James Gunn and Peter Safran are reportedly expected to remain in charge of DC Studios following the completion of Paramount Skydance’s acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery.
According to Puck’s Matthew Belloni, Gunn and Safran are expected to be invited to stay on at DC Studios after the merger closes. Paramount has not formally confirmed the pair’s positions, but further reporting suggests they recently met with incoming Skydance leadership and were encouraged to continue with their current plans.
James Gunn And Peter Safran Expected To Stay At DC Studios
Gunn and Safran have led DC Studios since November 2022, overseeing the development of a new connected DC Universe across film, television and animation.
Their tenure has already included projects such as Creature Commandos, Superman, Peacemaker and HBO’s Lanterns, with the studio continuing to develop further film and television projects under the wider DCU banner.
Belloni reported that Gunn and Safran would be “invited to stay” at DC, while Paramount has not commented publicly on those specific leadership plans. The Hollywood Reporter has also reported that the pair recently met with David Ellison and were asked to continue their work at the studio.
That would mean the current direction of the DCU is expected to continue despite the significant corporate changes happening above DC Studios as Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery come together.
What Does The Skydance Merger Mean For DC?
Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery announced on September 30 that their merger is expected to close on October 6, 2026, subject to customary closing conditions.
The combined parent company will be known as Skydance, bringing Paramount, Warner Bros., HBO, DC, CBS, CNN, Paramount+ and HBO Max together under one corporate structure while retaining the major individual studio and entertainment brands.
Other parts of Warner Bros. are expected to undergo leadership changes as the integration begins, making the reported decision to retain Gunn and Safran particularly notable for DC Studios.
DC Studios’ Current Plans Look Set To Continue
For DC fans, the immediate takeaway is that the studio’s current creative direction is not expected to be reset when the merger closes.
Gunn and Safran remaining in place would allow DC Studios to continue developing the connected universe already underway, including its ongoing television slate and future theatrical projects.
That includes Lanterns, which is currently airing on HBO and forms part of Gunn and Safran’s wider DC Universe. Popped is covering the series weekly, with more DC and Lanterns coverage available across the site.
Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery currently expect their merger to close on October 6, 2026.
