Concerns have grown over the future of James Gunn DC Studios control as rumors of a Paramount Skydance acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery circulate. The speculation centers on what might happen to the leadership of DC Studios, currently headed by James Gunn and Peter Safran, should this deal materialize.
If Paramount emerges as the new owner, it is likely Gunn and Safran would lose their authority over major decisions at DC Studios. According to media reports, David Ellison and Paramount co-chair Josh Greenstein have shown significant interest in filmmaker Zach Cregger, director of Weapons, and may look to elevate his role within the DC Universe if they gain ownership. This could directly impact the creative direction of the DCU, which Gunn and Safran currently steer.
Zach Cregger’s Potential Influence on the DCU
Sources familiar with Paramount’s priorities have indicated that Greenstein recently met with Cregger in Prague, where Cregger is working on his Resident Evil film. The discussions reportedly included Cregger’s ambition to develop a project based in a specific area of the DC universe, potentially using the Henchman screenplay, which he has previously discussed.
“According to a knowledgeable source, Paramount has been crushing lately on writer-director Zach Cregger, [and] I’m told Cregger discussed with Greenstein his desire to write and direct a movie set in a particular corner of the DC universe (which character or characters are involved is unclear), and Greenstein said he would be more than happy to make that happen, if possible.”
— Knowledgeable Source
What the Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery Deal Means for the DCU
While these developments hinge entirely on whether Paramount actually acquires Warner Bros. Discovery, the situation remains uncertain. Presently, Netflix is considered the more likely candidate to secure a deal, but shifts in the balance of power could happen with any new buyer. For James Gunn, Peter Safran, and their supporters, this means that control over DC Studios and the fate of their upcoming projects is far from secure, with their leadership role possibly nearing its end.
The current lineup for the DCU remains unchanged at this time. Scheduled releases include Supergirl on June 26, 2026, followed by Clayface on September 11, and Man of Tomorrow on July 9, 2027. However, any ownership transition would likely have significant ramifications for both existing plans and the broader future of the DC Studios creative team.
