Paramount May Curb James Gunn Creative Authority at DC Studios if Skydance Wins the Warner Bros. Bidding War — That Doesn’t Mean Zack Snyder Is Returning

Now that Warner Bros. Discovery is up for sale, a major concern has been the future of James Gunn and Peter Safran’s leadership at DC Studios, especially if Paramount buys the company. There have been conflicting reports – some suggesting Gunn would be let go right away, while others claim he’d be safe. A recent report from a source within the industry offers a more nuanced view, suggesting a connection between Paramount’s potential acquisition, Gunn’s position, and the overall direction of the DC Universe.

A recent report in Puck News suggests that if Paramount and Skydance acquire DC, James Gunn and Peter Safran might continue leading the DC Universe, but with less creative control than they currently have at Warner Bros. Discovery. Paramount reportedly wants to have more direct supervision, include additional perspectives, and establish a more standard studio management structure for DC’s projects. This situation is separate from any decisions regarding Zack Snyder’s involvement.

Paramount Interest in Zach Cregger Points to a More Hands-On Studio Philosophy

According to reports from Belloni, Paramount is very impressed with Zach Cregger, the director of the recent hit film Weapons. Josh Greenstein, a co-chair at Paramount Pictures, has already met with Cregger to discuss a potential movie set within the DC Universe. The project is likely to move forward if Paramount’s acquisition of a portion of DC is completed.

If accurate, this hints at a major shift:

Paramount may want DC to function more like a filmmaker-driven division.
Gunn and Safran may no longer have complete creative authority over every DCU project.
New directors — especially those with recent hits — could be given more autonomy.

This paints a picture where Gunn is not removed, but no longer all-powerful within DC Studios.

This Is Not Proof That Gunn Is Being Fired or That Zack Snyder Is Returning

Rumors online have gotten out of hand, with some fans suggesting the new Paramount-Skydance agreement will lead to James Gunn being replaced by Zack Snyder at DC. However, these claims are completely unfounded and not supported by any actual reports.

Look, it seems James Gunn, who’s really been calling the shots since taking the reins at DC Studios, might actually have someone looking over his shoulder now. And over at Paramount, they’re apparently wanting a little more control – a bit more say in how things are going. It’s a shift in power dynamics, and honestly, it’ll be interesting to see how it plays out creatively.

There’s no reliable information suggesting the studio plans to bring Snyder back, and there are valid reasons why they wouldn’t.

The Snyderverse Failed to Deliver What the Studio Needed

The Snyder era ended because it wasn’t working:

As a big superhero movie fan, I remember Man of Steel doing okay, but things really went downhill with Batman v Superman. It just didn’t connect with audiences, and then Justice League – even with the different cuts – couldn’t turn things around. It seemed like Zack Snyder’s very dark and often gray take on the DC universe really split fans, and that affected everything – toy sales went down, and all the plans for a big, connected DC movie world kind of fell apart. It was a shame, honestly.

The DC Extended Universe didn’t find solid footing with Zack Snyder leading the way, and eventually Warner Bros. realized they needed a completely different plan.

The Rumors Ignore Industry Reality

Look, despite everything that’s happened, I keep seeing chatter online about DC potentially bringing back the person who steered the ship last time – the same person whose previous efforts ultimately fizzled out. It’s a bit baffling, honestly, given how things went before.

There’s no indication from industry sources or company leaders that Paramount is interested in this.

Rumors about what might happen are mostly just online chatter, and don’t match what’s actually being discussed at the studio. If the sale is finalized, the most likely outcome is that James Gunn will remain in his position, but with someone supervising his work.

What Does This Mean for Gunn’s DCU Vision?

The rest of the Belloni report highlights potential challenges for the DC Universe’s future. It points out that James Gunn usually gets very involved in the creative process – specifically scripts and story – even when he’s not the writer or director. There’s been talk in the industry that this has sometimes led to rewrites or caused delays for directors.

If Paramount wants to support up-and-coming directors, especially those who’ve recently had success like Zach Cregger, James Gunn might have to be more flexible than he is now. The current system allows him a lot of control, but giving new filmmakers a chance could require him to share that control.

How Deep Could Paramount’s Influence Go?

Cregger’s pitch reportedly sits in a “particular corner” of the DC Universe.

That could mean:

An Elseworlds-style project outside the DCU continuity
A DCU-adjacent film that doesn’t impact Gunn’s long-term plans
A fully integrated DCU story with a different creative voice

The first two options wouldn’t really change Gunn’s plans. However, the third option would drastically alter how decisions are made at DC Studios.

The situation suggests that Gunn and Safran will likely continue to lead, but with some oversight and not complete control.

Final Thoughts

If Paramount Skydance buys Warner Bros. Discovery, the DC Universe will likely see some changes in how it’s run. James Gunn might still be in charge, but he’d probably have less creative freedom and more people looking over his shoulder. This is a big shift, but it doesn’t mean the rumors about Gunn being fired and Zack Snyder taking over are true.

The DC Extended Universe led by Zack Snyder ultimately ended because it wasn’t successful. While fans still hope for a comeback, that idea is driven by speculation, not news from inside the industry. The important story isn’t about reviving the old vision, but about how the relationship between Paramount and James Gunn could define the future of DC films and shows.

2025-12-04 15:58