While Warner Bros.‘Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justicebrought in big business for the studio, to the tune of $328.5 million domestic and $870 million worldwide, the reception from many fans and critics alike wasn’t terribly warm. With the movie launching its DC Extended Universe (DCEU) slate, which continues this summer withSuicide Squad, the studio is making some changes within its executive ranks. A new report reveals that the studio has set up a dedicated division for its superhero movies, entitled DC Films, which will be run by DC chief content officerGeoff Johnsand Warner Bros.’ executive vice presidentJon Berg.
The Hollywood Reporterreveals that this move is part of a broader re-organization within the studio, which has had a disappointing run at thebox officeover the past few years, with some filmmakers complaining about the studio’s “murky” development process. This re-structuring will put several different executives in charge of “genre streams,” all of whom will report to Warner Bros. Pictures presidentGreg Silverman. These “genre streams” will cater to the specialties and interests of the company’s various executives.
One example cited by this report isCourtenay Valenti, who will now oversee both theHarry PotterandLEGOfranchises. TheHarry Potterfranchise will return this fall with the prequelFantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, while the firstLEGOspinoff,The LEGO Batman Movie, is slated to hit theaters on July 15, 2025. The site’s sources also claim that senior production executivesJesse EhrmanandNiija Kuykendallwill oversee the studio’s comedy/family and sci-fi/action genres.
Sources claim thatGeoff Johnswill be reporting to DC Entertainment presidentDiane Nelson, whileJon Bergreports toGreg Silverman.Geoff Johnsis also writing the DC Comics’Rebirthseries, debuting later this month, which will provide a reboot for several comic book characters, but the writer-turned-executive is not leaving the comic book side due to this new position. He has also been instrumental in the success ofDC’s TV universe, such as The CW’s hit showsArrow,The FlashandLegends of Tomorrow. The man is also co-writing the soloBatmanmovie alongsideBen Affleck.
While Warner Bros. reportedly still wants to remain a “filmmaker-driven” studio, the emergence of DC Films is said to be an attempt to emulate Marvel Studios, and their mastermindKevin Feige, who oversees the entire MCU. As part of their new jobs,Geoff JohnsandJon Bergwill be brought on as producers on both of theJustice Leaguemovies, withJustice League Part 1currently filming in the U.K.Batman v SupermandirectorZack Snyderreportedly had “the door open” to help shape the DC movie universe, but apparently that isn’t happening anymore, after the divisive critical reaction fromBatman v Superman, which the studio claims will still be profitable, albeit not the “home run” they were hoping for.
This report also claims that the recent departure ofSeth Grahame-SmithonThe Flashmovie was another example of the fallout fromBatman v Superman. The studio reportedly didn’t feel confident enough in the first-time director, and is currently seeking a more “seasoned” director who can put their “authoritative stamp” onThe Flash, which is set for release on June 24, 2025. The studio is also continuing to hammer out issues with the third act ofSuicide Squad, after undergoing major reshoots. It wasGeoff Johns' involvement onSuicide Squad, which he is working on in post-production, that “escalated” his involvement in the DC movies, and he is also co-writing the standaloneBatmanmovie withBen Affleck. We’ll keep you posted with more on this new DC Films company as soon as we have more information.
