James Gunn Exits DC Studios as Skydance Turns to a Marvel Veteran

James Gunn is leaving DC Studios after four years at the helm, ending a leadership partnership with Peter Safran in the latest shake-up at the superhero studio. Skydance Motion Picture Group announced Monday that both men are stepping down as co-chief executives. The departure comes despite Gunn and Safran initially remaining in place after Skydance acquired Warner Bros. Discovery. The studio’s merger with Paramount Pictures was completed around the release of DC’s Clayface, but the pair will not continue in their leadership roles under the new setup. Skydance chairman and chief executive David Ellison is turning to Jeremy Latcham to lead DC Studios. Latcham is a veteran of Marvel Studios who worked on the early Marvel Cinematic Universe, including Iron Man and The Avengers. He has also worked with Gunn and Safran on the Guardians of the Galaxy films. The transition is set to take effect on December 1. The article notes that a substantial slate of projects is already in production, meaning work shaped during Gunn and Safran’s tenure will remain part of DC’s plans for some time after they leave. Gunn’s time in charge began only recently in film terms: Superman, the first movie he led for the studio, reached theaters last year. But the merger has now brought another change at the top, with Latcham set to take over as the company looks ahead to its next phase.