Peter Safran is stepping down as co-CEO of DC Studios alongside filmmaker James Gunn, ending their four-year partnership overseeing the company’s superhero films and television productions. Skydance announced the leadership change on November 9, 2026, confirming that former Marvel Studios executive Jeremy Latcham will take over as president and chief creative officer beginning December 1.
Although Peter Safran is leaving his executive position, he is not completely departing the DC franchise. The producer will continue working on selected projects, including the upcoming Superman sequel Man of Tomorrow. His transition marks a significant change for DC Studios as its new parent company reorganises the creative leadership behind its superhero properties.
NEED TO KNOW
- Peter Safran and James Gunn will step down as DC Studios co-CEOs after four years.
- Jeremy Latcham will become DC Studios’ president and chief creative officer on December 1, 2026.
- Safran will continue producing DC projects, including Man of Tomorrow, scheduled for July 2027.
The announcement follows major changes at Warner Bros. Discovery after its acquisition by Skydance, raising questions about the direction of the DC Universe.
Why is Peter Safran leaving DC Studios?
Peter Safran’s departure comes as DC Studios undergoes a leadership restructuring following the change in ownership of Warner Bros. Discovery.
Safran and Gunn were appointed co-chairmen and co-CEOs in October 2022. Their responsibilities included developing a connected DC Universe across films, television series and animation.
The pair introduced a new creative strategy designed to bring greater consistency to DC’s storytelling while giving filmmakers opportunities to explore different characters and genres.
However, the company’s ownership change created an opportunity for Skydance to appoint new leadership.
The official announcement confirmed that Safran and Gunn would return to full-time creative work rather than continue managing the studio.
Although the timing follows a corporate restructuring, the announcement did not establish that Safran had been dismissed because of any particular film’s performance.
Peter Safran and James Gunn transformed DC Studios
Safran and Gunn arrived at DC Studios with considerable experience in superhero filmmaking.
Safran had previously produced successful films including Aquaman, Shazam! and The Suicide Squad. Gunn was widely recognised for directing Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy.
Together, they developed a new DC slate featuring Superman, Supergirl, Batman and several lesser-known comic book characters.
Their projects included Superman, Peacemaker, Creature Commandos, Lanterns and Clayface.
Gunn’s 2025 film Superman, produced with Safran, earned more than $618 million worldwide and became a major commercial achievement for the studio.
However, the franchise experienced mixed results. Supergirl struggled commercially, while Clayface earned more than $109 million worldwide.
These contrasting performances formed part of the business environment inherited by DC Studios’ incoming leadership.
Who is replacing Peter Safran at DC Studios?
Jeremy Latcham, a former Marvel Studios executive, will become president and chief creative officer of DC Studios.
Latcham joined Marvel Studios in 2004 and worked closely with Kevin Feige during the development of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
His credits include Iron Man, The Avengers, Guardians of the Galaxy and Spider-Man: Homecoming.
He later established his own production company and worked on films including Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves.
Under the new arrangement, Latcham will oversee DC’s film, television and animation productions, including creative development, talent relationships and production strategy.
He will report to Dana Goldberg and Josh Greenstein, co-chairs of Skydance Motion Picture Group.
The appointment brings another executive with extensive superhero filmmaking experience into DC’s leadership.
What did Peter Safran say about leaving DC?
Safran and Gunn released a joint statement following the announcement, reflecting on their work together.
They explained that their original ambition had been to bring DC’s characters together under a unified creative vision.
The producers expressed pride in helping restore Superman’s prominence while developing projects such as Peacemaker, Creature Commandos, Lanterns and Clayface.
They also thanked the actors, filmmakers and executives who contributed to the studio’s productions.
Discussing their replacement, the pair acknowledged their previous working relationship with Jeremy Latcham through Marvel projects.
They expressed enthusiasm about returning to storytelling, particularly through the next chapter of Superman and Lex Luthor’s relationship in Man of Tomorrow.
Gunn separately praised Safran as an exceptionally capable professional and a close friend, acknowledging the support he had provided throughout their leadership.
Will Peter Safran continue working on DC movies?
Yes, Peter Safran will remain involved in DC filmmaking after leaving his executive position.
He is producing Man of Tomorrow, which James Gunn is writing and directing. The film is scheduled for theatrical release on July 9, 2027.
The sequel will continue the story of Clark Kent, played by David Corenswet, and Lex Luthor, portrayed by Nicholas Hoult.
Safran and Gunn are also producing The Batman Part II, starring Robert Pattinson, which remains in development and production under the wider DC banner.
Their television work includes executive producer credits on Lanterns and the upcoming HBO Max series The People v. Gorilla Grodd.
These commitments mean Safran’s relationship with DC will continue even after he relinquishes his leadership responsibilities.
What does Peter Safran’s departure mean for the DC Universe?
The departure of Safran and Gunn represents one of the most significant executive changes at DC Studios since the company was established in its current form.
Jeremy Latcham will inherit a franchise with several films and television projects already completed, in production or awaiting release.
While the existing projects will continue moving forward, the longer-term direction of the DC Universe will now depend on decisions made under Latcham’s leadership.
Skydance executives have praised Safran and Gunn for establishing a new foundation for DC storytelling and indicated that they expect a collaborative transition.
For Peter Safran, the move brings an end to his responsibilities as studio co-CEO but allows him to concentrate on the filmmaking work that established his Hollywood career.