David Ellison approves James Gunn’s 10-year plan for DC Studios: the new superhero universe “safe” ahead of the merger closing

David Ellison, chairman and chief executive of Skydance, has given his approval to the ten-year plan of James Gunn and Peter Safran for running DC Studios, as ComicBook.com announces, citing a Bloomberg report. The meeting took place during a visit by Ellison to the set of the film “Man of Tomorrow”, where the DC executives presented their strategy to turn the DCU universe into the centre of superhero films.

The announcement comes just days before the closing of the $111 billion merger between Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros., set for October 6. According to the same report, Ellison was impressed by what he heard and backed their long-term vision. It has also been confirmed that Gunn and Safran will continue to lead DC Studios under the new management, even though their contracts officially expire in August next year.

On the studio’s calendar, the DCU’s next title is “Clayface”, which arrives in cinemas soon, while “Man of Tomorrow” is set for July 2027. According to industry insiders, the reaction to the first footage of “Man of Tomorrow” has been positive, although after the box-office failure of “Supergirl”, the success of the next film is seen as decisive for the future of the plan.

The Warner Bros. merger with Skydance has caused major concerns in Hollywood — from job cuts to fears that a “super studio” will decide which films get made. But for the DC universe, the signal is clear: Gunn, Safran and their vision have received the green light to continue as planned.