Comic book movie maker James Gunn has shared a letter with fans after DC Studios announced he and Peter Safran would be stepping down as co-chairmen of DC Studios.
‘Shock’ maybe doesn’t do a good enough job of describing how DC movie watchers feel after the sudden shakeup was announced just moments ago. Although Gunn and Safran will remain creatively involved in at least some near-term projects, the plan is to see them vacate their positions starting December 1, leaving the future of the DCU slate uncertain as former Marvel exec Jeremy Latcham fills the role.
Gunn took to Threads to share thoughts on the matter in a lengthy statement. After four years in one of the most high-profile gigs in film and his role seemingly unaffected in the wake of the Paramount-Warner Bros. Skydance merger last month, it’s safe to say no one was expecting to see him leave. But for Gunn, it was a long time coming.
“Oh, boy. What a four years,” he began. “Thanks to all of you who have supported me and Peter in our time as the heads of DC Studios. When I was a kid growing up in Manchester, Missouri, I used to write and draw my own comics with a mix of DC Comics characters and my own characters. Having full access to these characters to do whatever we wanted has been a dream come true. I didn’t know if I wanted this job when it was offered to me, but I just couldn’t pass up the unique opportunity.
He added: “I’m glad I took the job.”
You don’t have to look too hard to know that there are plenty of vocal people online who would disagree, but it’s hard to argue that Gunn and Safran’s oversight hasn’t resulted in some success. The DCU lifted off with Superman just last year and was generally seen as a strong start for the budding universe. Supergirl arrived as an undeniable misstep this past June but was then followed by the praise brought forth by Lanterns. Clayface, which premiered just weeks ago, crossed $100 million this past weekend despite its relatively low budget and brutal body-horror concept.
These projects have their haters and lovers, but with Superman sequel Man of Tomorrow due out next year and The People v. Gorilla Grodd still in the works, there’s no telling what will follow. Through the outside ups and downs, Gunn added that, behind the scenes, things have been tough.
“But what only the closest people to me have known over the past four years is my time at DC Studios has been trying, to say the least,” he continued. “I dislike the at-times corporate nature of the job (thanks to Peter for taking the brunt of that). I’m always a very hard worker, but as a filmmaker, I would at least get to take short breaks to unwind, and I’ve stolen even that time from both myself and my loved one over the past four years (Jenn [Jennifer Holland], I love you and I’m sorry, and you don’t need to feel guilty for being the happiest of all people that I’m no longer doing this job). And the thing my ADHD hyperfocus has had the most difficulty with has been dividing my time between projects I’m incredibly passionate about and the ones I’m not so much and all the things I have to do as a studio head.
“There have been so many highs along the way – releasing Superman and Clayface, making Peacemaker, reading the scripts to [The People v. Gorilla Grodd], the entire process of Man of Tomorrow, which thus far has been the best filmmaking experience of my life, and numerous other moments.
“The highest of the highs have been all the talented and wonderful people I’ve worked with and grown to love: the DC Studios crew, our talented collaborators, our casts and crews, and the boisterous and hilarious fans. And the best part of all has been working with Peter Safra, the smartest and most competent person I know. You’ve been the best partner a person could ask for, and, more so, a truly good friend.
Gunn signed off: “So, yes, I will miss the people around me, and I will miss being the co-caretaker of these great characters, but I’m also incredibly relieved and excited to get back to pure filmmaking.
“That’s not to say Peter and I are immediately done with DC or superheroes. We have Man of Tomorrow out this summer. And we’ve just been engaged on another DC project which I’m writing, and we’ll see where it goes after that. And, of course, the characters we set up will live on.
“Thank you so very, very much for embracing the characters and stories we’ve put on screen. Love and gratitude, James Gunn.”
Gunn and Safran’s exit from DC Studios is still very, very fresh, so we won’t have a clear picture of how it might affect the DCU for quite some time. The exact details behind the shakeup are also unclear.
While the DCU has brought a few Green Lanterns, Clark Kent, and more iconic superheroes into the live-action realm, there are plenty of other question marks left hanging. Despite rumors, there’s been no official sign of Wonder Woman, and DC Studios has continued to keep fans in the dark when it comes to the next new Batman. Meanwhile, regardless of any shuffling behind the scenes, The Batman Part 2 is still roaring toward its February 18, 2028, release date.
You can see the full list of every DC project in the works as of right now. With new leadership stepping in, expect big changes as soon as December. What’s next for Gunn and Safran after their creative work wraps up remains to be seen.
IGN caught up with Gunn’s comic book movie partner for an interview last month. For more, you can read what Gunn had to say about the DCU’s approach to an interconnected movie universe.
Photo by Stewart Cook/Warner Bros. via Getty Images.
Michael Cripe is a freelance writer with IGN. He’s best known for his work at sites like The Pitch, The Escapist, and OnlySP. Be sure to give him a follow on Bluesky (@mikecripe.bsky.social) and Twitter (@MikeCripe).
