James Gunn DC Studios control may be on shaky ground if Warner Bros. Discovery is acquired by Paramount Skydance, as recent reports reveal that decisions from David Ellison and Paramount executive Josh Greenstein could shift the DCU’s direction. Discussions are underway amid a potential merger, raising questions about the future creative leadership for one of Hollywood’s biggest superhero franchises.
Paramount Skydance’s Bid Could Disrupt Warner Bros. Discovery Leadership
With Warner Bros. Discovery being eyed for acquisition, Paramount Skydance and Netflix are both placing competitive offers. Puck reports that if David Ellison and Paramount Skydance succeed, the existing power structure at DC Studios—currently overseen by James Gunn and Peter Safran—may be fundamentally altered. Zach Cregger, who is known for his work in the horror genre and recently discussed his ambitions with Paramount co-chair Josh Greenstein, could gain a major foothold in the DCU.
Cregger’s long-discussed project, rumored to be a script titled Henchmen, has garnered renewed interest within Paramount’s top leadership. Recent reporting reveals,
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. While the specific DC Comics characters involved were not named, insiders suggest that Cregger stands poised to write and direct a project inside the superhero universe if the Paramount deal closes.
Puck further alleges that Cregger and Greenstein met personally to discuss the potential DCU film, holding talks in Prague, where Cregger is currently directing a Resident Evil reboot for Sony Pictures. This possible collaboration between Cregger and Paramount’s leadership adds uncertainty for existing DC Studios executives if a merger goes through. As the report details,
As things now stand at Warner Bros., James Gunn and Peter Safran control who directs DC movies, choices they make after they have developed scripts to their liking,
— Puck News. But, as sources close to the negotiations put it,
It sounds like change may be in the wind if, indeed, the Ellisons prevail.
— Puck News.
Creative Control for Gunn and Safran Under Threat
The potential loss of creative autonomy for James Gunn and Peter Safran is tied directly to the fate of the Paramount merger. Currently, the duo holds final approval power over DCU scripts and directors. However, Puck News warns of early plans in the works even before any formal ownership change:
James Gunn and Peter Safran might not retain full control of DC movies if Paramount gets WB per @PuckNews :“It appears that early planning is already in place, when-and if-the Ellisons lock up Warner Bros. Discovery.I’m told Zach Cregger discussed with Josh Greenstein his… pic.twitter.com/WoguZiseKI— John Rocha (@TheRochaSays) December 3, 2025
— @PuckNews/John Rocha.
If Paramount Skydance’s bid prevails, Zach Cregger could leapfrog into the DC creative team, forcing Gunn and Safran to cede exclusive decision-making. Reports indicate the new executives would be empowered to greenlight Cregger’s project, altering the careful structure Gunn and Safran have constructed since taking over DC Studios leadership.
Despite these mounting rumors, Paramount has not provided any comment, and nothing is set in stone. For now, Gunn and Safran remain in charge, with upcoming projects like Supergirl (releasing June 26, 2026), Clayface (arriving in September), and Gunn’s Superman sequel, Man Of Tomorrow (scheduled for July 9, 2027), moving ahead under their stewardship. Meanwhile, Cregger’s Resident Evil movie for Sony will debut in theaters next September, giving the director substantial credibility but limiting his immediate availability for any new DCU project.
A Tumultuous Path Forward for DC Studios
The fate of James Gunn DC Studios control ultimately depends on corporate decisions far above the producers’ heads. Industry insiders suggest much must align for Gunn and Safran to be forced out of their roles as primary visionaries for the DCU, especially considering the uncertain status of the Paramount Skydance buyout. Notably, as of the latest updates from Variety and THR, Netflix currently leads the race to buy Warner Bros. Discovery, while Paramount has raised concerns about what it claims is an unfair and conflicted sales process.
Still, should Paramount Skydance win out, the result could upend DC Studios’ brand identity and momentum, with Gunn’s bold reboot only just getting started. This uncertainty is magnified by the superhero film genre’s ongoing debates about audience fatigue and rivalry with the MCU, amplifying the stakes of who ultimately steers the DCU. Consequently, the strategy of Ellison and Greenstein remains under scrutiny, as the studio’s future may hinge on leadership direction and the willingness to embrace new creative voices like Cregger’s.
For now, the issue remains unresolved, and fans, critics, and observers alike are left to watch as high-stakes negotiations determine whether James Gunn retains the decisive say over upcoming DC films. Any major shakeup before DC Studios fully hits its stride would likely subject the franchise to greater instability just as it tries to distance itself from past missteps and carve out a unique identity against its MCU competition. All eyes remain on Warner Bros. Discovery’s next move, as a turbulent new era could begin at any moment in the evolving superhero landscape.
James Gunn and Peter Safran might not retain full control of DC movies if Paramount gets WB per @PuckNews :
“It appears that early planning is already in place, when-and if-the Ellisons lock up Warner Bros. Discovery.
I'm told Zach Cregger discussed with Josh Greenstein his… pic.twitter.com/WoguZiseKI
— John Rocha (@TheRochaSays) December 3, 2025
