James Gunn and Peter Safran’s DC Universe roadmap is expected to continue largely as planned despite the proposed $111 billion merger between Warner Bros. Discovery and Paramount Skydance, according to a new behind-the-scenes update. Questions had emerged about leadership changes affecting the franchise’s future following the merger announcement, but the latest report suggests no significant disruption to current DC plans.

In fact, the CEO of Paramount Skydance, at the center of the blockbuster merger appears to have already seen what DC Studios has in store.

David Ellison has already met with James Gunn and Peter Safran

During the blue carpet premiere of Supergirl, executive producer Lars P. Winther revealed that Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison has already visited Trilith Studios in Atlanta, where Man of Tomorrow is currently filming. According to Winther, Ellison got a firsthand look at DC Studios’ future plans and has been actively discussing the franchise with the team. More importantly, he indicated that the executive is supportive of the direction taken by James Gunn and Peter Safran.

“He’s pretty open to what we’re doing. We do have a slate and a lot of it — obviously, Clayface is already coming out. We already have the Lanterns TV show. On those things, the train’s left the station. So we’re good.” Winther told The Hollywood Reporter.

Before the certainty that Winther now speaks of to The Hollywood Reporter, Netflix appeared to be well on its way to securing Warner Bros. Discovery’s studios in a deal reportedly worth $82.7 billion, including debt. But just when it looked like the streaming giant had a clear path to the finish line, Paramount swooped in with a richer offer for the entire company, ultimately pushing the valuation to a staggering $111 billion. Once the dust settles, the newly expanded media powerhouse will inherit some of Hollywood’s most coveted franchises, including DC, Harry Potter, Game of Thrones, Dune, and HBO’s vast catalog. 

And if that is not enough to excite DC fans, Winther also dropped a major update about Supergirl’s future. 

Supergirl may play a bigger role in the DCU than expected

At first glance, Supergirl might look like a standalone adventure for Milly Alcock’s Kara Zor-El. However, if Winther’s comments are any indication, the character’s journey is only beginning. The producer confirmed that Kara will return in 2027’s Man of Tomorrow and hinted that DC Studios already knows exactly where she’ll land after that. In other words, while audiences are only days away from meeting this version of Supergirl, the studio appears to be thinking several chapters ahead.

According to Winther, DC Studios is actively building its new universe around the Superman family while also making room for characters who have not always been front and center. Inspired by the acclaimed Woman of Tomorrow comic, the team viewed Kara as the perfect bridge between Superman’s Earth-based corner of the franchise and the larger cosmic playground waiting beyond it. As a result, Supergirl, which flies into theaters on Friday, is no longer just another standalone superhero outing. Instead, Kara is quietly emerging as one of the key building blocks of James Gunn and Peter Safran’s evolving DC Universe.

Thus, with David Ellison seemingly backing DC Studios’ current leadership and several major projects already in motion, the future of the DC Universe appears far more stable than many feared.

What are your thoughts on David Ellison’s support for James Gunn and Peter Safran’s DC vision? Let us know in the comments.