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This article is about the production company. For the video game developer, see DC Studios (video game developer).
"DC Films" redirects here. For a list of films based on DC Comics, see List of films based on DC Comics publications.
DC Studios
FormerlyDC Films (2016–2022)
Company typeSubsidiary
IndustryFilm
Television
Animation
GenreSuperhero fiction
FoundedMay 2016; 8 years ago (2016-05)
FounderGeoff Johns
Jon Berg
Headquarters4000 Warner Boulevard,
Burbank, California
,
United States
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
  • James Gunn (co-Chairman and co-CEO)
  • Peter Safran (co-Chairman and co-CEO)
  • Chantal Nong (Vice President, Production)
ProductsMotion pictures
Television shows
BrandsDC Extended Universe
OwnerWarner Bros. Discovery
ParentWarner Bros.
Websitewww.dc.com/movies
Footnotes / references
[1][2][3]

DC Studios (originally known as DC Films from 2016 to 2022) is an American film, television, and animation studio that is a division of Warner Bros.,[4][5] which is a subsidiary of Warner Bros. Discovery. It is dedicated to the production of projects based on characters from DC Comics. James Gunn and Peter Safran assumed control of the company, rebranded as DC Studios, on November 1, 2022.[4] Previously, Walter Hamada was the president of DC Films until his departure in October 2022,[6] working under and reporting directly to the co-CEOs and co-Chairpersons of Warner Bros. Pictures, Michael De Luca and Pamela Abdy.[3][7]

Background

National era

During DC's National era, the company licensed Batman and Superman (and other All-American Comics characters) to Republic Pictures and Columbia Pictures for advertising serials and shorts. Other comic characters, such as Fawcett Comics' Shazam and Quality Comics' Plastic Man (which ultimately sold to DC), also had a serial short.

Warner Communications era

After the release of the first feature-length Batman film, Kinney National Company (later Warner Communications) purchased National Comics Publication in 1967 and then Warner Bros.-Seven Arts in 1969. This purchase meant that the comic company's television and theatrical distribution turned over to Warner Bros. However, it would not take effect until the late 1980s (likely due to licensing deals) after the release of the Superman and Swamp Thing films. The Batman films once again marked a return to the big screen.

History

Beginning of DC Films

After the divisive reception of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Warner Bros. Pictures made moves to stabilize the direction of the DC Extended Universe. The studio reorganized in May 2016 to have genre-responsible film executives, thus DC Entertainment franchise films under Warner Bros. were placed under a newly created division, DC Films, created under Warner Bros. executive vice president Jon Berg and DC Comics chief content officer Geoff Johns. This was done in hopes of competing more directly with Marvel Studios' Marvel Cinematic Universe. Johns also kept his existing role at DC Comics.[8] However, the division's formation was not designed to override the "director-driven" mandate.[9]

Justice League had one of the biggest film budgets (nearly $300 million) but grossed about $96 million in its opening weekend. An analysis in The Washington Post expected that there would be a course correction again, with a possible change in leadership.[10] The DC Extended Universe operated under a "director-driven" mandate.[9] Forbes contributors felt that the course correction would be for DC Films to give up on the shared universe, while continuing with the Wonder Woman films and occasionally other films, as Warner Bros. has other franchises they can work with.[11] Despite this, in December the studio reiterated their current film slate for the unofficially titled DC Extended Universe.[12] That same month, Warner Bros. announced that a new strategy and organization of DC Films would occur with Berg leaving his position as studio's co-president of production to form a Warner Bros.-based production company with Roy Lee, the producer of The LEGO Movie and It. In January 2018, Warner Bros. executive Walter Hamada was appointed as new president of DC Films, to oversee the films in the DC Extended Universe. Hamada has been closely associated with New Line Cinema, and helped develop horror films, such as It and The Conjuring film franchises.[13]

Restructuring

In April 2022, after the merger between WarnerMedia and Discovery, Inc. to form Warner Bros. Discovery, the new CEO David Zaslav was exploring a restructuring of DC Entertainment, including having a creative leader akin to Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige to lead its film and television projects.[14] Later in July, Toby Emmerich stepped down as the head of the Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group. The group was restructured to give DC Films, Warner Bros. Pictures, New Line Cinema, and Warner Animation Group respective leadership. Former MGM executives Michael De Luca and Pamela Abdy became the co-executives of Warner Bros. Pictures and New Line Cinema. They were also temporarily signed to oversee the remaining units of the group until the new positions were filled.[15][16]

When the release of the film Batgirl was canceled by Warner Bros. Discovery in August, Hamada was reportedly not consulted regarding the decision and only learned about it when De Luca and Abdy informed him at a test screening for Black Adam (2022). Hamada was upset and considered resigning, but agreed to stay at least until Black Adam's release.[17] Later that month, Dan Lin entered talks to oversee DC's film and television divisions. From this position, Lin was expected to report directly to Zaslav, while Hamada would depart the studio.[18][19] In September, Lin and Warner Bros. Discovery ended negotiations and agreed to part ways.[20] During Black Adam’s Times Square premiere in October, star and producer Dwayne Johnson said he could be a consultant at DC Films, helping the studio find its next creative leader.[21] Later that month, it was reported that De Luca had been effectively running DC Films in place of Walter Hamada.[22] On October 19, Hamada departed from the company, just two days before the release of Black Adam.[23]

Creation of DC Studios

In October 2022, it was announced that James Gunn and Peter Safran would serve as the co-CEOs/co-Chairmen of the studio which would be rebranded as "DC Studios" moving forward. The duo would oversee production on films, television, and animation under the DC label, reporting directly to David Zaslav, while also working alongside but independently of heads of other divisions. Gunn would oversee creative development on DC projects, aside from Joker: Folie a Deux, which would remain under De Luca and Abdy's supervision. Gunn and Safran's roles began effective November 1, 2022.[4][5][24]

Management

Current

  • James Gunn: co-CEO and co-Chairman of DC Studios; Gunn serves in leadership as creative head for the company (November 2022–present).[4]
  • Peter Safran: co-CEO and co-Chairman of DC Studios; Safran serves in leadership over the business aspects of the company (November 2022–present).[4]
  • Chantal Nong: Vice President of Production, overseeing development and production management of DC-based films (February 2018–present).[25]

Former

  • Walter Hamada: Former President of DC Films, overseeing production at Warner Bros. Pictures (January 2018–October 2022).[3][7][13]
  • Geoff Johns: Former co-Chairman of DC Films (May 2016–December 2017),[26] former DC Entertainment President and CCO (February 2010–June 2018), and former co-runner of the DCEU (2015–June 2018).[27]
  • Jon Berg: Former Warner Bros. Executive Vice President,[8] former co-Chairman of DC Films, and former co-runner of the DCEU (May 2016–December 2017).[26]

Production library

Further information: List of DC Extended Universe films and List of films based on DC Comics publications

Live-action

Films

# Title U.S.
release date 		Director(s) Co-production companies Franchise Notes
Released
1 Suicide Squad August 5, 2016 (2016-08-05) David Ayer Warner Bros. Pictures and Atlas Entertainment DC Extended Universe —
2 Wonder Woman June 2, 2017 (2017-06-02) Patty Jenkins Warner Bros. Pictures, Atlas Entertainment and Cruel and Unusual Films
3 Justice League November 17, 2017 (2017-11-17) Zack Snyder
Joss Whedon[a] 		Warner Bros. Pictures, RatPac-Dune Entertainment,[b] Atlas Entertainment and Cruel and Unusual Films
4 Aquaman December 21, 2018 (2018-12-21) James Wan The Safran Company
5 Shazam! April 5, 2019 (2019-04-05) David F. Sandberg New Line Cinema, The Safran Company and Seven Bucks Productions
6 Joker October 4, 2019 (2019-10-04) Todd Phillips Warner Bros. Pictures, Village Roadshow Pictures, Bron Creative and Joint Effort Productions Joker film series
7 Birds of Prey[c] February 7, 2020 (2020-02-07) Cathy Yan Warner Bros. Pictures, LuckyChap Entertainment, Kroll & Co. Entertainment and Clubhouse Productions DC Extended Universe
8 Wonder Woman 1984 December 25, 2020 (2020-12-25) Patty Jenkins Warner Bros. Pictures, Atlas Entertainment and The Stone Quarry
9 Zack Snyder's Justice League March 18, 2021 (2021-03-18) Zack Snyder Warner Bros. Pictures, Atlas Entertainment and The Stone Quarry HBO Max exclusive
10 The Suicide Squad August 5, 2021 (2021-08-05) James Gunn Atlas Entertainment and The Safran Company —
11 The Batman March 4, 2022 (2022-03-04) Matt Reeves Warner Bros. Pictures, 6th & Idaho and Dylan Clark Productions The Batman shared universe
12 Black Adam October 21, 2022 (2022-10-21) Jaume Collet-Serra New Line Cinema, Seven Bucks Productions and FlynnPictureCo.[31] DC Extended Universe
Upcoming
13 Shazam! Fury of the Gods March 17, 2023 (2023-03-17) David F. Sandberg New Line Cinema, The Safran Company, Seven Bucks Productions DC Extended Universe Post-production
14 The Flash June 23, 2023 (2023-06-23) Andy Muschietti Warner Bros. Pictures, The Disco Factory and Double Dream
15 Blue Beetle August 18, 2023 (2023-08-18) Angel Manuel Soto Atlas Entertainment, The Safran Company and S&K Pictures
16 Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom December 25, 2023 (2023-12-25) James Wan The Safran Company, Atomic Monster Productions
17 Joker: Folie à Deux October 4, 2024 (2024-10-04) Todd Phillips Joint Effort and Bron Creative Joker film series Pre-production
In development
Black Canary TBA TBA DC Extended Universe HBO Max exclusive[32][33][34]
Static Shock TBA TBA Milestone Media and Outlier Society Productions TBA —
Green Lantern Corps TBA TBA DC Extended Universe
Untitled third Wonder Woman film[35] TBA Patty Jenkins
Untitled Man of Steel sequel[36] TBA TBA
Untitled The Flash sequel[36] TBA TBA
Untitled Superman film[36] TBA TBA Bad Robot Productions TBA
Untitled The Batman sequel[37] TBA Matt Reeves 6th & Idaho and Dylan Clark Productions The Batman shared universe

Television series

Series Aired Showrunner Co-production companies Franchise Original network Notes
Peacemaker January 13, 2022 James Gunn The Safran Company, Troll Court Entertainment DC Extended Universe HBO Max Spin-off of The Suicide Squad
Season 2 onwards
Upcoming
The Penguin (working title) TBA Lauren LeFranc 6th & Idaho The Batman shared universe HBO Max Miniseries order[38][39]
Untitled Amanda Waller series TBA Christal Henry The Safran Company, Troll Court Entertainment DC Extended Universe In development[40][41]
Untitled Arkham series TBA Antonio Campos 6th & Idaho The Batman shared universe
Untitled Val-Zod series TBA Darnell Metayer
Josh Peters 		Outlier Society TBA

Animation

Films

# Title U.S.
release date 		Director(s) Co-production companies Franchise Release format Notes
Upcoming
1 Justice League x RWBY: Super Heroes and Huntsmen, Part One 2023 Kerry Shawcross
Eddy Rivas 		Warner Bros. Animation
Rooster Teeth 		RWBY Direct-to-video In development[42][43]
2 Batman: The Doom That Came to Gotham TBA Warner Bros. Animation TBA
3 Legion of Super-Heroes Jeff Wamester DC Rebirth
4 Justice League: Warworld TBA
TBA Metal Men TBA TBA Warner Animation Group TBA Theatrical

Television series

Series Aired Showrunner(s) Co-production companies Franchise Original network Notes
Teen Titans Go! April 23, 2013 Michael Jelenic
Aaron Horvath 		Warner Bros. Animation Teen Titans GO! Cartoon Network Season 8 onwards
Harley Quinn November 29, 2019 Justin Halpern
Patrick Schumacker
Dean Lorey 		Warner Bros. Animation
Yes, Norman Productions
Ehsugadee Productions 		Harley Quinn HBO Max Season 4 onwards
Batwheels September 17, 2022 Michael G. Stern Warner Bros. Animation
Bang Zoom Ltd. 		TBA Cartoon Network
HBO Max 		Episode 9 onwards
Upcoming
Batman: Caped Crusader 2023 Bruce Timm
J.J. Abrams
Matt Reeves 		Warner Bros. Animation
Bad Robot Productions
6th & Idaho 		TBA TBA In development[44][45][46][47][48]
My Adventures with Superman TBA Warner Bros. Animation TBA Cartoon Network
HBO Max
Untitled The Night Begins to Shine series TBA TBA Warner Bros. Animation Teen Titans Go! Cartoon Network
Noonan's TBA Justin Halpern
Patrick Schumacker
Dean Lorey 		Warner Bros. Animation
Yes, Norman Productions
Ehsugadee Productions 		Harley Quinn HBO Max
Legion of Superheroes TBA TBA Warner Bros. Animation TBA

Notes

  1. ^ Whedon was hired by Warner Bros. Pictures during post-production to significantly alter the film. He is credited as co-screenwriter, while his directing was credited theatrically as executive producer. Despite this, Snyder retains sole credit as director of the film.
  2. ^ Access Entertainment[28]
  3. ^ Also known as Harley Quinn: Birds of Prey or the full title of Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn).[29][30]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Batman v. Superman' Fallout: Warner". hollywoodreporter. Retrieved May 17, 2016.
  2. ^ "DC Intrigue: 'Lego' Franchise Producer Dan Lin In Pole Position For Top Spot". deadline. Retrieved August 25, 2022.
  3. ^ a b c "Divisional Executives - Walter Hamada". Warner Bros. Retrieved April 19, 2022.
  4. ^ a b c d e Couch, Aaron; Kit, Borys (2022-10-25). "DC Shocker: James Gunn, Peter Safran to Lead Film, TV and Animation Division (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2022-10-25.
  5. ^ a b D'Alessandro, Anthony (2022-10-25). "How James Gunn & Peter Safran Landed Top Spots At DC Studios". Deadline. Retrieved 2022-11-01.
  6. ^ "DC Films Head Walter Hamada Exits Warner Bros. Discovery".
  7. ^ a b D'Alessandro, Anthony; Fleming, Mike (June 2022). "Toby Emmerich Out As Warner Bros Motion Picture Group Chairman; Michael De Luca & Pam Abdy To Lead Studio". Deadline. Retrieved October 10, 2022.
  8. ^ a b Kit, Borys (May 17, 2016). "'Batman v. Superman' Fallout: Warner Bros. Shakes Up Executive Roles". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved November 30, 2017.
  9. ^ a b Lincoln, Ross A. (May 18, 2016). "Warner Bros Responding To Fans & Critics With DC Films Shakeup". Deadline. Penske Business Media, LLC. Retrieved November 30, 2017.
  10. ^ Zeitchik, Steven (November 20, 2017). "Why 'Justice League' failed — and where DC goes from here". The Washington Post.
  11. ^ Mendelson, Scott (November 22, 2017). "Box Office: As 'Justice League' Crosses $320M, Should DC Films Be Saved?". Forbes. Retrieved December 1, 2017.
  12. ^ Bacon, Thomas (December 10, 2017). "Warner Bros. Doesn't Adjust Film Slate in Response to Justice League". Screen Rant. Retrieved January 14, 2018.
  13. ^ a b Lang, Brent. "Warner Bros. Taps Walter Hamada to Oversee DC Films Production (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
  14. ^ Lang, Brent; Donnelly, Matt (April 14, 2022). "Warner Bros. Discovery Exploring Overhaul of DC Entertainment (Exclusive)". Variety. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
  15. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony & Mike Fleming Jr. (June 1, 2022). "Toby Emmerich Out As Warner Bros Motion Picture Group Chairman; Michael De Luca & Pam Abdy To Lead Studio". Deadline. Retrieved June 1, 2022.
  16. ^ Kim Masters (July 28, 2022). "Alan Horn on Rejoining Warner Bros.: "I See Myself as a Consigliere"". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 26, 2022.
  17. ^ Masters, Kim (August 5, 2022). "DC Films' Walter Hamada Was on the Brink of Exit After 'Batgirl' Cancellation". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved August 5, 2022.
  18. ^ Kit, Borys (2022-08-25). "DC's Kevin Feige Found? Producer Dan Lin in Talks to Take Control of Film, TV for Superhero Arm". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2022-08-25.
  19. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony; Fleming, Mike Jr. (2022-08-25). "DC Intrigue: 'Lego' Franchise Producer Dan Lin In Pole Position For Top Spot – The Dish". Deadline. Retrieved 2022-08-27.
  20. ^ Lang, Adam B. Vary,Brent; Vary, Adam B.; Lang, Brent (2022-09-06). "DC Chief Job Still Open After Dan Lin, Warner Bros. Discovery End Negotiations". Variety. Retrieved 2022-09-12.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  21. ^ Murphy, J. Kim; Moreau, Jordan (2022-10-12). "Dwayne Johnson on His Future Advising DC After 'Black Adam' and Why He's 'Optimistic' About a Potential Marvel Crossover". Variety. Retrieved 2022-10-25.
  22. ^ Kit, Borys (October 17, 2022). "DC at a Turning Point: James Gunn Pitches Secret Movie, Dwayne Johnson Flexes His Superman Power (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on October 17, 2022. Retrieved October 17, 2022.
  23. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (October 19, 2022). "DC Films Boss Walter Hamada Has Departed Studio As Warner Bros Discovery Finalizes Exit: The Dish". Deadline.com. Archived from the original on October 19, 2022. Retrieved October 19, 2022.
  24. ^ McMillan, Graeme (2022-11-01). "DC Has a Chance to Save Superman. Here's What It Needs to Do". Wired. Retrieved 2022-11-01.
  25. ^ Matthew Belloni (October 30, 2022). "Five Awkward Questions for the New DC Studios". Puck. Retrieved November 1, 2022.
  26. ^ a b Hughes, Mark (December 7, 2017). "Jon Berg Moves Out Of Warner Leadership As Studio Reacts To DCEU Failures". Forbes. Retrieved December 16, 2017.
  27. ^ "Geoff Johns Exiting as DC Entertainment President and Chief Creative Officer". 11 June 2018.
  28. ^ "Justice League's Brett Ratner Credit Replaced for Home Video". Screen Rant. 13 February 2018.
  29. ^ Anderton, Ethan (February 10, 2020). "'Birds of Prey' Gets a New Title in Theaters After Underperforming at the Box Office". /Film. Retrieved February 10, 2020.
  30. ^ Aquilina, Tyler (February 10, 2020). "Birds of Prey gets new title after disappointing opening at box office". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved February 10, 2020.
  31. ^ Schmidt, JK (November 14, 2019). "Black Adam Release Date Revealed by Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson". Comicbook.com. Retrieved November 14, 2019.
  32. ^ Mancuso, Vinnie (March 11, 2021). "'Batgirl' and 'Zatanna' Projects Confirmed for HBO Max by Warner Bros". Collider. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  33. ^ Nebens, Richard (March 11, 2021). "DC Confirms Batgirl & Zatanna On-Screen Titles, Reveals Two Dozen Superhero Logos". The Direct. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  34. ^ Kit, Borys (August 20, 2021). "'Birds of Prey' Spinoff In the Works With Misha Green, Jurnee Smollett". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2021-08-21.
  35. ^ Rubin, Rebbeca (December 27, 2020). "'Wonder Woman 3' in the Works With Director Patty Jenkins". Variety. Archived from the original on December 28, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2020.
  36. ^ a b c Kit, Borys (October 17, 2022). "DC at a Turning Point: James Gunn Pitches Secret Movie, Dwayne Johnson Flexes His Superman Power". TheHollywoodReporter.
  37. ^ Rubin, Rebecca (2022-04-26). "Robert Pattinson Returning for 'The Batman' Sequel". Variety. Retrieved 2022-04-27.
  38. ^ White, Peter (2021-09-13). "'The Batman' Spinoff Series Centered On The Penguin In The Works At HBO Max". Deadline. Retrieved 2021-10-19.
  39. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (2022-03-09). "HBO Max Orders 'The Penguin' Limited Series As 'The Batman' Clocks $301 Million+ At Global Box Office". Deadline. Retrieved 2022-03-28.
  40. ^ Sharf, Zack (2022-03-07). "Matt Reeves: 'The Batman' TV Series Changed From Gotham PD to Arkham After Creative Differences". Variety. Retrieved 2022-03-08.
  41. ^ Otterson, Joe (May 3, 2022). "Viola Davis in Talks to Star as Amanda Waller in 'Peacemaker' Spinoff Series at HBO Max". Variety. Archived from the original on May 3, 2022. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
  42. ^ Johnson, Jim (July 22, 2022). "SDCC: Green Lantern: Beware My Power World Premiere, Panel and Upcoming Features". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
  43. ^ Kit, Borys (December 3, 2021). "'Little Mermaid,' 'Aladdin' Filmmakers Tackling DC Comic 'Metal Men' for Warner Animation (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. PMRC.
  44. ^ Milligan, Mercedes (May 19, 2021). "'Batman: Caped Crusader' Swoops to HBO Max & Cartoon Network". Animation Magazine. Retrieved May 28, 2021.
  45. ^ Milligan, Mercedes (May 19, 2021). "'My Adventures with Superman' Soars with HBO Max & Cartoon Network". Animation Magazine. Retrieved May 28, 2021.
  46. ^ Erao, Math. "Teen Titans Go! The Night Begins to Shine Lands Standalone Series". axs.com. Retrieved February 21, 2021.
  47. ^ Romanchick, Shane (March 14, 2022). "'Harley Quinn' Spinoff Series Starring Kite Man in Development at HBO Max". Collider. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
  48. ^ "DC Comics Developing Legion of Super-Heroes TV Show for HBO Max". DC. Retrieved December 21, 2021.
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