The Batman: Part II is one of the few ‘safe’ DC projects amid James Gunn’s shock exit

A new report has revealed The Batman: Part II is one of three DC projects reportedly safe amid the studio’s new shakeup, which saw James Gunn and Peter Safran make a shocking exit. 

On Monday, November 9, the news emerged that the DC cinematic universe is undergoing yet another major shift. Despite Gunn and Safran taking over as co-CEOs of DC Studios in 2022, they’re now stepping down.

In a statement, Gunn reflected on his past four years, admitting his time as co-CEO had been “trying, to say the least”. He also confessed that he disliked the corporate responsibilities of the role, adding he’s “incredibly relieved and excited to get back to pure filmmaking”.

 

 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by James Gunn (@jamesgunn) 

The leadership shakeup follows Skydance’s takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery. Former Marvel producer Jeremy Latcham is now set to replace Gunn and Safran as DC Studios’ president and chief creative officer on December 1.

And according to industry insider Matthew Belloni’s latest Puck newsletter, the change in leadership could have major consequences for the projects Gunn and Safran had planned.

The Batman: Part II is reportedly ‘safe’ amid DC shakeup

The long-awaited The Batman sequel starring Robert Pattinson as the Caped Crusader has had plenty of shakeups of its own. But insiders told Belloni that it is one of three projects safe. 

The other two include the Gunn-directed Superman follow-up Man of Tomorrow and a mystery “in-the-works” HBO series. 

It’s worth noting that while Pattinson’s Batman exists outside the interconnected DCU established by Gunn and Safran, Matt Reeves’ films still fall under the wider DC Studios umbrella.

That means The Batman: Part II is not entirely separate from the leadership changes, despite telling its own standalone story.

And as said, the film itself has already undergone some huge shakeups. Following delays to the writing process, Reeves had to depart the project last month to tend to an ongoing family matter. 

Oscar-winning filmmaker Steven Soderbergh stepped in to direct the final weeks of principal photography. It’s still on track to release in February 2028. 

What happens to the rest of James Gunn’s DCU?

However, the future of Gunn and Safran’s other DC projects is looking considerably less certain. That includes their own Batman film, The Brave and the Bold, as well as the long-rumoured Wonder Woman movie and a potential Peacemaker season 3.

In his newsletter, Belloni reported that plans are already underway to dismantle much of the slate the pair had mapped out during their time at DC Studios.

Although the circumstances surrounding their exit haven’t been confirmed, the journalist also described the pair as having been fired. 

“The newly fired DC heads, James Gunn and Peter Safran, have it in their contracts that they report to the CEO of the company, which was meaningful during their four-year tenure at Warner Discovery,” he wrote. 

“Running DC as an independent studio, with dotted lines to the film and TV heads for various projects, gave the filmmaker and veteran producer clout internally, as well as creative freedom.”

However, Belloni said, “that wasn’t happening with David Ellison at the combined Skydance” and so Latcham reportedly won’t enjoy the same level of autonomy. 

“I’m told plans are already afoot to dismantle much of what Gunn and Safran had plotted out beyond next summer’s Gunn-directed Man of Tomorrow, the currently shooting The Batman: Part II, and an in-the-works HBO series,” he continued. 

“So DC goes back into reboot mode… again.”

For all the latest film and TV updates and hot takes, like our Facebook page.

Featured image credit: Warner Bros.