James Gunn and Peter Safran will lead DC Studios … formerly known as DC Films in MAJOR move for Warner Bros. Discovery
- The tandem will take over November 1
- They will report to Warner Bros. Discovery president and CEO David Zaslav
- Gunn has had successes such as the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise and The Suicide Squad
- Safran has been the producer on hits including Aquaman, Shazam and Flatliners
Director James Gunn and producer Peter Safran have been announced as the co-chairmen and CEOs of DC Studios, Warner Bros. Discovery announced Tuesday.
'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. '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 latest: Director James Gunn and producer Peter Safran have been announced as the co-chairmen and CEOs of DC Studios, Warner Bros. Discovery announced Tuesday
The studio said that beginning November 1, the duo will work on a long-term game plan for the studio's DC Comics interests in film, TV and animation, in addition to working on solo ventures.
Gunn, who has had successes such as the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise and The Suicide Squad, which Safran has been the producer on hits including Aquaman, Shazam and Flatliners.
Share this article
Warner Bros. Discovery president and CEO David Zaslav said in a statement of Gunn and Safran: '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.'
The unit known as DC Films was previously led by Walter Hamada over the past four years; Hamada left the position left week.
Gunn, who honed his craft as an independent filmmaker, has had huge hits with 2014's Guardians of the Galaxy and its 2017 sequel Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
Gunn will be positioned on the creative side of the endeavor, while Safran will oversee business and production
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the appointment of Gunn and Safran into the positions come conclude a months-long search that spurred widespread speculation in Hollywood.
Gunn and Safran had been seen in recent meetings with Warners film co-chair Michael De Luca on the studio lot, sources told the outlet, noting that De Luca initially sought out Safran and Gunn to fill the position during a time it was also negotiating with Dan Lin.
Sources told the outlet that Gunn and Safran will report directly to Zaslav, and work with film execs De Luca and Pamela Abdy.
De Luca and Abdy said in a statement, 'We could not be more excited to have James Gunn and Peter Safran join the team and assume the leadership of the DC Universe. James is a brilliant filmmaker and storyteller and Peter is a tremendously successful and prolific producer and to have them both committing to work together to forge this new era for DC is a literal dream come true.
'We all share a very similar sensibility and passion for this universe and the stars couldn't have aligned any better. We can't wait to get started, dig in, and collaborate with these unmatched creative minds.'
The pair will take over a number of popular DC franchises, including Superman (starring Henry Cavill)
Gunn will be positioned on the creative side of the endeavor, while Safran will oversee business and production, sources told THR. Insiders told the outlet that the pact spans four years and Gunn will work exclusively for DC.
The forthcoming Joker sequel will be supervised by De Luca and Abdy ahead of its upcoming production.
Gunn, who honed his craft as an independent filmmaker, has had huge hits with 2014's Guardians of the Galaxy and its 2017 sequel Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. He made his foray from Marvel to DC after he was fired over controversial past tweets in 2018.
He was later reinstated by Marvel, and is directing the third installment of the Guardians of the Galaxy due to be released next May. He has had early successes at DC with 2021's The Suicide Squad and the HBO Max series Peacemaker.
Safran was initially a manager - Gunn was one of his clients - and has worked extensively with DC and the studio over the past decade.
