Writer and director Gunn is adding the job of top Hollywood executive to his CV (Picture: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic)
James Gunn and Peter Safran have been appointed as co-chairmen and CEOs of the brand-new DC Studios in a bold move from Warner Bros.
The Guardians of the Galaxy director and DC producer, who most recently worked together on 2021’s The Suicide Squad and this year’s Peacemeaker TV series, will oversee the newly-formed division, which is replacing DC Films, meaning they will now be in charge of DC’s film, TV and animation efforts.
The duo will report to Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav, in place of DC Films boss Walter Hamada, who left the company last week.
It’s the first time a film director has been given a leading executive post in Hollywood, with Gunn in charge of the creative side while Safran will lead on business and the production side.
Both are expected to continue with their own projects too, with Gunn currently finishing off his work for Disney and Marvel with Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3 next year, while Safran is busy with Shazam! Fury of the Gods and Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.
The pair said in a joint statement: ‘We’re honoured to be the stewards of these DC characters we’ve loved since we were children.
Peter Safran (L, pictured with Peter Capaldi) is joining Gunn to lead the new DC Studios (Picture: Dave J Hogan/Getty Images for Warner Bros)
‘We look forward to collaborating with the most talented writers, directors, and actors in the world to create an integrated, multi-layered 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 equalled 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.’
Gunn still has mega Marvel movie Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3 to come out, but after that is reportedly set to be exclusive to Warner Bros and DC Studios in a four-year deal (Picture: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
According to The Hollywood Reporter, it’s believed that Gunn will become exclusive to DC in a deal that is set to run for four years.
As DC produces films set in separate universes to one another – unlike the all-encompassing and interconnected MCU – Todd Phillips’ Joker sequel with Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga will not fall under the remit of Gunn and Safran, but rather Warners film bosses Michael De Luca and Pamela Abdy, according to the publication.
It’s also said to not yet be clear whose jurisdiction Matt Reeves’ Batman movies with Robert Pattinson will fall under, but Safran and Gunn will be working closely with De Luca and Abdy at the studio, and everything else yet to be announced would be under the new executives.
Jason Momoa’s Aquaman is one of the iconic characters now under the joint care of Gunn and Safran (Picture: Warner Bros.)
However, Todd Phillips’ Joker sequel will apparently fall to Warners film executives Michael De Luca and Pamela Abdy (Picture: Warner Bros.)
Zaslav, who had been searching for a replacement for Hamada, is ‘thrilled’ to have appointed Gunn and Safran.
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He said in a statement: ‘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.
‘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.’
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Gunn and Safran will in charge of everything DC, from film and TV to animation projects.