David Ellison Says Jeremy Latcham Will Shape DC's Future, Credits James Gunn and Peter Safran for Their “Passion and Care”
DC Studios is getting a major leadership overhaul, and Skydance CEO David Ellison is putting a Marvel veteran in charge of its future. James Gunn and Peter Safran are out as co-CEOs and chairmen, with Jeremy Latcham stepping in as president and chief creative officer.
It's a surprising move considering Gunn and Safran have spent the past four years rebuilding DC's movie and television universe. Now Ellison is betting that one of the executives who helped build the Marvel Cinematic Universe can take DC to the next level.
Ellison talked about Latcham's arrival on X, praising his work at Marvel and sharing his excitement about what he'll bring to DC Studios. He said:
“We’re thrilled to welcome Jeremy to DC Studios! As part of the founding team behind the Marvel Cinematic Universe, he helped define the modern superhero movie and powered some of the biggest, most beloved comic book adaptations of our time. We can’t wait to see the stories he’ll bring to life, and how he’ll help build the future of DC for fans everywhere.”
Latcham certainly has the superhero credentials. His Marvel credits include Iron Man, Guardians of the Galaxy, Spider-Man: Homecoming, and The Avengers. He was part of the team that helped turn Marvel Studios into a powerhouse, and now he'll have the opportunity to help shape DC's next chapter.
In his new position, Latcham will oversee DC's movies, television shows, and animation projects. His responsibilities will also include production, talent, creative development, and overall strategy. He'll report directly to Dana Goldberg and Josh Greenstein, co-chairs of Skydance Motion Picture Group.
As for Gunn and Safran, their departure brings an unexpected end to an ambitious attempt to give DC a connected universe that could compete with Disney's MCU.
The two were hired in 2022 under former Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav, and they got to work rebuilding the franchise with a new creative direction.
Their run delivered successes like Superman and the HBO Max series Peacemaker, although Supergirl didn't perform as hoped. They also developed projects including Lanterns, Creature Commandos, and the body-horror film Clayface.
Despite replacing them, Ellison had plenty of praise for what Gunn and Safran accomplished during their time running the studio.
“James and Peter began a new era for DC Studios, guiding it through a major transformation and bringing audiences fresh chapters of beloved stories, including ‘Superman,’ ‘Lanterns’ and ‘Creature Commandos.’ We’re grateful for the passion and care they brought to this work, and for the lasting mark they’ve left on DC.”
The leadership change also comes with several major DC projects already on the calendar. Gunn's Man of Tomorrow, which he wrote and directed, is scheduled to arrive next summer. Meanwhile, The Batman: Part II, starring Robert Pattinson, is set for 2028.
On the television side, DC has The People v. Gorilla Grodd coming in 2027, featuring Skyler Gisondo reprising his Superman role as Jimmy Olsen alongside Jimmy Tatro as Gorilla Grodd.
With those projects already moving forward, Latcham isn't walking into an empty studio. He's inheriting a franchise with an established creative direction, several productions in development, and plenty of expectations from DC fans.
The big question is how much of Gunn and Safran's original vision will survive under the new leadership. Latcham helped build one of Hollywood's most successful superhero franchises, but DC has its own characters, history, and audience. Trying to recreate Marvel's formula wouldn't necessarily be the right move.
For now, Ellison clearly believes Latcham is the guy to lead DC Studios into its next era. Whether this executive shakeup pays off will depend on the movies and shows that follow.