DC Films has been looking for someone to take the lead at the studio for future films under the banner. The former head of DC Walter Hamada left the production company last week. James Gunn and Peter Safran have been spotted at Warner Bros, probably meeting with the co-chair Michael De Luca to discuss future projects. The filmmaker and producer have been hired as the new co-chairs and co-CEOs of DC Studios. The duo will be working under the newly formed division DC Studios, which will replace DC Films.
The studio was also in talks to hire producer Dan Lin to take the job. But since the release of Peacemaker, not just fans, the studio has also been looking forward to seeing the Brightburn creator take over future DC projects.
James Gunn and Peter Safran to Lead DC Studios
James Gunn and Peter Safran will lead DC’s film, TV, and animation as co-chairs and co-CEOs of DC studios. Warner Bros have replaced DC Films with a new decision named, DC Studios. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the Guardians of the Galaxy director will report to David Zaslav and work closely with Warners film bosses De Luca and Pamela Abdy.
The Peacemaker director will focus on the creative side of things and Safran will focus on the business and production. They will continue to direct and produce DC films. The duo is also expected to work as an executive while they’re working on a film.
DC is set in separate universes and there are several films that do not take place in DCEU. Gunn and Safran are most probably taking over DCEU films. Reports have suggested that the upcoming sequel to Todd Phillips’ Joker, will not fall under the duo, but will be overseen by De Luca and Abdy.
Similarly, Matt Reeves’ The Batman is also set in a different universe. However, the studio has yet not revealed who will oversee the production of The Batman 2.
Marvel Studios Fired James Gunn From the Guardians Of The Galaxy Franchise
James Gunn became an A-list director in 2014 with Marvel Studios’ Guardians of the Galaxy followed by a sequel in 2017. After a successful sequel, the director was to work on Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 3. However, after a batch of offensive tweets was unearthed, the studio fired the director in 2018.
After this, Gunn joined DC to develop The Suicide Squad, followed by a spin-off, Peacemaker starring John Cena. The director is currently working on the second season of Peacemaker. Marvel later reinstated Gunn as writer-director of Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 3 in 2019.
Can James Gunn and Peter Safran Improve DCEU in Four Years?
James Gunn and Peter Safran have signed the deal for four years only. The duo will take charge starting on November 1, 2022. However, many are now skeptical if the four-year time period is enough to change or improve DCEU. The CEO of Warner Bros, David Zaslav has said that the studio wants to move ahead with a ten-year plan for the DC films.
Considering Joker and The Batman sequel will not fall under Gunn and Safran, only the second season of Peacemaker, which is being developed under James Gunn and Peter Safran.
All the upcoming movies, including Shazam: Fury of the Gods, The Flash, Blue Beetle, and Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom were already finished under the former head, Walter Hamada. Although Patty Jenkins has said that the script for Wonder Woman 3 is complete, the lead actress has hinted that it won’t take place anytime soon.
2023 will be occupied with the already finished DC projects, leaving Gunn and Safran with only three years with whatever they have planned. The studio has also confirmed Man of Steel 2, which can fall under Gunn and Safran. However, nothing is confirmed yet. The studio will have to plan and act quickly with future DC projects. Gunn is currently working on Peacemaker Season 2.
Peacemaker Season 2 is expected to release in late 2023 or early 2024 on HBO Max.
Source: Twitter