Superman Stays, Batman in Limbo: What DC’s Leadership Shakeup Means for Every Hero
The future of DC’s heroes is suddenly up for debate. With James Gunn and Peter Safran leaving DC Studios, fans are asking which characters, actors, and projects will survive under new management.
The change was announced this week. Gunn and Safran are stepping down as co-CEOs, with former Marvel Studios executive Jeremy Latcham appointed as the division’s new president and chief creative officer. He takes over on December 1, inheriting a young franchise that has had a mix of hits and disappointments.
Variety has now examined where each major hero stands. The best news is for the Man of Steel, as the outlet believes Latcham will likely keep David Corenswet in the role, considering Superman was essentially the face of the new universe and one of DC’s crown jewels.
Corenswet’s next outing is already on the way. He will don his Superman cape and trunks in next summer’s sequel, ‘Man of Tomorrow’, written and directed by Gunn. The first film earned $618 million worldwide. The Dark Knight is a different story. Batman is DC’s most popular and lucrative character, but his future is almost as murky as the shadows he creeps in.
Robert Pattinson’s Reeves film grossed $772.8 million globally, and ‘The Batman Part II’ is slated for Feb. 18, 2028, after production delays and Steven Soderbergh finishing the shoot for Reeves. Reeves has spoken about a trilogy, but whether it can continue under the new leadership is unclear.
On July 11, It Begins. Superman – Only in Theaters 2025 #Superman #FilmedForIMAX @IMAX Watch the teaser trailer now and ❤️ this post to get updates from @Superman before it hits theaters this July. https://t.co/ZaUfo1ekRn
— Superman (@Superman) December 19, 2024
Wonder Woman remains a mystery. The Paradise Lost TV series was scrapped this summer, and rumors suggest Adria Arjona may debut as the character in ‘Man of Tomorrow’, though she may instead play Maxima. Gunn has publicly pushed back on the Wonder Woman rumors, and DC Studios has not confirmed her role.
That uncertainty affects the bigger picture too. ‘Man of Tomorrow’ will add more heroes, but founding members like Aquaman, Flash, and Cyborg are absent. Without Batman and Wonder Woman in place, a standalone ‘Justice League’ film is unlikely for a few years.
‘Lanterns’ is in limbo. The HBO series starring Aaron Pierre and Kyle Chandler was a decent ratings hit, but no Season 2 renewal has been announced. Pierre will still reprise his role as John Stewart in ‘Man of Tomorrow’.
Supergirl’s outlook is tougher. Milly Alcock’s solo film made $126 million against a $170 million budget, a major flop. Alcock returns in ‘Man of Tomorrow’, but a new solo film seems unlikely.
‘Clayface’ was more of a success story. Tom Rhys Harries starred in the low-budget standalone villain film, which made $109 million from a $44 million budget. Because it has no Batman connections, Variety doesn’t expect the character to appear in another DC film.
Vengeance equals justice for both the Bat and the Cat. Watch the new trailer for The Batman now. Only in theaters March 4. #TheBatman https://t.co/lEs00GJZtT
— Warner Bros. (@warnerbros) December 27, 2021
Harley Quinn could be an opportunity. Margot Robbie hasn’t played the role since 2021’s ‘The Suicide Squad’, and while she may be finished with the character, Variety argues that a return like Hugh Jackman’s in ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ could be an easy win for the DCU.
Blue Beetle is coming back, at least for now. Xolo Maridueña returns in ‘Man of Tomorrow’, but his solo film underperformed with $130 million at the box office, and a follow-up seems far-fetched.
‘Man of Tomorrow’ is now the key test. Arriving in theaters on July 9, 2027, it brings together much of the existing cast and could shape how Latcham approaches the rest of the universe.
First look at Robert Pattinson as Batman in ‘The Batman Part 2’ https://t.co/IF94iZAYd0
— DiscussingPulse (@DiscussingPulse) July 16, 2026
Gunn’s involvement isn’t completely over either. He has said he and Safran are working on another DC project that he’s writing, though its details remain unclear. For now, Superman appears secure while the rest of DC’s heroes wait to learn their fate.
Which DC hero do you most want Jeremy Latcham to prioritize under the new leadership?
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