James Gunn’s DC Studios Contract Could Expire Sooner Than Fans Expected

James Gunn’s future as the co-head of DC Studios may not be as secure as many fans expected. According to a new report from The Hollywood Reporter, Gunn and Peter Safran’s current contracts with DC Studios are believed to expire either at the end of 2026 or 2027.

While no official date has been confirmed by Warner Bros. Discovery, the report suggests the studio will eventually have to decide whether to extend the leadership team behind the new DC Universe.

The report arrives after a difficult week for DC Studios. Supergirl opened below expectations at the box office, making it the first major theatrical setback for the rebooted DC Universe. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the disappointing launch has placed more attention on Gunn’s leadership, especially because he has become the public face of the franchise through interviews and social media.

Unlike many studio executives, Gunn is deeply involved in the creative process. He writes, directs, and produces projects while also overseeing the entire DC Studios slate alongside Safran. That unusual role has made him one of the most visible executives in Hollywood, but it also means that any success or failure reflects directly on him.

The Hollywood Reporter says Supergirl faced creative problems long before it reached theaters. The report claims director Craig Gillespie and Gunn were not always on the same page during post-production. Several sources told the outlet that the studio eventually created its own version of the movie to compete against Gillespie’s cut during test screenings.

One insider described the situation by saying, “They were not creatively aligned.” Other sources disputed that description, insisting the disagreements were no different from the normal creative discussions that happen on many major productions.

According to the report, DC Studios believed the film needed significant work after test screenings in late 2025. Writer Jeremy Slater was reportedly brought in to assist during post-production, while additional photography helped reshape parts of the movie, including its final battle. The studio even tested two separate cuts of the film in front of audiences before ultimately choosing its own version for release.

The report notes that although Gunn’s preferred cut performed slightly better during testing, neither version generated particularly strong audience scores. One anonymous filmmaker who was not involved with the project told the outlet, “It happens more than you think, but it’s not normal. If a studio is going to put money into the test process, it means they feel strongly about certain things.”

Despite Supergirl’s struggles, the report makes it clear that Warner Bros. is not planning to abandon Gunn and Safran’s long-term strategy. The studio still has several major projects moving forward, including Clayface, Man of Tomorrow, and multiple television series connected to the expanding DC Universe. Gunn is also continuing work as a filmmaker, directing Man of Tomorrow while overseeing future DC productions.

Safran recently addressed the disappointing opening weekend during an interview with The New York Times. He said, “While Supergirl didn’t meet our box office expectations, it’s just one component of a broader, long-term strategy at DC Studios that we remain confident in.” His comments suggest the studio still believes the overall plan remains on track despite one commercial setback.

Still, Gunn’s contract timeline could become an important story over the next year. If the agreements truly expire in late 2026 or 2027, Warner Bros. Discovery will soon have to evaluate the early results of the new DC Universe before deciding whether to extend its leadership team.

Gunn arrived at DC Studios with an ambitious vision after years of success directing Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy and DC’s The Suicide Squad. His goal has been to build a connected universe with stronger creative consistency than previous DC films achieved. While Superman launched that plan successfully, Supergirl has shown that rebuilding a major franchise is far from easy.

For now, James Gunn remains firmly in charge of DC Studios. However, according to The Hollywood Reporter, the next year could determine not only the future of the DC Universe but also whether Gunn and Safran continue leading it beyond their current contracts.

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