WBD have found their DC Studios CEO in James Gunn and Peter Safran. The unexpected announcement has DCEU fans intrigued over potential plans The Suicide Squad director & Aquaman producer have in store for DC Films, TV projects like Peacemaker and animation titles like the Harley Quinn series. Since the news broke, Biz experts and hardcore DC Universe fans have showered praises along with their opinion on social media.
The CBM community is still shocked by the new Kevin Feige-Esque heads hired to handle the DC division at Warner Bros. Discovery. Gunn and Safran will officially begin their jobs at the studio as co-CEOs starting on November 1, as The Wrap confirmed. But the duo will be answering to David Zaslav while also working with co-chairpersons Michael De Luca and Pam Abdy.
Gunn responded to the announcement with a tweet, “Accurate. So pleased to be here.” The larger DC Extended Universe supporters seem to approve of the studio’s choice since Gunn has a successful track record with live-action comic book properties thanks to his time with MCU’s Guardians of the Galaxy franchise. In fact, the director shared the first trailer for GOTG Holiday Special, hours before his new DC film role was announced.
In the case of Safran, aside from the producer’s achievement with 2018’s Aquaman, which became the first DCEU title to earn $1 billion – the executive has heralded several horror titles for New Line, from The Conjuring franchise to the Annabelle series & more. Moreover, Safran also produced Shazam! and the upcoming Shazam! Fury of the Gods, there’s no doubt the veteran can handle operations as smoothly as the last regime and perhaps even better. But here’s what the internet has to say, readers can check it out below.
We are thrilled to announce James Gunn and Peter Safran have been named Co-Chairmen and CEOs of DC Studios! https://t.co/8WGvTCsrLR pic.twitter.com/n0bG4mqI6P
— Warner Bros. Discovery (@wbd) October 25, 2022
James Gunn = A Mega fan + Great Filmmaker
Peter Safran = Very Successful Producer
Now they are both running DC. This is the biggest move DC has made and their future couldn’t be brighter right now.
— Matt Ramos (@therealsupes) October 25, 2022
Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige the next time he sees DC Studios President James Gunn pic.twitter.com/lhzBgw5fiw
— BLURAYANGEL 🦇 (@blurayangel) October 25, 2022
HOLY SH*T! James Gunn & Peter Safran are now officially the new heads of DC Films – rebranded as DC Studios.
I kind of wish it was Matt Reeves as I prefer the smaller scale, more character driven art blockbusters but … let’s see Gunn’s plan.
Talk about an absolute comeback. https://t.co/asYLHQ1rGl
— Jesabel (@JesabelRaay) October 25, 2022
This is great I've always said James Gunn knows the comics better than anyone. Even the most obscure of characters. He'll do great. They needed a fan who's also a great storyteller to run this company like Feige. Gunn is both and more https://t.co/c3rGPZEhKo
— Daniel Richtman #BlackLivesMatter (@DanielRPK) October 25, 2022
If you’re being a crybaby about this, reminder that James Gunn read EVERY SINGLE Suicide Squad comic book ever written in preparation for the movie. We need people like this https://t.co/NVXlLRRihB
— Bjönk (@BorkEternal) October 25, 2022
*Deep breath*
-No James Gunn won't fill every film with poop jokes, or turn the DCEU into the MCU.
-He knows DC's success is in being different. He came to the DCEU to do different things.
-He publicly supported the Ayer Cut.
-He knows his strengths; he turned down Superman.— ᴘᴜᴅ333 (@pud333) October 25, 2022
James Gunn getting ready to make her the Nick Fury of the DCEU pic.twitter.com/rXmouYCh5B
— T'Challa Stan (@KhameekJ03) October 25, 2022
Warner Brothers after securing Matt Reeves and James Gunn pic.twitter.com/6oTiMJy7cH
— Piñata Farms: The Meme App (@pinatafarms) October 25, 2022
Getting fired for joke tweets was the best thing to ever happen to James Gunn https://t.co/OdQ3sG1jOD
— Siddhant Adlakha (@SiddhantAdlakha) October 25, 2022
Remember how alt-right trolls got James Gunn fired from the MCU and how that not only led to The Suicide Squad and Peacemaker, but he returned to the MCU to direct both the Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special and Vol. 3, and he's now overseeing the entire DCEU?
— Adam Lance Garcia (@AdamLanceGarcia) October 25, 2022
I am ALL about James Gunn & Peter Safran taking over DC Studios. GREAT move. Gunn has an incredible knack for storytelling, especially w/ large ensembles. Good writing & storytelling will always win. Gunn & Safran know DC, know the characters & know how to tell a story. Let’s go! pic.twitter.com/z0OH2mhK1P
— Erik Davis (@ErikDavis) October 25, 2022
It should be noted, unlike Marvel Studios where Feige handles all – James Gunn’s responsibilities as DC Studios CEO ends with the “creative side of things” while Safran will handle the “business and production side”, as THR notes.
There are still business decisions that are yet to be determined for Warner Bros. Films’ DC Studio, the brand which will comprise all things film, TV and animation. It’s also being told the term ‘DCEU’ will be cut short to just ‘DCU’. But those are the least of worries, the live-action side of DC also has Elseworld-style universes that operate on their own, like Todd Philips’ Joker: Folie à deux. But THR says this will be overseen by de Luca and Abdy. It’s unclear if the same would apply to Matt Reeves’ The Batman universe.
Also of note, "DCU" no longer "DCEU"
— Umberto Gonzalez (@elmayimbe) October 25, 2022
The future is bright for James Gunn with his four-year exclusive deal. Some are speculating the Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 helmer’s relationship with Feige even opens up the possibility of a DC and Marvel crossover. But for now, with Superman’s return, some are convinced the old days of DC vs. Marvel is back on. Let’s hope so.
