Whoa! As part of a major executive decision, James Gunn and Peter Safran are stepping down from their roles as Co-CEOs and Chairman of DC Studios. The duo, who have held the illustrious positions for four years, will continue to produce on various DC projects while returning to their creative work full-time.
Jeremy Latcham Steps In
Taking over the position for Gunn and Safran is former Marvel SVP of Production and Development, Jeremy Latcham. He starts the position on Dec. 1 and reports to Skydance Motion Picture Group co-chairs, Dana Goldberg and Josh Greenstein.
Gunn and Latcham are old acquaintances. They previously worked together on Gunn’s Guardians of the Galaxy, with Latcham also contributing to MCU films like Iron Man, Spider-Man, and The Avengers. In his new position, Latcham will lead DC’s film, television, and animation slate, overseeing the creative pipeline, along with production, talent, and strategy.
Skydance Leadership Weighs In
David Ellison, Chairman and CEO, and Ynon Kreiz, Co-CEO, of Skydance said in a statement about today’s news, “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.”
Gunn and Safran Look to the Future
Said Gunn and Safran: “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 andClayface. 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.”
“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.”
A Vision for the Next Era of DC
“DC’s pantheon of characters is among the most iconic in American popular culture. I’ve had the privilege to help bring some of the most celebrated superhero stories to life on the big screen, and I’m excited and honored for the opportunity to now lead DC Studios into its next era. The chance to steward the incredible cast of DC characters to the screen in a way that excites lifelong fans while introducing their timeless stories to the next generation is a massive responsibility that I do not take lightly,” said Latcham. “I am grateful to Dana and Josh for putting their trust in me. I can’t wait to work night and day alongside filmmakers, comic book creators, artists and storytellers of every kind, across film, television and animation, to build something ambitious for longtime DC fans and newcomers alike.”
Wow! I’m not gonna say the writing wasn’t on the wall, but this news still comes as a bit of a shock. I thought we’d get a few more projects out of Gunn and Safran at the very least before they exited their roles. However, between Supergirl’s underperformance and the admirable (but not amazing) efforts of Clayface, I can understand why the studio’s new management is looking to go in another direction. There’s a handful of other factors to consider that I’ll dive into once I’ve had time to get my ducks in a row, but for now, I’m just gonna let it sink in that Gunn and Safran will no longer be in charge at DC Studios by the end of this month. Crazy.
In addition to Gunn’s statement during the call, he also posted a heartfelt message on his Instagram account, thanking fans for their support and explaining the mental gymnastics that come with being at the top of DC Studios:
