James Gunn, Peter Safran out as Marvel vet Jeremy Latcham takes reins at DC Studios

James Gunn (L) and Peter Safran

DC Studios co-CEOs and chairmen James Gunn and Peter Safran are leaving as the fallout from Paramount Skydance’s takeover of Warner Bros Discovery (WBD) continues.

The merged entity, Skydance, has tapped Marvel Studios veteran Jeremy Latcham to lead DC Studios as president and CEO, marking the latest major personnel shake-up overseen by David Ellison. Latcham begins on December 1.

Gunn and Safran are leaving after four years leading film, TV and digital for the superhero universe, which previously sat inside WBD. They will continue to produce several movies and series in the DC franchise, which includes IPs such as Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman and the Justice League.

While Gunn and Safran had previously reported directly to WBD CEO David Zaslav, a new reporting structure will see Latcham reporting to Skydance’s joint film heads Dana Goldberg and Josh Greenstein.

For Latcham, the appointment comes around nine years after he left his role at Marvel Studios, later founding his own label Latcham Pictures, which produced for studios including 20th Century Fox and Hasbro.

“DC’s pantheon of characters is among the most iconic in American popular culture. I’ve had the privilege to help bring some of the most celebrated superhero stories to life on the big screen, and I’m excited and honored for the opportunity to now lead DC Studios into its next era,” said Latcham.

“The chance to steward the incredible cast of DC characters to the screen in a way that excites lifelong fans while introducing their timeless stories to the next generation is a massive responsibility that I do not take lightly.”

Goldberg and Greenstein said Latcham brings a “deep reverence for DC and its passionate fanbase, recognising that they are the very foundation of this storied, multigenerational brand.

“Under his leadership, every film and television show will be ushered from start to finish through the prism of the legions of fans who love and champion it. Jeremy’s track record exemplifies the excellence he will bring to building out DC and the many beloved characters within it.”