Will James Gunn continue as the co-head of DC Studios if parent company WBD is bought by Paramount? There are a lot of conflicting reports about what the future could hold for Gunn and the DC Universe.
The Hollywood rumor mill is churning again — and this time, it’s not just about superheroes on screen. Bloomberg reports that David Ellison’s newly formed Paramount Skydance Corp. plans to keep “much of Warner Bros. Discovery intact” if its proposed merger goes through.
Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison being interviewed – YouTube, CNBC Television
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That’s good news for many in Hollywood who’ve been sweating through round after round of layoffs and restructurings. According to Bloomberg’s reporting, Ellison wants to preserve the creative teams at both Paramount and Warner Bros. while consolidating marketing, distribution, and streaming operations. It’s a message designed to soothe anxious creatives — but the silence surrounding one particular corner of Warner Bros. has raised eyebrows.
There’s no mention of DC Studios, no mention of Superman: Legacy, and no mention of whether James Gunn will continue as the head of DC.
Bloomberg’s “Stay Calm” Strategy
Bloomberg’s report paints Ellison as the anti-Disney — a producer who wants to make more films, not fewer, and who still believes in theatrical releases. The son of Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, David has built his career on blockbuster hits like Top Gun: Maverick and Mission: Impossible. He’s reportedly targeting an ambitious slate of 30 films per year if the Paramount-Warner merger becomes reality.
Under the proposed plan, HBO Max would merge into Paramount+, creating a single streaming service with a unified library. The combined studio would maintain iconic networks like Nickelodeon, MTV, and CNN, while Paramount’s CBS News could share resources with Warner Bros.’ CNN division.
But while the language of the report seems calm and confident — “keeping creative teams intact” — industry veterans know that’s often corporate-speak for some creative teams will survive the first wave.
The Missing DC Chapter
That’s where the alarm bells start ringing for fans of DC.
Nowhere in Bloomberg’s extensive coverage is DC Studios or James Gunn mentioned. That omission is strange considering DC remains one of Warner Bros.’ most valuable creative engines. It’s not a small department — it’s the company’s superhero identity, the core of its cinematic universe.
Superman in the trailer for James Gunn’s Superman – YouTube, DC
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Cosmic Book News pointed out this exact absence, noting that while Ellison’s “keep the creatives” message sounds reassuring, it may not apply to separate executive branches like Gunn’s DC Studios. Gunn himself previously admitted he wasn’t sure about his position beyond 2027’s Man of Tomorrow.
If Warner Bros. Discovery merges with Paramount, the likelihood that DC Studios remains an independent power base is questionable. Industry chatter already suggests DC could be folded back into the main Warner Bros. Pictures division under co-chairs Michael De Luca and Pamela Abdy — both of whom had their own vision for DC before Gunn and Peter Safran were handed the reins directly by David Zaslav.
Why Gunn Might Stay — and Why He Might Not
To be fair, there are reasons Gunn’s position could be secure. The Bloomberg report’s emphasis on maintaining creative output suggests Ellison values consistent, brand-driven content. DC, even with uneven box office results, remains a household name. Firing or sidelining the architect of the current DC roadmap might invite unnecessary instability.
Still, history offers a warning.
Superman wounded in the snow in the trailer for James Gunn’s Superman – YouTube, DC
When Disney absorbed 20th Century Fox in 2019, entire divisions were gutted despite early promises to preserve creative teams. Paramount Skydance itself is cutting around 1,000 jobs this week as part of internal restructuring. And Taylor Sheridan, the creative force behind Yellowstone, is leaving Paramount for Universal in 2028 — proof that “creative security” often doesn’t last long in a post-merger landscape.
If Ellison does move forward with his goal of 30 films a year and AI-assisted production, Warner Bros. could look very different — and not every creative lead will survive that transformation.
The Bigger Picture: Expansion or Erasure?
Ellison has described his acquisition philosophy as “wanting to make more, not less.” On paper, that sounds like a win for filmmakers and franchises alike. But in practice, “more” often means “different.”
The DC Universe under Gunn has been divisive, from the tonal shifts of Peacemaker to the polarizing reception of the new Superman. Critics question whether the creative vision is resonating with audiences or confusing them. A new owner might view a reset — or a leadership change — as a quick way to refresh the brand and attract investors.
James Gunn and John Cena introduce the Red Band Trailer for Peacemaker Season 2 – YouTube, DC
And while Bloomberg’s reporting doesn’t explicitly mention DC, it’s hard to imagine Ellison ignoring one of Warner’s most famous properties. Whether Gunn is viewed as a creative asset or a stumbling block will likely depend on how Superman: Legacy performs financially and critically.
Final Thoughts: The Calm Before the Cut
So, Will James Gunn’s continue as the head of DC Studios? Is his future really safe?
For now, maybe.
Bloomberg’s article offers a veneer of stability — one designed to keep Hollywood from panicking before a merger even happens. But mergers have a way of rewriting the script. Even if Ellison keeps the “creative teams” broadly intact, that doesn’t guarantee leadership immunity for divisive figures.
James Gunn introduces the trailer for Peacemaker Season 2 – YouTube, DC
If the upcoming Supergirl and Man of Tomorrow soar at the box office, Gunn may find himself indispensable. If these projects stumble, the new Paramount-Warner brass might see an opportunity to quietly roll DC Studios back into the fold and start fresh.
In other words, the next chapter of the DC Universe may not be written by the man currently holding the pen.
Do you think James Gunn will continue as head of DC Studios? Sound off in the comments and let us know!
I think Gunn is overrated and certainly not up to the task of managing a whole cinematic universe. Of course neither was Fiege but at least he had time to grow it from a surprisingly successful single movie before the idea of an MCU was even birthed. Gunn is being asked to do in just a year or two what Fiege had 15 years to build.
That said, I’d hate to see him booted and have yet another team come in, scrap everything from before, and start all this crap over again. I already don’t have the energy to care much; another reboot would be a bridge too far.