According to The Hollywood Reporter, filmmaker James Gunn and producer Peter Safran have been hired by Warner Bros. to lead DC’s film, television and animation productions in a newly named “DC Studios”.
Replacing DC Films, Gunn and Safran will act as co-chairs and co-CEOs of DC Studios, and will report to Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav.
DC Films boss Walter Hamada departed last week, paving the way for a new era for DC films. Gunn will focus on the creative aspects of the business, with Safran taking on the business and production side of things.
“DC has among the most entertaining, powerful, and iconic characters in the world and I am thrilled to have the singular and complementary talents of James and Peter joining our world-class team and overseeing the creative direction of the storied DC Universe,” said Zaslav in a statement. “Their decades of experience in filmmaking, close ties to the creative community, and proven track record thrilling superhero fans around the globe make them uniquely qualified to develop a long-term strategy across film, TV, and animation, and take this iconic franchise to the next level of creative storytelling.”
“We’re honored to be the stewards of these DC characters we’ve loved since we were children,” Gunn and Safran said in a statement. “We look forward to collaborating with the most talented writers, directors, and actors in the world to create an integrated, multilayered universe that still allows for the individual expression of the artists involved. Our commitment to Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Harley Quinn, and the rest of the DC stable of characters is only equaled by our commitment to the wonder of human possibility these characters represent. We’re excited to invigorate the theatrical experience around the world as we tell some of the biggest, most beautiful, and grandest stories ever told.”
The duo will officially take on their new positions as of November 1, 2022.
I think this is a solid move. You’re never going to get a Kevin feige like person because there is only one, but I think Gunn is savvy enough about the business to do a decent job with this. I know some people are worried he’s going to just shape the universe in his style, but I think he will allow creators to have their own space and he will play with the fringe or side characters he’s always enjoyed. It would be interesting to find out what happened behind the scenes because I know The Rock was also lobbying… Read more »
Seconded. These finally feel like positive steps for WB.
So much to explore with Superman and his world. The cosmic stories like Braniac, Mongul/Warworld, Darkseid and the New Gods to Earthly realm of Luthor, Parasite, Metallo, Steel Crew, etc etc. Endless possibilities. But time will tell of course as it always does.
Thanks you author for sharing this important news with us.
Any chance that they would be willing to make a Brandon Routh Superman project of some kind? Hoechlin has a Superman series, And now Cavill will be back for the films. But what about Brandon Routh’s Superman? What about his fans like me? Can we please have something too? As a Superman fan I’m feeling left out. 🙁
I’d welcome his return too, but is Routh really the ONLY Superman you like?
Any chance that they would be willing to make a Tom Welling Superman project of some kind? Hoechlin has a Superman series, And now Cavill will be back for the films. But what about Tom Welling’s Superman? What about his fans like me? Can we please have something too?
As a Superman fan I’m feeling left out.