James Gunn exits DC Studios’ executive leadership alongside Peter Safran as Skydance appoints former Marvel executive Jeremy Latcham to take over on December 1, 2026. The change does not end Gunn’s work on Superman. The announcement also clarifies the status of several DC films and television projects.
Key Takeaways
- James Gunn and Peter Safran will leave their DC Studios leadership positions after four years
- Former Marvel executive Jeremy Latcham becomes president and chief creative officer on December 1, 2026
- Gunn remains the writer and director of Man of Tomorrow, scheduled for July 9, 2027
- The Batman Part II and several DC television productions remain part of the studio’s announced slate
James Gunn and Peter Safran will step down as the co-heads of DC Studios after four years, Skydance Motion Picture Group announced on Monday, November 9. Jeremy Latcham, a former Marvel Studios executive and film producer, has been named president and chief creative officer, effective December 1.
The change follows Skydance’s October 6 acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. Gunn and Safran had been included in an earlier leadership plan, making the November appointment a significant revision to how the company’s comic-book productions will be supervised. Both are returning to creative work rather than ending their involvement with DC.
James Gunn Exits DC Studios Leadership but Remains Involved in DC Films
Gunn and Safran were appointed to lead DC Studios in 2022, with responsibility for coordinating film and television adaptations of DC characters. Gunn brought experience as a writer and director, including Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy films. Safran had worked as a producer on franchises including The Conjuring and Aquaman.
Their work included the 2025 release of Superman and the television projects Peacemaker and Creature Commandos. The company also identified Lanterns and the October 2026 film Clayface among productions associated with their tenure.
Gunn addressed his departure in an Instagram statement on November 9, explaining that the job’s administrative demands had been difficult to balance with filmmaking.
“I dislike the at-times corporate nature of the job,” he wrote.
The filmmaker said he was relieved to return to writing and directing. He indicated that Man of Tomorrow remains an active commitment and said he had been engaged to write another DC project. He did not disclose that project’s title, release date or production status.
The leadership change follows a period of varied box-office results. According to Skydance, Superman earned more than $618 million worldwide, while Clayface had exceeded $109 million as of November 9. Screen Daily reported $126.5 million worldwide for Supergirl, released earlier in 2026. Those figures describe individual releases, not the full financial performance of DC Studios.
Skydance did not identify box-office results or creative disagreements as the reason for the executive transition. Its announcement stated that Gunn and Safran would return to creative work, and the two expressed support for Latcham’s appointment.
Jeremy Latcham Takes Over DC Studios After Years at Marvel
Jeremy Latcham joined Marvel Studios in 2004 and later became senior vice president of production and development. His credits span Iron Man, The Avengers, Guardians of the Galaxy, Avengers: Age of Ultron and Spider-Man: Homecoming, giving him experience managing productions across connected film franchises.
Latcham also has a prior professional connection with Gunn through Guardians of the Galaxy. Gunn and Safran acknowledged that relationship in their statement about the DC transition.
After leaving Marvel in 2017, Latcham founded Latcham Pictures and worked on Bad Times at the El Royale and Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves.
His new responsibilities extend beyond theatrical movies. Skydance said he will oversee DC Studios’ film, television and animation slate, including the creative pipeline, production, talent and strategy. He will report to Dana Goldberg and Josh Greenstein, the co-chairs of Skydance Motion Picture Group.
Skydance has not announced separate successors to each of Gunn and Safran’s former posts. It also has not released a revised schedule for the existing DC film slate as part of the leadership announcement.
Projects at earlier stages of development remain less defined. A November report described the developing Constantine film, with Francis Galluppi attached to write a screenplay. No director, cast or release date had been announced for that project. Skydance’s leadership announcement did not specify how Latcham would prioritize such undated productions.
For now, his appointment establishes who will make executive and creative decisions after December 1. It does not, by itself, confirm changes to individual casting arrangements, scripts or release dates.
Superman, Batman and DC Television Projects Continue Under the Transition
The most immediate project involving Gunn is Man of Tomorrow. Skydance said the Superman sequel is in post-production and remains scheduled for July 9, 2027, in U.S. theaters. Gunn wrote and directed the film, with Safran and Gunn producing.
David Corenswet returns as Clark Kent, while Nicholas Hoult plays Lex Luthor. Skydance described the sequel as continuing the story of those characters. The company did not announce changes to the cast, production team or theatrical date when it named Latcham as the incoming DC Studios chief.
Another major project is The Batman Part II, starring Robert Pattinson and directed by Matt Reeves. Filming was paused in October while Reeves addressed a family matter. That earlier interruption was documented in reporting on the Batman sequel’s production pause. Skydance’s November 9 statement describes the film as currently in production, without announcing a new delay.
Gunn and Safran are also listed as producers on The Batman Part II. The company did not provide an updated division of responsibilities between the outgoing executives and Latcham for individual productions.
On television, Skydance cited the series Lanterns and the previously released Peacemaker and Creature Commandos as part of Gunn and Safran’s work.
It also confirmed that the eight-episode HBO Max series The People v. Gorilla Grodd has completed filming and is expected in 2027. Skyler Gisondo plays Jimmy Olsen and Jimmy Tatro portrays Gorilla Grodd, with Gunn and Safran serving as executive producers.
The production details distinguish ongoing creative commitments from the studio’s executive transition. Latcham begins his role December 1, while Gunn’s publicly announced work on Man of Tomorrow continues. No additional changes to the named projects were disclosed in Skydance’s November 9 announcement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is James Gunn leaving DC Studios leadership?
Skydance confirmed that Gunn and Peter Safran will leave their executive posts and return to creative work. Gunn described the administrative aspects of the job as difficult, but the company did not announce a specific reason for the change.
Who is replacing James Gunn at DC Studios?
Former Marvel executive Jeremy Latcham will become DC Studios president and chief creative officer on December 1, 2026. He will oversee film, television and animation and report to Skydance film chiefs Dana Goldberg and Josh Greenstein.
Will James Gunn still direct Man of Tomorrow?
Yes. James Gunn exits DC Studios’ executive leadership but remains the writer and director of Man of Tomorrow, which Skydance said is in post-production. The Superman sequel is scheduled for July 9, 2027.
Is The Batman Part II still in production?
Skydance said on November 9 that The Batman Part II, starring Robert Pattinson, is in production. The announcement did not disclose a new release-date change.
What other DC projects did the studio confirm?
Skydance identified Lanterns and The People v. Gorilla Grodd among its television projects. It said the latter has completed filming and is expected to premiere in 2027.
