Turns out, Black Adam might have actually changed the hierarchy of power at DC for real. James Gunn and Peter Safran are the choices to lead DC’s film, TV, and animation divisions as co-chairs and co-CEOs of DC Studios. The Hollywood Reporter had the news and it comes as a complete shock to the industry. It marks a months-long search by Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav to replace the former head of DC Films, Walter Hamada.
The focus of the duo shakes out like this: Gunn will handle creative decisions and Safran will focus on the buisiness and production side of things. Both will continue to direct and produce projects, respectively. They will report directly to Zaslav and work closely with WB bosses Michael De Luca and Pamela Abdy. Gunn will be exclusive to DC, which means no more Guardians of the Galaxy films for him after Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.
Unlike the continuity that Marvel Studios has built up over the years among their film projects, DC has multiple universes and timelines to follow. Any future DC films after Joker 2 and The Batman 2 will go under the guidance of Gunn and Safran. Zaslav had this to say 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.
David Zaslav
James Gunn and Peter Safran had this to say in a joint statement:
We’re honored to be the stewards of these DC characters we’ve loved since we were children. 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.
With turmoil still unfolding for DC with troubles from Ezra Miller, the cancellation of Batgirl, and other projects, this is a move in the right direction.
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