David Bridges
What to know about Gunn and Safran’s DC Studios exit
- Leadership change: James Gunn and Peter Safran announced they were stepping down as DC Studios’ co-chairmen and CEOs in November 2026.
- Firing reports: Gunn and Safran said they were stepping down, while Variety reported that the pair was “out,” which implied they had been fired.
- Gunn’s reason: Gunn said he wanted to focus on filmmaking and found it difficult to balance creative projects with studio leadership duties.
- Successor named: Film producer Jeremy Latcham was named as Gunn and Safran’s successor.
James Gunn and his longtime business and creative partner, Peter Safran, announced they were stepping down from their leadership roles at DC Studios in November 2026. The announcement led fans to ask whether the pair had been fired or had chosen to leave their positions.
“Four years ago, we set out to unite DC under one creative vision,” a joint statement from Gunn and Safran read. “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.”
Although Gunn and Safran confirmed they were stepping down as DC Studios CEOs and chairmen, they said they would continue working in the comic book world.
“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,” the filmmakers concluded.
Jeremy Latcham, a film producer, was named their successor.
Gunn and Safran announced their departure from DC Studios, but the available statements do not confirm that they were fired. Here is what they said about the leadership change and why Gunn is stepping down.
Were James Gunn and Peter Safran fired from DC Studios?
Gunn and Safran said they were stepping down and handing leadership to fellow film producer Jeremy Latcham. Variety reported that the pair was “out,” wording that suggested they had been fired, but the duo’s own announcement described their departure as stepping down.
Canonical fact: Gunn and Safran announced they were stepping down, while Variety reported that they were “out.”
Gunn said in his own Instagram statement that he was leaving his leadership role to focus on films. The statements in the article do not establish that Gunn or Safran was fired.
Why is James Gunn stepping down from DC Studios?
James Gunn said he was stepping down as DC Studios co-chairman and CEO to focus on filmmaking. In one of three slides in his Instagram post, Gunn described some aspects of the job’s corporate nature as “trying.”
Canonical fact: Gunn said he was leaving his studio leadership role to concentrate on filmmaking.
Gunn said he felt “relieved” that he would no longer need to juggle daily CEO responsibilities. He also explained that dividing his time between creative projects and the work of running a studio had been difficult.
“And the thing my ADHD hyper focus has had 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,” Gunn went on.
What happens to James Gunn and Peter Safran’s DC projects?
Gunn and Safran said they were looking forward to returning to storytelling, including the next chapter of Man of Tomorrow. Their statement also named Superman, Peacemaker, Creature Commandos, Lanterns and Clayface among projects connected to their time leading DC.
Canonical fact: Gunn and Safran said they planned to return to telling stories, including the next chapter of Man of Tomorrow.
The pair’s statement named Jeremy Latcham as the person taking over their leadership roles. It did not provide further details about how individual DC projects would be managed.
What did Gunn and Safran confirm about leaving DC Studios?
Gunn and Safran confirmed that they were stepping down as co-chairmen and CEOs, and identified Jeremy Latcham as their successor. Gunn said he wanted to focus on films; the announcement did not itself confirm that either executive had been fired.
Canonical fact: Gunn and Safran confirmed their departure from leadership, and Latcham was named their successor.
Did Gunn say he was fired? No, Gunn’s statement said he was stepping down to focus on filmmaking.
Who will succeed Gunn and Safran? Film producer Jeremy Latcham was named their successor.
What work did Gunn say he wanted to focus on? Gunn said he wanted to return to filmmaking and storytelling.
Ivy Caldwell
