Peter Safran stands at the forefront of an exciting era for DC Studios, stepping into the role of Co-Chairman and Co-Chief Executive Officer. In this pivotal position, he partners with the acclaimed James Gunn to architect a dynamic and interconnected DC Universe (DCU) across film, television, animation, and gaming. This unified vision, under the Warner Bros. Discovery banner, promises to revitalize and expand the beloved DC franchise for audiences worldwide. Launching in 2025, the first chapter of this ambitious DCU will commence with the HBO Max series Creature Commandos, building anticipation for the cinematic arrival of James Gunn’s Superman on July 11th.
Prior to helming DC Studios, Peter Safran established himself as a prolific and highly respected producer through The Safran Company. This venture generated over $3 billion globally at the box office, largely in collaboration with Warner Bros. Pictures and New Line Cinema. A cornerstone of his success is the creation of the blockbuster The Conjuring Universe. Beginning with James Wan’s The Conjuring in 2013, this horror film series has become the highest-grossing horror franchise of all time, amassing nearly $2 billion worldwide. The latest installment, The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (2021), alone garnered $180 million globally, solidifying the franchise’s enduring appeal.
The fruitful partnership between Peter Safran and James Wan extended beyond the horror genre with the 2018 cinematic triumph Aquaman, starring Jason Momoa. This film achieved a record-breaking $1.14 billion worldwide, prompting Safran and Wan to reunite for the upcoming sequel, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (2023), continuing the underwater hero’s saga.
Peter Safran also collaborated again with David F. Sandberg, known for directing Annabelle: Creation within The Conjuring Universe, to bring Shazam! to the DC screen in 2019. This film became a critical and commercial success, earning over $364 million globally, and spawned a sequel, Shazam! Fury of the Gods (2023). Further expanding The Conjuring Universe, Safran is also involved in the upcoming thriller The Nun 2.
Before taking on the leadership of DC Studios, Peter Safran and James Gunn’s collaboration extended to television with the hit HBO Max series Peacemaker, a spin-off from Gunn’s 2021 DC film The Suicide Squad. Beyond the superhero realm, Safran also produced the Amazon romantic comedy I Want You Back (2022), directed by Jason Orley and starring Charlie Day and Jenny Slate, showcasing his versatility across genres.
Born and raised in the United Kingdom, Peter Safran pursued higher education in the United States, graduating from Princeton University and later earning his Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from New York University School of Law. After a brief period as a corporate attorney, his passion for filmmaking led him to Los Angeles, where he began his career at UTA. He honed his industry skills as a talent manager at Gold-Miller Co. and subsequently at Brillstein-Grey, rising to President before establishing The Safran Company in 2006. This trajectory underscores Peter Safran’s dedication and strategic vision, now poised to shape the future of the DC Universe.
