2 Attachment(s)
James Gunn Clarifies DC Studios Is Separate From Warner Bros Now
DC Universe co-creator James Gunn clarifies how DC Studios is now separate from Warner Bros. Pictures Group. The DCEU, as it was previously known, will soon be going in a brand new direction with the launch of DC Studios. Once Gunn and Peter Safran were appointed co-CEOs in 2022, that was the beginning of the end for the current DCEU. For 2023, Warner Bros. Pictures Group will still release its remaining DCEU films, from Shazam! Fury of the Gods to Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. With The Flash meant to give the franchise a significant reset, a new era is coming for DC superheroes on the big screen.
Gunn and Safran ended January with the big announcement of DCU movies and TV shows that are on their way. While the new universe doesn't begin until summer 2025, many are still curious about how DC Studios will operate as part of Warner Bros. Discovery's new strategy. Gunn (via CBR) recently responded to a fan on Instagram about the inner workings of DC Studios. According to the co-CEO and filmmaker, "DC is separate from Warner Bros as of a couple months ago."
How DC Studios Works Now Compared To Pre-DCU
For clearer context, DC Studios is still a subsidiary of Warner Bros. Discovery, which is a media conglomerate with David Zaslav as its CEO. Since Zaslav's administration begun, DC has been one of the major IPs they are looking to elevate as part of their new regime. This was the result after Warner Bros. and Discovery's merger was completed in 2022. Even though they have barely begun, DC Studios is still significantly different from DC Films.
Previously led by Walter Hamada, DC Films was a smaller division that mainly focused on Warner Bros.'s movies based on the comic book brand. During the original DCEU era, DC Films only existed within Warner Bros. Pictures Group. DC Studios, with Gunn and Safran, will report directly to Zaslav. However, the two CEOs are staying on the same level as Mike De Luca and Pam Abdy, who are the new heads of Warner Bros. Pictures Group. Safran and Gunn also hold the same rank of power as Warner Bros. TV's Channing Dungey, as well as HBO and HBO Max's CEO Casey Bloys.
In the end, DC Studios is a step in the right direction for the DCU after years of creative shifts behind the scenes. Since DC Films never had control over TV, animation, and video games, this is new territory that DC Studios is able to focus on as they build out their DC Universe. How it will all play out remains to be seen as they go through the first shows and films from Chapter 1: Gods & Monsters. Hopefully, as Gunn and Safran get the DCU up and running in a few years, the hard work behind getting DC Studios created will be paid off.
