James Gunn has shared a long, personal goodbye after four years running DC Studios. Just hours after news broke that he and Peter Safran are stepping down as the heads of DC Studios, James Gunn took to Instagram to say goodbye with a long, personal note to fans. It is warm, honest and, in true Gunn fashion, surprisingly candid about what the job really took out of him.
“Oh, boy. What a four years,” the note begins, before Gunn thanks everyone who supported him and Safran during their time running the studio.
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A Childhood Dream Come True
Gunn recalled growing up in Manchester, Missouri, where he wrote and drew his own comics mixing DC characters with creations of his own. Getting full access to those characters, he wrote, was a dream come true. He admitted he wasn’t sure he wanted the job when it was first offered, but couldn’t turn down the opportunity, and says he’s glad he took it.
He listed some of his favourite moments: releasing Superman and Clayface, making Peacemaker, reading the scripts for The People Vs, and the whole process of making Man of Tomorrow, which he called the best filmmaking experience of his life so far.
“The Smartest and Most Competent Person I Know”
The biggest highlight, though, was the people. Gunn thanked the DC Studios crew, his collaborators, casts and crews, and the “boisterous and hilarious fans.” He saved special praise for Safran, calling him the best partner he could ask for and a truly good friend.
An Honest Look Behind the Scenes
Gunn didn’t sugarcoat the challenges. He described his time running the studio as “trying, to say the least,” explaining that he disliked the at-times corporate side of the role and had sacrificed time with loved ones over the past four years. He even addressed his wife, Jennifer Holland, joking that she shouldn’t feel guilty for being thrilled he’s leaving the job. He also opened up about how his ADHD made it hard to split his focus between passion projects and the endless duties of a studio head.
While he says he’ll miss the people and being a “co-caretaker” of these characters, Gunn admitted he is relieved and excited to return to pure filmmaking.
Not Done With DC Just Yet
Fans hoping this is the end of Gunn’s DC journey can relax. He confirmed that Man of Tomorrow arrives next summer, and revealed that he and Safran have just been hired for another DC project that he is writing. As he put it, the characters they set up will live on.
Gunn and Safran officially hand over to Marvel veteran Jeremy Latcham on December 1, 2026, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter and Variety. For more on what’s next for the studio, read our coverage of the new Constantine film in development.
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