James Gunn and Peter Safran named to lead DC Studios for Warner Bros.
In October, DC Entertainment appointed DC Comics’ Chief Creative Officer Geoff Johns as the Chairman of the Studio and co-chairman of the company’s Executive Committee, replacing Diane Nelson (chairman of DC Comics). John will step down as chairman in January 2010. At present, DC Entertainment’s President, Jon Berg, serves as chairman. DC Entertainment President & CEO, Diane Nelson (left) speaks with Jon Berg (right) of DC Entertainment. John Sousa | The Washington Post | Getty Images DC Comics’ President, Jon Berg, and Editor-in-Chief, Jim Lee, attend the Comic-Con International in San Diego, Calif., in July. The industry-wide event in San Diego, Calif. is considered the biggest gathering of comic book fans in the world. Matt Baron | Getty Images
After DC Entertainment founder Alan Grant and the late Bill Finger, who founded the company in 1939, announced their retirement to the press, DC Comics found itself in a period of transition, which has now been formalized with Geoff Johns as Chairman of the Studio, and Jim Lee as Editor-in-Chief.
The DC Comics chairman, Geoff Johns, said in a statement issued to the press that the company is “fortunate to have a leader who shares our vision, values, and principles.”
“I believe Jim is a great editorial force in our industry, and I look forward to working with him during a period of profound change at DC Comics,” Johns added. John will step down from his chairman role in January 2010 to take the title of creative director. To fill his seat, a search is underway for a creative new leader for the company.
John is the latest in a string of high-profile board members and board nominees who have stepped down over the past 18 months for reasons other than ill health. The most recent to depart was Joe Ques