Was James Gunn Fired From DC Studios? Reason Why He’s Stepping Down – Hollywood Life

James Gunn and his longtime business and creative partner, Peter Safran, will no longer lead DC Studios. In a move that horrified comic book and movie fans, Gunn and Safran announced they were stepping down from the studio in November 2026. The announcement prompted fans to speculate whether both Gunn and Safran were fired. 

“Four years ago, we set out to unite DC under one creative vision,” a joint statement from Gunn and Safran read. “In that time, we helped restore Superman to the heart of DC, while opening new doors and telling new stories in film and television with Peacemaker, Creature Commandos, Lanterns and Clayface. We’re immensely proud of the team that turned that ambition into something real, including the actors, crews and executives we had the opportunity to collaborate with. We’ve shared a creative history with Jeremy going back to Marvel, and we’re eager to see the perspective he brings to DC’s next chapter.”

Although Gunn and Safran confirmed they were stepping down as CEOs and chairmen, they pointed out their involvement in the comic book world was not being cut short.

“We’re excited to return to what drew us to this job in the first place, which is telling the stories we love, including the next chapter of Clark and Lex’s journey in ‘Man of Tomorrow,” the filmmakers concluded.

Jeremy Latcham was named their successor.

So, were Gunn and Safran fired? Why are they stepping down from DC Studios in the first place? Here’s what we know.

Were James Gunn & Peter Safran Fired?

Gunn and Safran only confirmed they were stepping down and passing the baton to Latcham, a fellow film producer. However, Variety reported that the dynamic film duo was “out,” implying that they were fired.

However, Gunn noted in his own Instagram statement that he was stepping down to focus on films instead of leading the company.

Why Is James Gunn Stepping Down From DC Studios?

Gunn took to Instagram to write his own statement about his departure as co-chairman and CEO. In one of the three slides of his carousel post, the film producer admitted there have been “trying” times in the “corporate nature of the job.”

He then pointed out that the reason for his departure was to focus on filmmaking and confessed he felt “relieved” not to have to juggle the daily CEO activities anymore.

“And the thing my ADHD hyper focus has had most difficulty with has been dividing my time between projects I’m incredibly passionate about and the ones I’m not so much, and all the things I have to do as a studio head,” Gunn went on.