The fate of the new iteration of the DC Universe has been put into question multiple times for many different reasons. First and foremost, the franchise's second-ever film, Supergirl, failed to break even at the box office, which prompted fans to wonder whether the saga could have a profitable future in the long run. Moreover, many projects like Waller, The Authority, and Paradise Lost were canceled just three years after being announced, which was seen as an indication of behind-the-scenes turmoil. But what caused more intrigue was the fact that DC's parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery, found a new owner.
The Skydance Corporation finalized a deal to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery and its library of characters, IPs, and projects. Initially, it was announced that this deal wouldn't affect the internal leadership of DC Studios. Entertainment outlets such as Deadline reported that James Gunn and Peter Safran would continue to "lead the film, TV, and comic book production hub" even after the merger. However, those plans seemed to have changed faster than anyone could've anticipated.
Marvel Executive Jeremy Latcham to lead DC Studios as James Gunn and Peter Safran step down from their roles
On Nov. 9, 2026, it was announced that James Gunn and Peter Safran will step down from their position as co-CEOs and chairmen of DC Studios. What's more interesting is that Marvel SVP of Production and Development Jeremy Latcham will take the reins starting Dec. 1, 2026.
Of course, the biggest question is: What does this mean for the future of the DC Universe? After all, James Gunn is currently directing the Superman sequel, Man of Tomorrow, which Peter Safran is also producing. Well, for the time being, it seems the former co-CEOs will remain creatively involved in the franchise and oversee the completion of Man of Tomorrow. This was revealed in a statement made by Gunn and Safran in Skydance's third-quarter earnings report:
"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. We’re excited to return to what drew us to this job in the first place, which is telling the stories we love, including the next chapter of Clark and Lex’s journey in Man of Tomorrow."
Moreover, James Gunn is currently writing a new, untitled DC project set to be released after Man of Tomorrow, as revealed in a personal statement he wrote after the news broke:
James Gunn has shared a statement. pic.twitter.com/G0LIWPLWZO
— Nexus Point News (@NexusPointNews) November 9, 2026
In Skydance's earnings report, David Ellison and Ynon Kreiz, co-CEOs of Skydance, opened up about the major leadership that's bound to take in DC Studios:
"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. 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."
James Gunn announced the first wave of DCU projects back in 2023, and since then, we've had no official updates about what projects will be released in the future. We've heard rumors about a Bane and Deathstroke movie being in the works, while the studio has made isolated project announcements, as was the case with The People v. Gorilla Grodd.
Since there is no major roadmap to follow, it isn't far-fetched to assume the internal, planned slate could be significantly overhauled to shine a spotlight on more popular heroes such as Batman, Wonder Woman, and the Flash. However, it remains to be seen how this leadership change affects the franchise, and whether James Gunn and Peter Safran will remain involved as creators in the long run.
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