Gunn and Safran Retain DC Studios as Skydance Merger Restructures Film Leadership

Key points

• The Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger is expected to finalize on October 6, with the new entity named Skydance.
• James Gunn and Peter Safran will remain at the helm of DC Studios, continuing their leadership of the film, TV, and comic book production hub.
• Michael De Luca and Pamela Abdy are exiting Warner Bros. after four years, despite previously believing they would stay on.
• Paramount Pictures co-chairs Dana Goldberg and Josh Greenstein will oversee the combined film divisions, which are required to release 30 movies per year under the merger settlement.
• Gunn and Safran’s retention is supported by recent successes, including the HBO Max series 'Lanterns' and the upcoming release of 'Clayface' and 'Man of Tomorrow'.

Background

Gunn and Safran were appointed to lead DC Studios in October 2022 under a strategy to mimic Disney’s label hub structure. Their tenure has included the 2025 release of 'Superman,' which grossed over $618 million globally, and the 2026 release of 'Supergirl,' which underperformed with a global gross of $126.4 million. The merger follows a period of significant box office volatility for Warner Bros., including the underperformance of 'The Bride!' and 'Digger.'

How outlets are covering it

Deadline and Gizmodo confirm that Gunn and Safran will continue to run DC Studios, noting that Gunn recently met with David Ellison and the meeting went well. Variety reports that De Luca and Abdy are exiting, citing sources that they were not part of Ellison’s management team. The Hollywood Reporter provides additional context, noting that De Luca and Abdy had previously believed they would stay on after a meeting with Ellison, but that Josh Greenstein of Paramount Pictures had expressed a desire to remove them. THR also highlights that De Luca and Abdy are exploring potential moves to Netflix, while Variety notes that the combined studios will release 30 movies a year, a provision of the merger deal.

Why it matters

The retention of Gunn and Safran signals stability for the DC Universe, which is in the middle of a turnaround. Their continued leadership ensures the continuation of key projects, including 'Man of Tomorrow' and 'The Batman Part II.' The exit of De Luca and Abdy marks a significant shift in Warner Bros. film leadership, with Paramount executives taking over the combined film divisions. This restructuring could impact the studio’s approach to both franchise and auteur-driven films, as Greenstein and Goldberg are known for a more franchise-focused mandate.

What to watch

The merger is expected to close on October 6. 'Clayface' is set to open on October 23, and 'Man of Tomorrow' is scheduled for release on July 9, 2027. De Luca and Abdy are exploring potential moves to Netflix, while the combined studios must meet the 30-movie release threshold to avoid penalties.