As Warner Bros. Discovery moves forward with its acquisition by Netflix, James Gunn has addressed what the situation means for the future of the DC Universe. With his contract alongside Peter Safran extended until 2027, the DC Studios co-chief is opening up about the franchise’s direction, theatrical priorities, and how the Netflix acquisition affects the duo’s long-term plans.
James Gunn and Peter Safran talk about the deal between Warner Bros. and Netflix
Amid the recent sell-off, James Gunn and Peter Safran have addressed Warner Bros. being sold to Netflix. In a recent Bloomberg, Gunn emphasized the irreplaceable value of the big screen, stating, “The communal, theatrical experience is something that is incredibly important and remarkably well suited to our big spectacle films.” This comment directly addresses concerns about how a Netflix-owned Warner Bros. might shift content strategies.
The profile also revealed an important detail: Gunn and Safran’s contracts, initially set to end around October 2026, have been extended into the spring of 2027. This vote of confidence precedes the sale news and is echoed by Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav’s strong praise. Zaslav told the outlet, “The work of James and Peter, their creative vision, it’s compelling and a great economic return. There’s no storytelling content that we have that provides a bigger palette than DC.”
Despite not being involved in the sale negotiations, the DC slate was reportedly “front and center” for bidders. Gunn and Safran, however, are not distracted. Per the outlet, they are not “letting larger corporate goings-on alter their plans.” Safran credits their security to Gunn’s creative leadership: “What makes us irreplaceable is truly the mind of James Gunn. He’s been the architect of this grand vision.” Gunn added, “If you’re gonna make a Batman movie, it better be f—ing awesome.”
Despite the uncertainty, the DCU pipeline remains active. Lanterns is set to premiere on HBO in early 2026, followed by Supergirl on June 26 and the R-rated Clayface on September 11. Production on Gunn’s Man of Tomorrow is scheduled to begin in April 2026.
Originally reported by Devanshi Basu on SuperHeroHype.
