James Gunn's future at DC Studios is uncertain, with sources suggesting his and Peter Safran's contracts will not be renewed. The Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery deal, which would see Paramount take control of DC, is under scrutiny from twelve states suing to block it. The deal's closure is expected to lead to significant changes within the studio, with Mike De Luca and Pam Abdy set to take control of the theatrical division, while HBO's Casey Bloys oversees streaming. This shift could see the end of the 'unified universe' and a move towards a project-by-project approach, with individual characters and team-up events allowed to develop organically. The article also highlights the potential return of Zack Snyder, Ben Affleck, and Christopher McQuarrie to the studio, with a focus on real, non-goofy projects like the SnyderVerse and Dark Knight. The current regime, including Gunn and Safran, is facing criticism from filmmakers and is expected to step down once the deal closes, with Gunn's reputation as a 'class clown' and his lack of a real plan contributing to his falling out with creatives. The article concludes with a discussion of the Supergirl debacle and the ongoing legal battles surrounding the Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery deal, with the author expressing skepticism about the deal's future.
