Peter Safran | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 22 November 1965 |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 1997–present |
| Employer | Warner Bros. Discovery |
| Title | Co-chairman and co-CEO of DC Studios |
| Spouse | Natalia Safran |
| Children | 1 |
Peter Safran (born 22 November 1965) is a British-American film producer and manager. [1] He currently serves as the co-chairperson and co-CEO of DC Studios alongside James Gunn.
Peter Safran is the son of Ordell and Henry Safran, of Ashkenazi Jewish descent. [2] After growing up in the UK, Safran graduated from Princeton University. He earned his J.D. degree at the New York University School of Law. [3] He worked as a corporate attorney in New York City, before becoming an assistant at UTA. [4]
He became a manager at Gold-Miller Co and stayed there until 1998. [5] He then was a manager at Brillstein-Grey for five years, before he was named president of Brillstein-Grey Management in 2003. As president, he was made responsible for day-to-day activities of the department, which had over 200 clients, including Brad Pitt, Jennifer Aniston, Adam Sandler, Nicolas Cage and Courteney Cox. [6] He left Brillstein-Grey in 2006, to launch The Safran Company, and took his entire client list with him. [7] As manager, he represented Sean Combs, Adam Shankman, David Hyde Pierce, Jennifer Lopez, and Brooke Shields. [8]
During the last few years, Safran has been able to build upon The Conjuring Universe [9] and produce films such as Aquaman , Shazam! , The Suicide Squad , Shazam! Fury of the Gods and Peacemaker television series, and others under his banner through his first-look deal with Warner Bros. [10]
In October 2022, Safran and James Gunn were named co-chairs and co-CEOs of DC Studios, overseeing film, television and animation projects. While Gunn will handle the creative aspects, Safran will handle the business side of the division. The two assumed their positions on 1 November 2022. [11] [12] [13] [14] Safran and Gunn are involved in casting characters for the wider DCU, and Safran produces all films in the franchise.
| Year | Title | Director |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | The Miracle of Phil | Andrew Douglas |
| Doggie Heaven | James Wan | |
| Blue Like You | Lucky McKee | |
| Meat Dog: What’s fer Dinner | David Slade | |
| Fairy Tale Police | Adam Green | |
| Sparky & Mikaela | James Gunn | |
| Humanzee! | ||
| 2009 | Post Apocalyptic Pizza | Peter Cornwell |
Warner Bros.
| Year | Title | Director |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Buried | Rodrigo Cortés |
| 2013 | The Conjuring | James Wan |
| 2014 | Annabelle | John R. Leonetti |
| 2016 | The Conjuring 2 | James Wan |
| Wolves at the Door | John R. Leonetti | |
| 2017 | Annabelle: Creation | David F. Sandberg |
| 2018 | The Nun | Corin Hardy |
| Aquaman | James Wan | |
| 2019 | Shazam! | David F. Sandberg |
| Annabelle Comes Home | Gary Dauberman | |
| 2021 | The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It | Michael Chaves |
| The Suicide Squad | James Gunn | |
| 2023 | Shazam! Fury of the Gods | David F. Sandberg |
| The Nun II | Michael Chaves | |
| Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom | James Wan | |
| 2025 | Superman | James Gunn |
Other studios
| Year | Title | Director | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | RocketMan | Stuart Gillard | Co-producer |
| 2004 | Jiminy Glick in Lalawood | Vadim Jean | |
| 2008 | Meet the Spartans | Jason Friedberg Aaron Seltzer | |
| Over Her Dead Body | Jeff Lowell | ||
| Disaster Movie | Jason Friedberg Aaron Seltzer | ||
| 2009 | New in Town | Jonas Elmer | |
| 2010 | Vampires Suck | Jason Friedberg Aaron Seltzer | |
| 2011 | Flypaper | Rob Minkoff | |
| Elephant White | Prachya Pinkaew | ||
| 2012 | ATM | David Brooks | |
| True Love | Enrico Clerico Nasino | ||
| 2013 | Vehicle 19 | Mukunda Michael Dewil | |
| Hours | Eric Heisserer | ||
| Mindscape | Jorge Dorado | ||
| The Starving Games | Jason Friedberg Aaron Seltzer | ||
| Best Night Ever | Jason Friedberg Aaron Seltzer | ||
| 2015 | The Atticus Institute | Chris Sparling | |
| Superfast! | Jason Friedberg Aaron Seltzer | ||
| Summer Camp | Alberto Marini | ||
| Martyrs | Kevin Goetz Michael Goetz | ||
| 2016 | The Choice | Ross Katz | |
| The Belko Experiment | Greg McLean | ||
| Mine | Fabio Guaglione | ||
| Within | Phil Claydon | ||
| The Worthy | Ali F. Mostafa | ||
| 2017 | The Crucifixion | Xavier Gens | |
| Flatliners | Niels Arden Oplev | ||
| 2022 | I Want You Back | Jason Orley | |
| TBA | Heads of State | Ilya Naishuller |
| Year | Title | Director | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Senseless | Penelope Spheeris | Co-executive producer |
| 2000 | Scary Movie | Keenen Ivory Wayans | |
| The Specials | Craig Mazin | Co-executive producer | |
| 2004 | My Baby's Daddy | Cheryl Dunye | |
| Connie and Carla | Michael Lembeck | ||
| 2005 | The Long Weekend | Pat Holden | |
| 2009 | My Life in Ruins | Donald Petrie | |
| 2015 | Dark Places | Gilles Paquet-Brenner | |
| 2019 | Valley of the Gods | Lech Majewski | |
| Year | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Are You Comfortable? | TV movie |
| 2006 | Heist | 4 episodes |
| 2008–09 | James Gunn's PG Porn | |
| 2022– | Peacemaker | |
| 2024 | Creature Commandos |
James Francis Gunn Jr. is an American filmmaker and studio executive. He began his career as a screenwriter in the mid-1990s, starting at Troma Entertainment with Tromeo and Juliet (1997). He then began working as a director, starting with the horror-comedy film Slither (2006), and moving to the superhero genre with Super (2010), Guardians of the Galaxy (2014), Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017), The Suicide Squad (2021), and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023). In 2022, Warner Bros. Discovery hired Gunn and Peter Safran to become co-chairmen and co-CEOs of DC Studios. Under DC Studios, Gunn will co-produce and executive produce every film and television series under the upcoming DC Universe (DCU) media franchise alongside Safran, which will act as a soft-reboot of the DC Extended Universe (DCEU). He will also continue to write and direct various projects set in the DCU, including the upcoming film Superman (2025).
Matt Reeves is an American filmmaker who first gained recognition for the WB drama series Felicity (1998–2002), which he co-created with J. J. Abrams. Reeves came to widespread attention for directing the hit monster film Cloverfield (2008). He also directed the vampire drama Let Me In (2010), and the critically acclaimed science fiction sequels Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014) and War for the Planet of the Apes (2017). He directed the superhero film The Batman (2022), which stars Robert Pattinson as the title character.
DC Comics's Superman franchise, based on the character of the same name created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster in June 1938, has seen the release of various films since its inception. The character debuted in cinemas in a series of animated shorts beginning in 1941, and then was the protagonist of two movie serials in 1948 and 1950. An independent studio, Lippert Pictures, released the first Superman feature film, Superman and the Mole Men, starring George Reeves, in 1951. In 1973, the film rights to the Superman character were purchased by Ilya Salkind, Alexander Salkind, and Pierre Spengler. After numerous scripts and several years in development, Richard Donner was hired as their director, and he shot two films, Superman (1978), and Superman II (1980), at the same time, both starring Christopher Reeve. Donner had already shot eighty percent of Superman II before it was decided to finish shooting the first film. The Salkinds fired Donner after Superman's release and commissioned Richard Lester as the director to finish Superman II. Lester returned to direct Superman III (1983). The Salkinds also produced the related spin-off Supergirl (1984). They then sold the rights to Cannon Films, which produced the poorly reviewed Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (1987). Ilya Salkind commissioned a fifth Superman script before Warner Bros. acquired the rights entirely in 1993.
DC Entertainment is an American entertainment company that was founded in September 2009 and is based in Burbank, California. The company is a subsidiary of Warner Bros. Discovery that manages its DC Comics units and characters in other units, as they work with other Warner Bros. units. It also delves into those units within their flagship the DC Extended Universe (DCEU). DC Comics was founded in 1934 when it was National Comic Publications.
Shazam! is a 2019 American superhero film based on the DC Comics character of the same name. Produced by New Line Cinema, DC Films, the Safran Company, and Seven Bucks Productions, and distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, it is the seventh installment in the DC Extended Universe (DCEU). It was directed by David F. Sandberg from a screenplay by Henry Gayden who co-wrote the story with Darren Lemke, and stars Zachary Levi, Mark Strong, Asher Angel, Jack Dylan Grazer, and Djimon Hounsou. The film follows teenager Billy Batson (Angel) as he is chosen by the ancient wizard Shazam (Hounsou) to be his new champion by saying the name "Shazam", allowing him to transform into an adult superhero (Levi) with various superpowers. Billy and his foster brother Freddy Freeman (Grazer) must discover Billy's new powers in order to stop the evil Dr. Thaddeus Sivana (Strong) and the Seven Deadly Sins.
DC Studios is an American film, television, and animation studio that is a division of Warner Bros., which is a subsidiary of Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD). It is dedicated to the production of films, series, and animations based on characters from DC Comics, among them is their flagship franchise, the DC Extended Universe (DCEU). James Gunn and Peter Safran assumed control of the company, on November 1, 2022. Previously, Walter Hamada was the president of DC Films from 2018 until his departure in October 2022.
The DC Extended Universe (DCEU) is an American media franchise and shared universe centered on a series of superhero films produced by DC Studios and distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. It is based on characters that appear in American comic books published by DC Comics. The DCEU also includes comic books, short films, novels, and video games. Like the original DC Universe in comic books, the DCEU is established by crossing over common plot elements, settings, cast, and characters.
The Suicide Squad is a 2021 American superhero film based on the DC Comics team Suicide Squad. Produced by DC Films, Atlas Entertainment, and the Safran Company, and distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, it is a standalone sequel to Suicide Squad (2016) and the 10th film in the DC Extended Universe (DCEU). The film was written and directed by James Gunn and stars an ensemble cast including Margot Robbie, Idris Elba, John Cena, Joel Kinnaman, Sylvester Stallone, Viola Davis, David Dastmalchian, Daniela Melchior, Michael Rooker, Jai Courtney, Peter Capaldi, Alice Braga, and Pete Davidson. In the film, several convicts join a task force known as the "Suicide Squad" in exchange for lighter sentences. They are sent to the South American island nation of Corto Maltese to destroy all traces of the giant alien starfish Starro the Conqueror before it falls into the local government's control.
The Conjuring Universe is an American horror franchise and shared universe centered on a series of supernatural horror films. The franchise is produced by New Line Cinema, Atomic Monster, and the Safran Company, and distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. The films present a dramatization of the supposed real-life adventures of Ed and Lorraine Warren, paranormal investigators and authors associated with prominent yet controversial cases of haunting. The main series follows their attempts to assist people who find themselves harassed by spirits, while the spin-off films focus on the origins of some of the entities the Warrens have encountered.
Walter Hamada is an American film executive and producer. He joined New Line Cinema in 2007, where he served as an executive producer on horror films such as The Conjuring (2013), Annabelle (2014), The Conjuring 2 (2016), Lights Out (2016), and It (2017). In January 2018, he was appointed the President at Warner Bros. Pictures for DC-based film production before departing from the company in October 2022. He was hired by Paramount Pictures to oversee their horror film franchises beginning in 2023.
Superman is an upcoming American superhero film based on DC Comics featuring the character of the same name. Produced by DC Studios and to be distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, it will be the first film in the DC Universe (DCU) and a reboot of the Superman film series. The film is written and directed by James Gunn and stars David Corenswet as Clark Kent / Superman, alongside Rachel Brosnahan, Isabela Merced, Edi Gathegi, Nathan Fillion, Anthony Carrigan, María Gabriela de Faría, Sara Sampaio, Skyler Gisondo, Nicholas Hoult, Terence Rosemore, Wendell Pierce, Pruitt Taylor Vince, and Neva Howell. In the film, Superman's journey to reconcile his alien heritage with his human family is explored.
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is a 2023 American superhero film based on DC Comics featuring the character Aquaman. Produced by DC Studios, Atomic Monster, the Safran Company, and Domain Entertainment, and distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, it is the sequel to Aquaman (2018), and the 15th and final film in the DC Extended Universe (DCEU). Directed by James Wan from a screenplay by David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick, the film stars Jason Momoa as Arthur Curry / Aquaman, who must work with his half-brother Orm to prevent Black Manta from killing his family and using the cursed Black Trident to overheat the world while searching for the lost seventh kingdom of the seas. Amber Heard, Randall Park, Dolph Lundgren, Temuera Morrison, Martin Short, and Nicole Kidman also star in supporting roles.
Joker: Folie à Deux is an upcoming American musical psychological thriller film directed by Todd Phillips from a screenplay co-written with Scott Silver. The sequel to Joker (2019), loosely based on DC Comics characters, Joaquin Phoenix reprises his role as the Joker, with Lady Gaga joining the cast as his love interest, Harley Quinn. Zazie Beetz also reprises her role from the previous film, while Brendan Gleeson, and Catherine Keener also joins the cast. It is produced by Warner Bros. Pictures, and DC Studios in association with Joint Effort.
Shazam! Fury of the Gods is a 2023 American superhero film based on the DC character Shazam. Produced by New Line Cinema, DC Studios, and the Safran Company, and distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, it is the sequel to Shazam! (2019) and the 12th installment in the DC Extended Universe (DCEU). Directed by David F. Sandberg and written by Henry Gayden and Chris Morgan, it stars Zachary Levi, Asher Angel, Jack Dylan Grazer, Rachel Zegler, Adam Brody, Ross Butler, D. J. Cotrona, Grace Caroline Currey, Meagan Good, Lucy Liu, Djimon Hounsou, and Helen Mirren. In the film, Billy Batson / Shazam and his foster siblings fight the Daughters of Atlas.
Blue Beetle is a 2023 American superhero film based on the DC Comics character Jaime Reyes / Blue Beetle. Produced by DC Studios and the Safran Company, and distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, it is the 14th film in the DC Extended Universe (DCEU). Directed by Ángel Manuel Soto and written by Gareth Dunnet-Alcocer, the film stars Xolo Maridueña as Reyes, a recent college graduate who is bestowed with an armor that grants him superpowers after being accidentally chosen by an ancient alien relic known as the Scarab. Adriana Barraza, Damián Alcázar, Raoul Max Trujillo, Susan Sarandon, and George Lopez also star in the film.
Peacemaker is an American superhero television series created by James Gunn for the streaming service HBO Max, based on the DC Comics character of the same name. The first season is the only DC Extended Universe (DCEU) television series and a spin-off from the 2021 film The Suicide Squad. Set after the events of the film, it further explores jingoistic mercenary Christopher Smith / Peacemaker. It was produced by the Safran Company and Troll Court Entertainment in association with Warner Bros. Television and with Gunn as showrunner. The second season is produced by DC Studios and set in the DC Universe (DCU), a "soft reboot" of the DCEU.
The DC Universe (DCU) is an upcoming American media franchise and shared universe based on characters from DC Comics publications. It was created by James Gunn and Peter Safran, co-chairmen and co-CEOs of DC Studios. The franchise is a soft reboot of the DC Extended Universe (DCEU), a previous franchise featuring DC characters. The DCU retains certain DCEU cast members while replacing others. In contrast with the previous state of DC Comics adaptations, the DCU features a united continuity and story across live-action films and television, animation, and video games. Concurrent DC adaptations that do not fit within this continuity are labeled "DC Elseworlds".
The DC Extended Universe (DCEU) media franchise has experienced a turbulent history since its inception in 2013, characterized by highly publicized clashes between studio executives and talent, constantly changing approaches to worldbuilding, and repeated changes in management. Warner Bros. Pictures originally announced plans for a shared universe of live-action films based on the DC Comics, starting with the release of Man of Steel (2013), with director Zack Snyder set to spearhead the franchise. Following the negative reception to Snyder's follow-up film Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016), Warner Bros. created DC Films, a new division led by Geoff Johns and Jon Berg tasked with overseeing development of the DCEU. DC Films attempted to correct the course of the franchise, culminating in the troubled production and disastrous release of the crossover film Justice League (2017), which significantly deviated from Snyder's original vision.
Creature Commandos is an upcoming American adult animated television series based on DC Comics featuring the eponymous team. Produced by DC Studios and Warner Bros. Animation, it will be the first television series in the DC Universe (DCU) and the first installment overall. It focuses on a black ops team of monsters assembled by Amanda Waller. All seven episodes were written by James Gunn.
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