James Gunn takes over all DC movies

Director James Gunn and producer Peter Safran will be co-chairs and co-CEOs of Warner Bros.’ new DC Studios, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter on Tuesday. DC Studios, a Warner Bros. new department, will manage all DC Universe projects in film, TV and animation.

Warner Bros. New Discovery CEO David Zaslav was looking for someone to replace Kevin Feige, Marvel Studios president. For a while, he has also been courting individuals from the entertainment sector.

Gunn previously had a closer relationship with Marvel, making the first two Guardians of the Galaxy movies before jumping ship to DC for 2021’s The Suicide Squad — He was fired by Marvel after the Guardians III movie. (He’s back on that project, however.) Tuesday’s news also happened to come hours after the trailer dropped for Gunn’s upcoming Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special. Gunn directed DC’s famous HBO Max program. Peacemaker, one of Polygon’s favorite shows of 2022.

Safran, while not as easily recognized as Gunn’s name, is an experienced producer who worked many times with Warner Bros. in recent years. Some of Safran’s earliest producing credits include his work with horror director and DC veteran James Wan. Safran’s producing work with Wan’s Conjuring Universe also set him up for the kind of franchise management that will be key to his success in his new role at DC. Safran, who has since moved to the DC Universe in its entirety, includes Shazam! movies and Gunn’s DC projects.

This is the latest hierarchy shift in the DC Universe, following executive Walter Hamada’s recent exit and years of turmoil preceding Warner Bros. takeover (and following it, including the infamous cancellation of Batgirl).