In 1984, DC Comics experienced a renaissance, captivating readers with its fresh and engaging titles. This era was famously marked by the slogan: “The New DC. There’s no stopping us now.” Fast forward over 40 years, and a similar mantra seems to be driving DC Studios, a division of Warner Bros. Discovery dedicated to bringing beloved comic characters to both the big and small screens.
At a recent press event, James Gunn, co-head of DC Studios, emphasized the studio's commitment to keeping these iconic characters alive. "We want to bring new stories and new life, introduce these characters to new generations," he stated. Gunn, alongside Peter Safran, leads DC Studios, which is just over two years old, with its first major test being this summer’s Superman, both written and directed by Gunn.
The duo isn't waiting to see how Superman performs before moving forward. The production of Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow is halfway through in London, and Lanterns, featuring heroes Hal Jordan and John Stewart, has begun shooting in Los Angeles. The upcoming Clayface film, a body horror thriller, is set to start shooting this summer for a fall 2026 release, while Sgt. Rock, a period war movie directed by Luca Guadagnino, is actively seeking its star. Additionally, an animated film titled Dynamic Duo is in pre-production.
This August, the second season of the action-comedy series The Peacemaker will debut on Max. The studio has also taken significant steps in shaping its identity by acquiring the documentary Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story, which recently won awards from BAFTA and the PGA, and by unveiling its first MAX animated series, Creature Commandos.
Since taking over in November 2022, Gunn and Safran have made substantial progress, unifying the brand and greenlighting several projects. Safran explained, “We’ve unified the brand, greenlit five theatrical films, made three live-action series, and are producing five animated series.” The company aims to release two live-action films, one animated movie, and produce two live-action and two animated series for Max annually.
The studio aims to cater to diverse audiences by working across multiple genres and sizes of projects. Safran stated, “We don’t serve one kind of audience, so why make one kind of movie?” This approach allows them to allocate resources effectively based on the story's demands and revenue expectations.
Gunn emphasized the importance of maintaining standalone stories within the DC Universe. “We are writer-driven,” he declared, ensuring projects are not greenlit until they are satisfied with the script. This dedication to quality has led to the rise of unexpected projects like Rock and Clayface.
DC Studios has a six-year plan, potentially culminating in an Avengers: Endgame-style event. Despite some challenges with projects like Waller and Booster Gold, the studio remains flexible and adaptive. The much-anticipated Batman projects face delays, with the sequel to The Batman still in development and The Brave and the Bold script underway.
As DC Studios continues its journey, the focus remains on Superman. Gunn believes the character embodies timeless values, making him relevant today. The studio is committed to delivering a successful Superman movie, with Warner Bros. Discovery's full support behind the project.
“DZ (David Zaslav) loves what we’re doing, loves the movie, and has really rallied the entire company behind Superman for this summer,” Safran affirmed, highlighting the studio's united effort to bring Superman back to the forefront of pop culture.
