10 Biggest DCU Questions We Have After James Gunn’s Surprise Exit
Since 2019, Kevin Erdmann has been one of Screen Rant's Senior Staff Writers, covering all kinds of Superhero and Star Wars media with Easter egg breakdowns, theory pieces, breaking news, and more. A huge Star Wars & MCU fan, Kevin also loves Batman (because he's Batman), but could talk for hours about why Nightwing is DC's greatest hero.
With 8 years of total experience covering entertainment and pop culture, Kevin has gotten the chance to interview top creatives and talent, and has also attended major media events like Disney's D23 convention.
Majoring in Cinema Studies with a minor in Comics and Cartoon Studies from the UofO, Kevin lives in Oregon with his wonderful wife, adorable dog, and sinister cat who is no doubt currently plotting his demise.
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Remarkably, the DC Universe is headed for another major upheaval following the surprise ousting of James Gunn and Peter Safran from their roles as the heads of DC Studios. Just as the largely rebooted cinematic universe was finding its footing, the decision was made by Skydance to find new leadership, despite Gunn and Safran believing their roles were safe following the recent Warner Bros. acquisition.
Despite having just begun, the DCU under Gunn and Safran had been growing quickly. While 2025's Superman established a new foundation for the DCU, shows like Peacemaker, Creature Commandos, and Lanterns expanded the universe alongside the Supergirl and Clayface films, which both hit theaters this year. Looking ahead, James Gunn's Man of Tomorrow is set to release next year, and the same goes for The Batman - Part II (along with many other shows and movies in development). However, this new change in leadership throws much of this into question, with what will no doubt be a pretty big shift in priorities.
Of course, fans naturally have more than a few questions about what led to Gunn and Safran's firing, and what's next for the DC Universe. Keeping that in mind, here are 10 of the biggest questions we have about the DCU right now in light of what's been revealed, what's rumored, and what we still don't know following Gunn and Safran's exit.
Was The Skydance/James Gunn A Mutual Decision?
When the news was first announced on November 11th, official statements from Skydance and Gunn were fairly professional and complimentary, seeming to indicate a mutual transition with Gunn and Safran returning to full creative work. Gunn himself expressed some relief at having more personal time, and an eagerness to focus on projects he's most passionate about, admitting that the corporate responsibilities were taxing (aligning with past comments from Gunn).
That said, reports (substantiated and otherwise) have suggested a far more complicated scenario. According to news outlets like TheWrap, Skydance CEO David Ellison had been quietly discussing a transition with Gunn and Safran's replacement over a month before the announcement, and that Gunn and Safran were only informed as recently as November 6th, just five days before the news went public.
There have also been reports about corporate tensions with other executives, seeing as how James and Safran were meant to report directly to Ellison under their existing contracts, just as they had been with Warner Bros. CEO David Zaslav. This was instead of operating under executives in charge of the rest of Paramount/WB's theatrical and television output.
Whatever the full story is, it seems quite likely that Gunn and Safran leaving wasn't their choice, and that this was apparently a long time coming. After all, James and Safran had indicated that their roles were safe following the merger (clearly...they weren't).
Why Did Skydance Choose To Oust James Gunn and Peter Safran Now?
The timing of it all is arguably the biggest surprise. While Supergirl did struggle at the box office both critically and commercially, Superman was a large success, and the DCU has delivered several well-received television projects, particularly Lanterns with record viewership numbers for HBO. Even Clayface broke $100 million, a remarkable feat for an R-rated horror movie. So...why make such a significant leadership change? Additionally, why not wait until after Man of Tomorrow releases next year to gauge its performance and make a decision about Gunn then?
Ultimately, the decision indicates a significant lack of patience on Skydance's part for the way Gunn was building the DCU, and more than likely a level of greed that the returns weren't as high as expected right off the bat from their newly acquired superhero cinematic universe. It's been heavily suggested that Skydance wants more high-profile heroes and major films like a Justice League movie. However, it took 4–5 years for the MCU to build toward 2012's Avengers, and they did it with, at the time, lower-tier Marvel heroes (AND not every MCU movie before then was a winner).
The DCU is really only in its second year, making the entire decision feel incredibly premature. It's not like it's in a worse-off position than the MCU was at the same point in its evolution.
Who's Taking Over DC Studios?
Skydance has selected Jeremy Latcham to serve as DC Studios new, singular head, who will notably be reporting to Dana Goldberg and Josh Greenstein, Co-Chairs oSkydance Motion Picture Group.
Jeremy Latcham was a senior executive at Marvel Studios who helped develop key early MCU projects including Iron Man, The Avengers, Guardians of the Galaxy (working with James Gunn), Avengers: Age of Ultron, and Spider-Man: Homecoming. He then left Marvel in 2017, and has since produced more independent projects, as well as Bad Times at the El Royale and Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves. The most recent film Latcham produced was Nate Bargatze's The Breadwinner.
While his resume does communicate experience with superhero franchises and blockbusters, there are concerns about his creative philosophy and desire to make four-quadrant films with mass appeal and accessibility. Combined with his more conservative values and Christian faith, there are concerns that the DCU might become more sanitized (though that remains to be fully seen).
What Does The Future Hold For In-Development Projects?
Fortunately, the immediate slate appears relatively secure. Man of Tomorrow is in post-production, The Batman Part II is already filming, and The People v. Gorilla Grodd has completed production as well. Gunn and Safran are also expected to remain involved in projects they've already helped develop.
That doesn't guarantee every announced project will survive indefinitely, though. Development can change quickly when leadership changes, especially for projects that haven't entered production. For now, the safest assumption is that anything already underway will continue, while the longer-term slate could face a fresh evaluation.
Will The DCU Get Rebooted (Again)?
Another complete reboot seems unlikely. Gunn and Safran have already established characters, relationships, and storylines that would be difficult to discard without confusing audiences. Starting over again would also undermine the studio's efforts to build a recognizable shared universe.
Metropolis · Daily Planet Edition
Superman
Trivia Challenge
🌏OriginsLast son
☠VillainsKneel!
⚡PowersInvincible
🎥FilmsBelieve
💫LegacyHope
01
Before he was Clark Kent, Superman was born Kal-El on a distant planet doomed to destruction. His parents Jor-El and Lara placed him in a rocket ship as an infant, sending him across the cosmos to Earth. What is the name of Superman’s home planet?
✓ Correct! Krypton was a scientifically advanced planet that exploded due to its unstable core. Jor-El, Superman’s father, was the only scientist who foresaw the catastrophe and managed to save his son by launching him toward Earth in a small spacecraft.
✗ Not faster than a speeding bullet on that one! The answer is Krypton. Thanagar is Hawkman’s homeworld, Apokolips is Darkseid’s domain, and Oa is the headquarters of the Green Lantern Corps. Krypton’s destruction is the defining event of Superman’s origin story.
02
Superman’s greatest love is a fearless, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist who works alongside Clark Kent at the Daily Planet. She’s known for her relentless pursuit of the truth and for being one of the few people who sees both the hero and the man. Who is she?
✓ Correct! Lois Lane has been Superman’s primary love interest since her debut in Action Comics #1 in 1938. A brilliant investigative reporter, she’s as iconic as Superman himself — tough, smart, and unafraid to chase the biggest stories in Metropolis.
✗ Not faster than a speeding bullet on that one! The answer is Lois Lane. Diana Prince is Wonder Woman, Lana Lang is Clark’s high school sweetheart from Smallville, and Cat Grant is a gossip columnist at the Daily Planet. Lois Lane is Superman’s iconic partner.
03
Despite being nearly invulnerable under Earth’s yellow sun, Superman has one famous weakness — a radioactive mineral from the remnants of his destroyed homeworld. Exposure to it drains his powers and can even kill him. What is this substance called?
✓ Correct! Kryptonite is the irradiated remnants of planet Krypton. Green Kryptonite is the most common and deadly variety, but there are many other types — Red Kryptonite causes unpredictable behavior, Gold Kryptonite can permanently strip his powers, and Blue Kryptonite affects Bizarro.
✗ Not faster than a speeding bullet on that one! The answer is Kryptonite. Vibranium is from Marvel’s Black Panther universe, Nth Metal is tied to Hawkman, and Red Sun Ore isn’t a real DC substance. Kryptonite is the iconic green-glowing mineral that is Superman’s ultimate weakness.
04
In 1978, a then-unknown actor donned the cape and made the world believe a man could fly. His portrayal of Superman became the gold standard for superhero films and he starred in four Superman movies. Who is this legendary actor?
✓ Correct! Christopher Reeve’s portrayal in Superman: The Movie (1978) is widely regarded as the definitive live-action Superman. His performance perfectly balanced the heroic confidence of Superman with the endearing clumsiness of Clark Kent, setting the template every Superman actor has followed since.
✗ Not faster than a speeding bullet on that one! The answer is Christopher Reeve. Henry Cavill played Superman in the DCEU starting with Man of Steel (2013), Brandon Routh starred in Superman Returns (2006), and Tom Welling played young Clark in TV’s Smallville. Reeve was the original big-screen Superman.
05
Superman’s greatest enemy isn’t a superpowered alien — he’s a brilliant, ruthless human billionaire who believes Superman is a threat to humanity’s potential. This bald-headed genius has been Superman’s archenemy for over 80 years. Who is he?
✓ Correct! Lex Luthor is the ultimate foil to Superman — where Superman represents hope and selflessness, Luthor represents ambition and ego. Despite having no superpowers, his genius-level intellect and vast resources make him Superman’s most persistent and dangerous adversary.
✗ Not faster than a speeding bullet on that one! The answer is Lex Luthor. Brainiac is an alien android who collects cities, Darkseid is the god-like ruler of Apokolips, and Doomsday is the monster who famously killed Superman. But Lex Luthor is the definitive archenemy — Superman’s dark mirror.
06
After crash-landing on Earth as a baby, Kal-El was found and adopted by Jonathan and Martha Kent, a kind farming couple. They raised him with strong moral values in a small rural town. Where did Clark Kent grow up?
✓ Correct! Smallville, Kansas is the quintessential American small town where Jonathan and Martha Kent raised Clark with heartland values of honesty, compassion, and humility. It’s the foundation of who Superman is — not the powers from Krypton, but the character instilled by his Kansas parents.
✗ Not faster than a speeding bullet on that one! The answer is Smallville, Kansas. Gotham is Batman’s city, Metropolis is where Clark moves as an adult to work at the Daily Planet, and Coast City is Green Lantern’s home. Smallville is where the Kents raised Clark on their farm.
07
As Clark Kent, Superman disguises himself as a mild-mannered reporter working at Metropolis’s most famous newspaper, alongside Lois Lane and photographer Jimmy Olsen. Their editor-in-chief Perry White runs the newsroom. What is the name of this newspaper?
✓ Correct! The Daily Planet, with its iconic globe on the rooftop, is one of the most recognizable fictional newspapers in pop culture. Working there gives Clark Kent both a cover identity and a way to stay informed about threats to the city and the world.
✗ Not faster than a speeding bullet on that one! The answer is the Daily Planet. The Daily Bugle is Spider-Man’s Marvel universe newspaper, the Metropolis Star and Gotham Gazette are lesser DC publications. The Daily Planet — with its spinning globe — is Superman’s journalistic home.
08
This Kryptonian military commander was banished to the Phantom Zone for treason before Krypton’s destruction. He escaped and came to Earth seeking vengeance, famously demanding that others “Kneel before” him. His iconic portrayal by Terence Stamp cemented him in pop culture. Who is this villain?
✓ Correct! General Zod is one of Superman’s most terrifying foes because he has all of Superman’s powers but none of his morality. Terence Stamp’s portrayal in Superman II (1980) made “Kneel before Zod” one of the most quoted villain lines in film history. Michael Shannon later reimagined the role in Man of Steel (2013).
✗ Not faster than a speeding bullet on that one! The answer is General Zod. Bizarro is a flawed clone of Superman, Parasite drains powers through touch, and Metallo is a cyborg with a Kryptonite heart. General Zod is the Kryptonian military leader whose cry of “Kneel before Zod!” echoes through decades of Superman stories.
Mission Complete Your Kryptonian Record
/ 8
Are you the Man of Steel — or still stuck in a phone booth?
However, a creative pivot is much more plausible. Gunn reportedly had plans to introduce DCU Batman and Wonder Woman while moving Superman's story toward larger Justice League adventures. Latcham could accelerate those introductions or change how the franchise connects its heroes. The universe may remain intact, even if its overall direction changes considerably.
What Secret DCU Project Is James Gunn Still Working On?
Lucy North/PA Images/INSTARimages
Gunn has confirmed that he's writing another DC project beyond Man of Tomorrow, though he hasn't revealed what it is. One possibility is Superman 3, which would make sense given his ongoing interest in Clark Kent and the larger Superman mythology.
It's certainly not confirmed, but Gunn returning to the character after Man of Tomorrow would be a natural next step. He could also be developing something entirely different, especially if he wants to explore a corner of the DCU that hasn't received much attention yet.
Will James Gunn Continue Aiding In The DCU's Creative Development?
The official statements suggest Gunn and Safran will continue helping with a smooth transition, and Gunn's comments indicate that he isn't immediately abandoning DC altogether. However, it's unclear how much creative influence he'll retain once Latcham officially takes over.
Gunn may remain attached as a filmmaker and producer, but that isn't the same as having final authority over the universe's direction. His relationship with Latcham could help preserve some continuity, particularly given their history working together at Marvel. Still, the extent of that involvement remains one of the biggest unknowns.
Will DC Studios Fast-Track Batman & Wonder Woman?
Probably. Batman and Wonder Woman are two of DC's most recognizable heroes, and it's difficult to imagine a long-term Justice League strategy that keeps them on the sidelines. Gunn had reportedly been preparing to introduce both into the DCU, but Skydance may want to accelerate those plans rather than wait for the franchise to develop gradually.
Latcham's Marvel experience could also make him particularly interested in building toward a recognizable superhero team. That doesn't mean a Justice League movie is immediately around the corner, but expect Batman and Wonder Woman to become major priorities.
What Does The Future Hold For Elseworlds Projects Like The Batman? Dynamic Duo?
Gunn's DC Studios made room for stories outside the shared universe, allowing Matt Reeves' The Batman franchise to continue independently. Dynamic Duo similarly represents an opportunity to tell a different kind of DC story without worrying about the main continuity.
Whether Latcham maintains that flexibility is another question. A more franchise-focused leadership approach could favor projects that directly support the central DCU, potentially making Elseworlds productions harder to get approved. Still, The Batman - Part II is already filming, so its immediate future looks secure.
Will Clayface Be The Last R-Rated DC Movie?
This may be one of the biggest concerns surrounding the transition. Clayface demonstrated that DC could embrace full-on body horror, while Peacemaker, Creature Commandos, and Lanterns have helped establish a willingness to explore more mature storytelling. Latcham's emphasis on accessibility and four-quadrant appeal could make that approach less common.
However, his grandmother test doesn't automatically mean R-rated projects are finished. Latcham has worked on films with mature ratings, and accessible storytelling doesn't necessarily require avoiding darker material. Still, if Skydance prioritizes broad theatrical appeal, Clayface could become an exception rather than the beginning of a new trend. The future of DC's more daring projects may depend on whether Latcham sees their variety as an advantage or a risk.
- First Film
- Man of Steel
- First TV Show
- Peacemaker
- Cast
- Henry Cavill, Ben Affleck, Gal Gadot, Ezra Miller, Ray Fisher, Jason Momoa, Amy Adams, Jesse Eisenberg, Laurence Fishburne, Jeremy Irons, Will Smith, Jared Leto, Margot Robbie, Joel Kinnaman, Viola Davis, Jai Courtney, Jay Hernandez, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Cara Delevingne, Chris Pine, Robin Wright, Zachary Levi, Dwayne Johnson, Amber Heard, Patrick Wilson, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Mark Strong, Asher Angel, Jack Dylan Grazer, Djimon Hounsou, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Jurnee Smollett, Rosie Perez, Ella Jay Basco, Ali Wong, Ewan McGregor, Idris Elba, John Cena, Michael Keaton, George Clooney, Xolo Mariduena
- Created by
- Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson
- Character(s)
- Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, The Flash, Cyborg, Harley Quinn, The Joker, Shazam, Darkseid, Amanda Waller, Lex Luthor, Doomsday, Deadshot, Deathstroke, Black Canary, Black Adam
- Movie(s)
- Man of Steel, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Suicide Squad, Wonder Woman, Justice League, Aquaman, Shazam!, Birds of Prey, Wonder Woman 1984, Zack Snyder's Justice League, The Suicide Squad, Black Adam, Shazam! The Fury of the Gods, The Flash, Blue Beetle, Superman, The Brave and the Bold
The DC Universe is a multimedia franchise based on DC Comics and its roster of iconic heroes and villains. The DCU has inspired an ongoing cinematic universe led by James Gunn and Peter Safran, a previous cinematic universe helmed by Zack Snyder, and several independent movies and TV shows.
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