David Zaslav helped put James Gunn in charge of DC Studios. Now, some of Gunn’s fans are blaming the former Warner Bros. Discovery CEO for the end of his tenure.
After Zaslav left a supportive comment on Gunn’s farewell statement, several followers accused him of setting the leadership change in motion by selling the company. Others credited him with making Gunn’s DC Universe possible in the first place.
The responses put the former executive in an awkward position: the man who backed Gunn’s vision is now facing criticism for handing the franchise over to owners with different expectations.
“This Is Your Fault”
According to TheWrap’s report on the backlash, Zaslav praised Gunn’s leadership and creative work in a comment beneath the filmmaker’s Instagram statement.
“We’re all grateful you took the job, James. You’re an extraordinary leader and a great creative, and your storytelling and creative vision for DC was magical,” Zaslav wrote. “Can’t wait for everyone to see the exceptional Man Of Tomorrow… Best time together.”
Gunn liked the message, but several followers were considerably less appreciative.
David Zaslav’s Instagram comment – Davidzaslav, Instagram
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“This is your fault,” one wrote.
Another blamed Zaslav directly for the sale: “EXCUSE ME? This is all your fault for selling Warner Bros. knowing what was gonna happen. Spare us, please.”
“Bro thinks he’s on the team,” another commenter remarked. “This is YOUR fault!”
One response criticized Zaslav for selling during what the commenter described as a particularly profitable year for the studio. That accusation, however, offers little insight into the reasons for the transaction or the new owners’ plans for DC.
Another fan took the opportunity to reconsider their earlier criticism of Zaslav.
“We are sorry for how rude we were during your time,” the commenter wrote. “We want you back. You gave us the DCU we know and will always love.”
At least one commenter welcomed the ownership change.
“Thank you too for selling the DC to the right person.”
The reactions reflect competing views of Gunn’s tenure and the franchise’s future. They do little to establish that Zaslav alone caused either Gunn’s firing or DC’s commercial problems.
Zaslav Backed Gunn After Supergirl
Zaslav’s public support for Gunn was hardly new.
As That Park Place reported in August, he defended DC’s direction after Supergirl finished with approximately $126 million worldwide—a disastrous result against its reported $170 million production budget.
Supergirl and James Gunn – DC
Rather than announce a change in strategy, Zaslav praised material from Man of Tomorrow and highlighted the studio’s upcoming projects as reasons for confidence.
The new owners reportedly have a different outlook. Following Monday’s announcement of Gunn’s firing, reports suggest Skydance is preparing to dismantle substantial portions of his planned DCU slate, with incoming DC Studios president and chief creative officer Jeremy Latcham taking over the franchise’s direction.
Whether Zaslav anticipated such sweeping changes remains unclear. His willingness to keep backing Gunn’s vision, however, did not guarantee that his successors would share his confidence.
The New Owners Had Their Own Concerns
Coverage of The Hollywood Reporter’s account describes a leadership change shaped by internal disagreements and financial expectations.
According to that reporting, Gunn and Peter Safran clashed with Skydance film executives over oversight. The new owners also considered Supergirl a disaster and believed the profitable Superman had fallen short of their commercial and cultural expectations.
Superman wounded in the snow in the trailer for James Gunn’s Superman – YouTube, DC
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Meanwhile, Gunn’s farewell statement acknowledged the strain of running DC and his relief at returning to filmmaking.
Zaslav’s encouragement cannot resolve those underlying issues. Nor does fans’ frustration establish that keeping him in charge would have produced a stronger franchise.
He bears responsibility for the leadership and strategy he supported. But any serious assessment of what went wrong must also consider Gunn and Safran’s decisions, the films’ results, and the new owners’ priorities. Blaming the executive who sold the company leaves much of that story unexplained.
Do you think David Zaslav deserves the blame for James Gunn’s DC failures? Sound off and let us know!
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