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David Zaslav Reportedly Sends James Gunn a Warm Farewell After His DC Exit

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David Zaslav was the executive who first handed James Gunn the keys to DC. Back in 2022, the then-Warner Bros. Discovery CEO named Gunn and Peter Safran co-chairmen and CEOs of DC Studios, with a mandate to build a true rival to Disney’s Marvel Cinematic Universe. At the time, Zaslav said he was thrilled to have their singular and complementary talents overseeing the DC Universe.

Zaslav remained one of the pair’s loudest supporters. After ‘Superman’ opened last summer, he praised their bold 10-year plan and said the DC vision was clear and the momentum was real. Even after ‘Supergirl’ struggled at the box office, he insisted DC looked very good.

Now that Gunn is leaving his executive role, Zaslav has reportedly offered one more show of support. According to a post shared by fan account Everything_DCU, Zaslav responded to Gunn’s farewell message by saying everyone is grateful Gunn took the job. He reportedly called Gunn an extraordinary leader and a great creative, described his creative vision for DC as magical, and said he can’t wait for audiences to see ‘Man of Tomorrow’.

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Fans should note that the comment has so far been shared by fan accounts rather than confirmed by major outlets. The screenshot accompanying the post shows Gunn’s farewell post, which opens with the line “Oh, boy. What a four years,” along with supportive replies from followers.

Gunn’s own message set the tone for the reactions. In his statement shared on Threads and Instagram, he described his 4 years at DC Studios as trying and admitted that he disliked the at-times corporate side of the job. He also said he was glad he took the role, and that he hadn’t been sure he even wanted it when it was first offered.

He also didn’t hide how he felt about leaving. Gunn said he was incredibly relieved and excited to get back to pure filmmaking. He also revealed that he’s writing another DC project, so his time with the brand isn’t finished.

Zaslav’s reported warmth stands in contrast to the circumstances of Gunn’s exit. Gunn and Safran are stepping down effective December 1, and Skydance has named Marvel veteran Jeremy Latcham as president and chief creative officer. Variety reports that the pair were dismissed after spending big on projects that didn’t connect with audiences.

The reporting structure had already changed by then. Under Zaslav, Gunn and Safran answered directly to him, but after Paramount’s $111 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, staying on would have meant a demotion. For a time, they reported to Skydance CEO David Ellison before the change was made.

Zaslav’s reported comment also points to what’s next for Gunn. ‘Superman: Man of Tomorrow’ is in post-production and set for release next summer. Gunn has called it the best filmmaking experience of his life so far.

Gunn and Safran are also producing ‘The People v. Gorilla Grodd’ and another season of ‘Creature Commandos’. They remain producers on ‘The Batman: Part II’ as well, which is slated for 2028.

The farewell post has been filled with support from fans and collaborators. One reply visible in the screenshot simply thanks Gunn and asks Krypto to take them home, a nod to Superman’s canine sidekick.

Zaslav’s reported message is one of the warmest public goodbyes Gunn has received from inside the industry. For now, the transition is moving ahead. Whether Gunn’s DC vision continues under Latcham will become clearer once the new leadership takes over in December.

Do you think David Zaslav's praise is a fair way to remember James Gunn's time leading DC Studios?

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