Gunn and Safran to Leave DC Studios as Superman Sequel Nears 2027 Release
David Corenswet’s Superman sequel, Man of Tomorrow, is scheduled for release in July 2027 after James Gunn wrapped production. Gunn was also writing a third installment as part of a planned trilogy when he and Peter Safran were told they were leaving DC Studios.
David Corenswet’s Superman sequel, Man of Tomorrow, is heading for a July 2027 release after director James Gunn wrapped production, as Gunn and Peter Safran were told they would leave DC Studios.
The change followed a visit on Friday, November 6, by Skydance co-CEOs David Ellison and Ynon Kreiz to the DC executives’ offices on the Warner Bros. lot in Burbank. Gunn and Safran had previously been assured they would remain with the new Skydance-led studio, according to people familiar with the discussions.
Gunn was writing a third Superman film as part of a planned trilogy, with the aim of releasing a Superman movie every two years. The plan could have led to a Justice League team-up, people familiar with the discussions said.
The departure came after four years in which Gunn and Safran were among the most visible leaders in comic-book film and television. Jeremy Latcham, a former Marvel Studios executive and producer, is set to replace them.
Latcham previously advocated for Gunn to direct Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy, helping launch Gunn’s rise as a prominent filmmaker. More recently, Latcham moved to Texas to work independently and focused on projects including the Wright Brothers feature Flyer and the television series House of David.
People familiar with the studio discussions described tensions over reporting lines and control. Gunn and Safran’s contracts stipulated that they would report directly to Warner Bros. CEO David Zaslav even if leadership changed, while Josh Greenstein and Dana Goldberg were seeking to consolidate motion-picture production under their leadership.
Gunn and Safran had controlled the rollout of DC projects. One person familiar with the matter said, “They had the final word on movies, TV shows, and animation.”
People familiar with the discussions also said the DC leaders had been slow to share plans, slate details and footage with Skydance’s movie executives.
Gunn’s completed sequel remains scheduled for July 2027.
