There’s a new sheriff in DC town—or two of them, rather. In what The Hollywood Reporter calls “a stunning turn of events,” Warner Bros. finally has its replacement for departing DC Films head Walter Hamada, but they’ve changed more than just the person. Director James Gunn and producer Peter Safran will now be in charge of DC Studios, which encompasses the comic book company’s TV, film, and animation projects. The director and producer share the titles of co-chairs and co-CEOs, which is a lot to put on a business card.
Part of what makes this such a surprise, as THR notes, is that it’s a director stepping into an executive position. “Gunn will focus on the creative side of things, while Safran will focus on the business and production side. Both are expected to continue to direct and produce projects, respectively,” THR‘s Borys Kit and Aaron Crouch write. The new co-chairs report to Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav.
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Reportedly, this arrangement is for four years—years in which Gunn, a successful director for both DC and Marvel, is limited to working only for DC. Safran is also no stranger to DC, having produced the Aquaman and Shazam! movies along with Gunn’s The Suicide Squad and its TV spinoff, Peacemaker (pictured above).
In a statement, the new bosses said:
“We look forward to collaborating with the most talented writers, directors, and actors in the world to create an integrated, multilayered 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 equaled 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.”
Those hoping that the executive changeover might lead to Batgirl getting released might note that the character doesn’t rate a mention here.
In conclusion:
Kevin Feige accidentally creating his own arch nemesis is such a beautiful comic book arc
— Daniel Galleghost 👻 (@BeanWalrus) October 25, 2022
