--- title: "DC Studios Leadership Change Announced" url: https://noti.group/dc-studios-leadership-change-announced/ language: en publisher: "Noti Group" section: "Entertainment" published: 2026-11-10T05:01:12.000Z updated: 2026-11-10T05:28:43.529Z id: cf4ff7ce-5c3c-452c-b495-610ceade6d8d source: "The Hollywood Reporter https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/james-gunn-peter-safran-ouster-dc-1236751437/" attribution: "Link to https://noti.group/dc-studios-leadership-change-announced/ and name Noti Group when you quote or summarize this story." --- # DC Studios Leadership Change Announced James Gunn and Peter Safran's plans for DC Studios were put on hold after being informed by David Ellison and Ynon Kreiz that their time at the helm was coming to an end. James Gunn and Peter Safran, the co-heads of DC Studios, had been riding high on the success of their latest project, Clayface, a horror movie that exceeded expectations at the box office. Released in October, the film raked in over $100 million globally on a modest budget of $44 million, sparking talk of more low-key DC movies along similar lines. The duo's confidence was further boosted by the completion of production on Man of Tomorrow, the sequel to Superman that is set for release in July 2027. According to sources, Gunn had even begun working on a third installment in the series, with plans to make it a trilogy and potentially link it up with other DC properties. As part of this broader strategy, Gunn aimed to release a new Superman movie every two years, possibly paving the way for a Justice League team-up down the line. This ambitious vision was seen as a key component of the duo's long-term plan for the DC franchise. However, all of these plans were put on hold when David Ellison and Ynon Kreiz, co-CEOs of Skydance, arrived at Gunn and Safran's offices on November 6th. According to sources, they delivered some unexpected news that would soon have far-reaching consequences for the DC Studios leadership. The visit marked a sudden change in direction from previous assurances given by Ellison and Kreiz, who had indicated that Gunn and Safran would be integral to the new Skydance mega-studio. Instead, the duo was informed that their time at the helm of DC Studios was coming to an end after four years of high-profile work on comic book films and TV shows. The replacement for James Gunn and Peter Safran at DC Studios was a surprise to many in the industry. Jeremy Latcham, a mild-mannered producer with a background in Marvel Studios' executive team, took over the reins. Latcham's career path has been quite different from that of his predecessors. He left Marvel to become an independent producer and focus on inspirational movies, such as the Wright Brothers feature Flyer, which is part of the faith-focused studio Wonder Project. The producer has expressed a desire to create projects that uplift people and promote positive values. In a recent interview, Latcham mentioned his goal of making movies and TV shows that restore faith in things worth believing in. Latcham's interest in faith-based content is evident in his work on the TV show House of David, which tells the story of a Biblical figure. His commitment to creating meaningful projects has led him to advocate for more films with deeper meaning. This shift in direction may have been influenced by Latcham's previous experience working on Marvel Studios' Guardians of the Galaxy, where he helped pave the way for James Gunn's rise as an A-list filmmaker. The executive shuffle at DC Studios was reportedly in the works since early fall and was precipitated by a conversation between Latcham and Josh Greenstein. The two have a long history of collaboration, dating back to their time working together nearly 20 years ago. Greenstein, who co-chairs the Skydance Motion Picture Group with Dana Goldberg, has been instrumental in shaping Latcham's career path. Their partnership has led to notable projects, including Spider-Man: Homecoming made in association with Marvel Studios. The power dynamics at DC Studios have been a point of contention between its leaders and the new management team led by Skydance's Jonathon Greenstein and Dana Goldberg. Sources indicate that Gunn and Safran were accustomed to having direct access to Warner Bros.' CEO David Zaslav, which would continue in the event of a change in leadership. However, their contracts stipulated that they maintain this reporting structure, which has created tension with Greenstein and Goldberg who are trying to consolidate all production under them. This has led to a clash between the two groups, as Gunn and Safran were used to having final say over movies, TV shows, and animation. According to insiders, Gunn and Safran had complete control over every aspect of DC product rollout, which they valued highly. However, this is no longer the case under the new regime, where decisions will be made by Greenstein and Goldberg. The change in reporting structure has caused friction between the two groups. The tension also stems from the fact that Gunn and Safran were not forthcoming or slow to share plans, slate details, and footage with Skydance's movie heads. This lack of transparency has been a point of contention, leading some to speculate that the new regime is trying to exert more control over DC Studios. Another insider notes that David Ellison never wanted DC to report directly to him in the first place, preferring instead to focus on studio politics and decision-making. This has led to a power shift at DC Studios, with Greenstein and Goldberg now calling the shots. The financial performance of DC movies has also been a point of contention, particularly for films like Supergirl which was seen as a disaster by the new regime. Even Superman, which grossed $618 million worldwide, did not meet expectations in terms of cultural impact, leading some to question its profitability. Latcham's ascension to the top of DC Studios began 22 years ago in a vastly different era for superhero movies. At that time, he was working as an assistant at Endeavor when David Maisel left to lead Marvel Studios and took Latcham with him as his assistant. The young executive was initially surprised by the modest setup of Marvel's Santa Monica Blvd. offices. A year and a half later, Maisel orchestrated Marvel's transition from financing licensed movies based on its characters to producing its own films, starting with Iron Man. As Latcham rose through the ranks at Marvel, he became known for his down-to-earth approach, often pondering whether his grandparents would appreciate the movies he worked on. Sources describe Latcham as a middle-of-the-road executive who strives to create hits that appeal to broad audiences and get people into movie theaters. Unlike Gunn's focus on edgy characters, Latcham was seen as the go-to guy for more mainstream fare, aligning with David Ellison's taste in films. Latcham is known for being a family man who prefers a low-key lifestyle, eschewing the trappings of Hollywood. He plans to split his time between Los Angeles and Texas, where he lives with his wife and daughter, as well as his parents on their property. As a producer, Latcham is expected to be hands-on, often spending time on sets to get a feel for the project. This approach may serve him well in DC's efforts to reboot its film slate. Latcham's departure from Marvel was likely a result of his growing ambition and desire for more creative control. With his new role at DC, he will have the opportunity to shape the studio's future and bring his unique perspective to the world of superhero movies. As Latcham begins this new chapter in his career, it remains to be seen how his approach will mesh with the existing team at DC Studios and whether he can deliver the kind of mainstream success that has eluded some of his predecessors. Gunn and Safran will still maintain a level of influence at DC Studios despite their departure as co-CEOs. This is due in part to their existing relationships with Warner Bros., particularly for Safran, who has a long history with the studio through his work on The Conjuring franchise. Safran's involvement with the Conjuring movies has been a significant factor in his connection to Warner Bros., and this relationship will likely continue to benefit him despite his departure from DC Studios. Meanwhile, Gunn's move back to the creative side of filmmaking is seen as a welcome relief by those close to him, who note that he was never suited for executive life. Gunn has publicly acknowledged that studio politics were not for him, and that he will miss working with the people at DC but is relieved to be returning to pure filmmaking. His Instagram post on Monday highlighted his desire to focus on creative pursuits once again. As Latcham begins this new chapter in his career, it remains to be seen how his approach will mesh with the existing team at DC Studios and whether he can deliver the kind of mainstream success that has eluded some of his projects. Latcham is currently winding down his involvement in various projects, including the big-budget movie Naruto for Lionsgate and Sony. This transition is likely a result of his new role as CEO of DC Studios, where he will be focused on guiding the overall strategy and direction of the studio. It remains to be seen whether Gunn's vision for Superman will be completed or if any other aspects of their announced DC slate in 2022 will move forward. The slate was still in its early stages when the news broke, leaving many questions about what this means for the future of DC movies at Warner Bros. The recent turmoil surrounding DC Studios serves as a reminder of the challenges facing the studio's film division in the modern era. With only a few projects currently in development, including Man of Tomorrow and The Batman Part II, fans are left wondering if the studio can finally find its footing in the competitive world of superhero movies. The uncertainty surrounding DC's future has left fans questioning their investment in the franchise. With a string of high-profile exits, including James Gunn and Peter Safran, it's clear that the studio is struggling to maintain stability. Fears are growing that this instability may be unsustainable for audiences who have been repeatedly let down by the constant changes within the DC universe. The concern is not unfounded, as one insider notes that fans can only be expected to tolerate so much before losing trust in the franchise altogether. --- Source: [The Hollywood Reporter](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/james-gunn-peter-safran-ouster-dc-1236751437/) Published by Noti Group: https://noti.group/dc-studios-leadership-change-announced/