James Gunn Says He Has a 10-year plan for DC Studios

After a long search to find the creative and business brain the company needed to power DC’s often troubled film, TV, and games arm, Warner Bros. Discovery raised eyebrows when it tapped director James Gunn and producer Peter Safran to run what is now about to happen. known as DC Studios.

Now, speaking with WBD CEO David Zaslav in a virtual town hall, the new co-chief (who started work on November 1) is starting to outline what they’re working on.

“This is a unique opportunity to tell one big, overarching story”, said Safran, who is known for producing ‘Shazam!’ and ‘Aquaman’ alongside the film ‘Conjuring’. “One big, beautiful story across film, television games, live action, and animation.”

“The opportunity to make DC as big as possible and the way it should be — that’s why I’m doing this job because I know that Peter and I can do it,” said Gunn. “We’ve spent the last few days with a group of the best minds in the industry, the best writers in the industry starting to map out the eight to 10 year plan of what it’s going to be like in theatre, in TV. , in animation, throughout for these characters.”

The pair succeeded Walter Hamada, who ran DC Films for four years. The impression is one of a company in turmoil – between a change in studio management, a film with little or no connection – or a drama when someone like Zack Snyder does offer some kind of vision to unite several heroes. Not to mention the mixed box office results.

Gunn’s hiring remains a surprise, as he’s really only known for making movies, even though he was also involved in helping guide the Marvel Cinematic Universe while working with Kevin Feige on the ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ films and beyond. He never indicated he might want to hold the same position, though he definitely brings creative savvy to the table, while Safran handles the business side (and movie buffs, too).

And the idea of ​​a grand plan for the studio’s DC output going forward certainly echoes what Marvel has done for Disney, albeit with the advantage of building slowly. DC’s previous attempts seemed to emulate it at such a pace, neither worked.

Gunn also had praise for Zaslav at the meeting: “I know you did all of this because you love these characters too, and you love the possibility, and the hope that they represent and that was clear to us from the start. We never would have considered this if that wasn’t the case, so, thank you.”

It’s an attitude few other filmmakers may not share, as Zaslav’s brief tenure in charge has so far seen a series of cost-cutting measures, with movies and TV shows being canceled or cancelled, including ‘Batgirl’.