JAMES GUNN AND PETER SAFRAN ARE OUT AT DC STUDIOS. WHAT THE HELL HAPPENS NOW?

Well hell, Monday just got cranked up to 11! James Gunn and Peter Safran are stepping down as co-heads of DC Studios, bringing an unexpected end to their four-year partnership. Skydance announced November 9 that former Marvel Studios executive Jeremy Latcham will take over as president and chief creative officer on December 1. Gunn and Safran will remain involved with certain projects, but the universe they spent four years rebuilding is now being handed to someone else.

The timing is particularly strange. On October 5, Skydance included Gunn and Safran in its incoming leadership team. Just over a month later, they're leaving. Studio leadership thanked them for "resetting the foundation and building a slate we’re incredibly proud of." If that's the case, why make such a dramatic change now? Whether this was their decision or something decided for them hasn't been established publicly.

Latcham brings plenty of superhero experience, having worked on Iron Man, The Avengers, Guardians of the Galaxy and Spider-Man: Homecoming. He called his new position a "massive responsibility that I do not take lightly." Gunn and Safran, meanwhile, reflected on their efforts to establish one connected DC Universe, with Gunn confirming he'll still direct Man of Tomorrow.

Gunn also addressed his departure on Instagram, discussing the exhausting demands of running a studio and his desire to return to filmmaking. He said he was "incredibly relieved and excited to get back to pure filmmaking." He also revealed that he's writing another, still-unidentified DC project.

Did Gunn Know What Was Coming?

Here's something that's chewing on my brain a bit now. On October 29, DC Studios released a special podcast episode titled The Suicide Squad: Is It Canon?, featuring Gunn, Jennifer Holland and Steve Agee. During the discussion, Gunn addressed whether his 2021 film belonged in the new DCU, declaring, "I think that The Suicide Squad is within the canon of the DCU. It's decided."

At the time, it seemed like Gunn was simply settling a long-standing question. Now I'm wondering whether he knew his departure was coming and wanted to make one final decision while he still had the authority.

By officially bringing The Suicide Squad into the DCU, Gunn established its place in the universe before handing over control. Sure, whoever takes over can change continuity, but now they'd have to reverse a decision Gunn had already made public. Was this just a coincidence, or did Gunn want to make sure his film and its characters weren't left behind? There's no evidence he knew about his departure when the podcast was recorded, but that timing is pretty damn interesting.

What Happens to the Rest of the DCU?

This is my biggest concern. Gunn and Safran announced Chapter One: Gods and Monsters back in January 2023, and plenty of those projects are still waiting to get off the ground.

Man of Tomorrow is moving forward, with Gunn directing the Superman sequel for its scheduled July 9, 2027 release. But what about The Brave and the Bold, Booster Gold, Waller, Paradise Lost, Swamp Thing, The Authority and Mister Miracle? Those projects have been discussed or announced in various stages of development, and their futures are far less certain. Will Peacemaker ever make it home? I've got two seasons' worth of time invested in this story, and I don't want to see him become an afterthought.

HBO chief Casey Bloys offered a useful distinction when discussing DC's development slate: "You'll read about development, but focus on what we're greenlighting." That seems especially relevant now. All those rumors about additional characters and projects were never guarantees to begin with, and a new creative chief gives me even less reason to believe they'll materialize.

The box office tells an interesting story, too. Superman earned approximately $618 million worldwide, while Supergirl struggled. Clayface, on the other hand, has earned approximately $109 million against a reported production budget of around $40 million. I wouldn't be surprised if it's already turned a modest profit, especially considering its smaller budget. As I discussed in my Clayface review, DC was showing that more unusual stories could work without Batman carrying everything.

I'm having a hard time believing Latcham will simply continue every project Gunn and Safran envisioned. Nothing has been officially canceled as part of this announcement, but DC has changed direction enough times that another significant shakeup wouldn't surprise me.

The podcast timing really makes me think though. Ten days before this announcement, James Gunn made sure everyone knew The Suicide Squad belonged in his DC Universe.

I have to really wonder how long he knew.