plans.
What did James Gunn say about leaving DC?
Gunn addressed his departure in an extended social media statement, reflecting on both the achievements and difficulties of leading DC Studios.
He recalled growing up in Missouri and creating his own comic book stories featuring DC characters, describing the opportunity to oversee the franchise as a childhood dream.
Among his proudest accomplishments, Gunn highlighted the release of Superman, the development of Peacemaker and his collaboration with Safran.
However, he also admitted that the demanding executive position had affected his personal life.
Gunn explained that he was relieved to return to filmmaking without carrying the full responsibilities of managing the studio.
He also expressed gratitude toward the actors, filmmakers and production teams who had contributed to DC’s projects during his tenure.
Importantly, Gunn made clear that stepping down as co-CEO did not mean ending his professional relationship with DC.
Will James Gunn still direct Man of Tomorrow?
Yes, James Gunn will continue directing Man of Tomorrow, the upcoming sequel to his 2025 film Superman.
The movie is scheduled to arrive in cinemas on July 9, 2027, with Gunn serving as writer and director and Safran continuing as producer.
The film will further explore the relationship between Clark Kent, portrayed by David Corenswet, and Lex Luthor, played by Nicholas Hoult.
According to Skydance’s announcement, the project is already in post-production.
Gunn has also revealed that he and Safran have become involved in another DC project that he is writing, although further details have not been confirmed.
This means Gunn’s departure from the executive position will not immediately affect his involvement in DC’s upcoming Superman storyline.
What happens to the DC Universe after James Gunn’s departure?
The leadership change creates uncertainty about the long-term direction of the DC Universe, particularly projects that have not yet entered production.
During their four years overseeing DC Studios, Gunn and Safran helped develop a connected franchise featuring Superman, Supergirl, Peacemaker, Creature Commandos, Lanterns and Clayface.
The 2025 film Superman earned more than $618 million worldwide, becoming one of the major commercial achievements of their tenure.
Other productions experienced varying levels of commercial success, leaving the incoming leadership responsible for evaluating the franchise’s next phase.
Skydance has confirmed that Gunn and Safran will continue contributing to selected projects, but Jeremy Latcham will now oversee the broader creative direction.
For fans wondering whether James Gunn is leaving DC permanently, the answer is no. He is stepping away from studio management while remaining involved as a filmmaker, with Man of Tomorrow and another developing DC project already part of his plans.