More Evidence James Gunn Won’t Survive Warner Bros. Sale

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Based on our reporting and ongoing rumors, we now have stronger indications that James Gunn will leave his position at DC after the Warner Bros. Discovery sale is finalized.

Despite the potential sale of Warner Bros., Mike De Luca and Pam Abdy are continuing to lead the company with full momentum, while James Gunn seems to be taking a less central role.

The contrast says plenty about where real power sits during the Warner Bros. Discovery transition.

De Luca and Pam Abdy launch new company at WB

According to Deadline, the leaders of Warner Bros. films, De Luca and Pam Abdy, are starting a new division focused on modern movies. They’re still actively working on future projects and making long-term plans, even with Netflix planning to buy the studio.

Gunn has been visibly trying to save his position, reaching out to YouTubers and Bloomberg in a public attempt to address the situation.

As a huge DC fan, I’ve noticed some interesting timing choices lately. It seems like Warner Bros. Discovery is really trying to keep the hype going! Just two weeks after James Gunn announced the release date for his Superman film, Man of Tomorrow, De Luca slotted in a release date for the Minecraft movie. And then, HBO dropped a teaser for Lanterns only a day after Gunn unveiled the Supergirl trailer. It feels like they’re strategically spacing out these announcements to keep us talking!

De Luca And Pam Abdy Launch New Warner Bros. Film Label

This new label will focus on reaching younger audiences – those who grew up with digital technology, like Gen Z – through creative and focused marketing, and by producing films with smaller budgets. They plan to release just a few movies each year – between two and three – rather than a large number.

According to Deadline, this project began development before the planned separation of Warner Bros. Discovery and before Netflix showed interest in buying parts of the company, including HBO Max. This means the project will continue even after Warner Bros. Discovery is sold.

De Luca’s Stability vs. Gunn’s Uncertainty

The difference in treatment between De Luca and James Gunn is striking.

David Zaslav gave James Gunn and Peter Safran, the heads of DC Studios, a contract extension, but it’s only for six months. This short extension seems tied to the anticipated sale of Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD), indicating it’s a temporary measure rather than a strong endorsement of their leadership.

Unlike some others, De Luca and Abdy seem secure in their positions. Their upcoming projects are still moving forward as planned, and sources indicate their contracts will remain valid even after Warner Bros. Discovery is sold, regardless of who the new owner is.

James Gunn has been focused on public messaging about DC Studios, but Alan De Luca is concentrating on the practical side – building up the studio with new teams and planning future projects for Warner Bros.

Insiders: DC Likely Ends Up Under De Luca

After Warner Bros. Discovery completes its sale, DC Entertainment will probably be managed by De Luca, sources say.

James Gunn is working under pressure with tight deadlines and a lot of public questioning, but Mike De Luca is focused on setting up the future of Warner Bros. movies.

One leader is expanding with new projects and bringing on skilled professionals, while the other is struggling to stay current. James Gunn currently only has Man of Tomorrow in development—a project already planned—and the new Batman film for the DC Universe has been officially paused.

The difference says it all.

De Luca also had plans to bring back Snyder’s DCEU, which was axed when Gunn took over.

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2025-12-19 06:32