Skydance Merger: Gunn and Safran Retain DC Studios as De Luca and Abdy Exit

Key points

• James Gunn and Peter Safran will continue to lead DC Studios, overseeing film, TV, and comic book production.
• The Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger is expected to close on October 6, 2026.
• Michael De Luca and Pamela Abdy will not be part of the new management team under David Ellison.
• Paramount Pictures co-chairs Dana Goldberg and Josh Greenstein will oversee the combined film units.
• The merged company will be officially named Skydance, retaining both HBO Max and Paramount+ streaming brands.
• DC Studios' upcoming slate includes 'Man of Tomorrow' (July 2027) and 'The Batman Part II' (February 2028).

Background

This leadership shakeup follows the $110 billion merger between Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery, which faced legal challenges from a coalition of media groups in September 2026. Gunn and Safran were originally appointed in October 2022 to restructure DC Studios into a hub similar to Marvel Studios. Recent months saw mixed results for DC, including the commercial success of 'Superman' and the HBO Max series 'Lanterns,' contrasted with the underperformance of 'Supergirl.'

How outlets are covering it

Deadline and Variety confirm the departure of De Luca and Abdy, noting that their tenure ended despite a record-breaking 2025 with 'Sinners' and 'Weapons,' followed by a difficult 2026. IndieWire argues that their exit is detrimental to cinema, as their 'big-swing' approach supported auteur-driven films that may not align with David Ellison's more commercial, franchise-focused vision. Puck notes that De Luca and Abdy's departure is linked to the financial misfires of 'Digger' and 'The Bride,' which failed to recoup their budgets. While Deadline highlights Gunn's successful 'Superman' sequel in production, IndieWire points out that Ellison's track record favors established franchises like 'Mission: Impossible' over risky art films like Paul Thomas Anderson's 'One Battle After Another.'

Why it matters

The retention of Gunn and Safran signals that Skydance values the DC franchise's potential, while the exit of De Luca and Abdy marks a shift away from high-risk, auteur-driven filmmaking. The merger consolidates two major studios under a single brand, Skydance, with a mandate to produce 30 films annually. This restructuring affects the future of major franchises, including 'The Batman' and 'Dune,' and sets the tone for the combined entity's creative direction under David Ellison and new co-CEO Ynon Kreiz.

What to watch

The merger is expected to close on October 6, 2026. Dana Goldberg and Josh Greenstein will oversee the combined film units, while George Cheeks will lead the three TV studios. The new leadership must navigate the financial obligations of the merger, including the payout of De Luca and Abdy's contracts, and manage the transition of the 2027 and 2028 slates, which include 'Godzilla King: Supernova' and 'The Batman Part II.'