HBO Max executive is excited to work with the new CEOs of DC Studios on additional live-action projects for the HBO-branded streaming service. It's a new era for Warner Bros. Discovery when it comes to expanding the DC brand on the big and small screens. After a long search, Peter Safran and James Gunn are officially leading DC Studios for them, as they will oversee film, TV, and animation for the company. While they have yet to reveal specific details on what their plans are for the DCU (formerly known as the DCEU) a 10-year plan is being eyed for the popular comic book brand in media.
Even though there are changes happening at Warner Bros. Discovery and how they strategize their DC IPs, HBO Max couldn't be more thrilled with the creation of DC Studios, which launched on November 1. In a recent interview with Variety, Sarah Aubrey, who is the head of originals at HBO Max, spoke about the new chapter for the DC brand and how it affects the WarnerMedia-owned streaming service. Aubrey had nothing but praise for Safran and Gunn being tapped to run DC Studios, as she called "a brilliant move" to let a filmmaker and producer take on these respective roles, sharing the following:
“It’s a brilliant move to bring a filmmaker and producer into these executive roles for DC. I know from working with James and Peter on ‘Peacemaker’ that they have the creative passion, confidence and deep filmmaking expertise to chart a new course for DC that’s full of originality and exciting for both fans and filmmakers.”
How DC Studios Will Affect HBO Max
Even though HBO Max and Warner Bros. Discovery already have DC projects coming up both on the streaming service and theatrically, DC Studios will definitely play a crucial component for the digital platform. With Gunn and Safran in charge of not one but three different divisions for DC's multi-media presence, it will allow for more cohesiveness for their properties. Whether they are tied to the DCU or exist on their own, similar to The Batman and Joker franchises, having two CEOs be in charge of how they adapt these properties from page to screen will allow for something that Warner Bros. Discovery has lacked for years with the DC content: a sense of harmony.
It also benefits the DCU that DC Studios have two leaders that are more than familiar with the ongoing cinematic universe, with Gunn having directed and written The Suicide Squad and Peacemaker season 1. Safran has served as a producer on multiple DCU titles, including Aquaman, and Shazam, which includes their 2023 sequels, and the upcoming Blue Beetle movie. With Warner Bros. Discovery still also having an investment to broaden out their DC content through HBO Max, that will make upcoming series, regardless if they are tied to the DCU or not, have more stability, as several DC TV shows that were in the works for the streaming service has either been scrapped or are being shopped around to other outlets.
The bigger question that remains now is when DC Studios will begin to announce some of their upcoming plans for both theatrical as well as products on HBO Max. Since Gunn and Safran's roles went into effect only a few weeks ago, it might not be until sometime next year that they begin to tease what's coming up from the DC world, whether it's a TV show for HBO Max or a feature film. Nevertheless, it will be intriguing to see what this new chapter does for DC Studios, as this is a game-changer for Warner Bros. after several years of trying to compete with Marvel Studios. With the HBO Max team thrilled to collaborate with DC Studios in the coming years, time will tell what sorts of projects will be coming to the streaming service.
Source: Variety
