The Hollywood Reporter has taken a deep dive into James Gunn and Peter Safran's exit as DC Studios co-CEOs, confirming reports that the former had big plans for the DCU's Superman.
The filmmaker was writing a follow-up to Man of Tomorrow when the axe fell, and intended to make a Superman trilogy with a new movie featuring the character arriving every two years. That would have then "maybe" morphed into a Justice League franchise.
However, this is the first we're hearing of this—Gunn and Safran haven't been particularly transparent about plans since the studio's 2023 launch—and a lack of transparency may have been an issue for Skydance, too.
According to the trade, "Sources say the DC heads were not forthcoming or were slow in sharing plans, slate details and footage with the Skydance movie heads. In the end, [Josh] Greenstein and [Dana] Goldberg prevailed, and new hire Latcham will report to them."
While Gunn and Safran had been assured they'd be part of Skydance moving forward, co-CEOs David Ellison and Ynon Kreiz changed their minds and decided in the Fall to part ways with the DCU architects. Last Friday, Gunn and Safran were informed that they'd been fired, "despite previous assurances they would be part of the new Skydance mega-studio."
"Sources point to several points of tension between DC's Gunn and Safran and Skydance's Greenstein and Goldberg," writes the trade. "Before Skydance’s acquisition, Gunn and Safran reported directly to Warner Bros. CEO David Zaslav; their contracts stipulated they would maintain that kind of direct reporting structure in the event of a change of leadership, in this case Ellison."
That created tension with the new Skyfance film chiefs, and it seems Ellison "never wanted DC to report directly to him in the first place and did not have time for studio politics, such as posturing between division heads."
Unsurprisingly, DC Studios' financials were also a major issue. The DCU movies released so far were considered "not great for business," with Supergirl considered a "disaster" by Skydance. Superman also did not make a profit or "the kind of pop culture impact, in the way that kind of movie should, Skydance's thinking went."
Clayface, a modest success, led to talks about doing "more spooky, slimmed-down DC movies," but barely breaking even wasn't enough for Skydance.
Enter, Jeremy Latcham. The new DC Studios CEO is described as a "down-the-middle shooter whose goal is to make hits for the masses and get people into movie theaters," and will likely be "the guy to deliver what’s more in line with Ellison’s broader tastes" (in contrast to Gunn's penchant for R-rated content and lesser-known characters).
Latcham is also expected to be a "very hands-on producer who likes to spend time on sets." It's thought that he and Gunn had their first conversation on Monday, though it's currently unclear whether Gunn will be allowed to finish his vision for Superman. His DCU slate may have also gone out the window after Latcham's hiring.
Skydance's biggest concern moving forward is said to be a simple one: "whether or not fans will continue to invest in movies and actors before the rug is pulled out yet again."