What Does the DC Studios Shakeup Mean for Lanterns Season 2 and Other DC TV Shows?

DC Studios is getting another makeover, and this time, the changes are happening behind the scenes. James Gunn and Peter Safran are stepping down as co-heads of the studio, with former Marvel executive Jeremy Latcham taking over on December 1. While much of the conversation has centered on the future of DC's movies, there's another question worth asking: What happens to its television shows?

After all, Gunn and Safran weren't just responsible for bringing Superman back to the big screen. They also helped establish a television lineup that includes Peacemaker, Creature Commandos, and HBO's Lanterns. And with several shows awaiting renewal decisions or still in development, the timing of this leadership change is particularly interesting. For fans hoping to see more of their favorite DC characters on television, there's plenty to unpack.

Lanterns Season 2 Faces an Uncertain Future

Of all the DC television properties potentially affected by the shakeup, Lanterns might be the most interesting to watch. The HBO drama, starring Aaron Pierre as John Stewart and Kyle Chandler as Hal Jordan, premiered in August 2026 and completed its eight-episode first season in October. The series earned strong reviews and helped bring the Green Lantern characters back into the spotlight, but that success hasn't resulted in an official Season 2 renewal.

Before the leadership announcement, Safran had already explained that another season would depend on whether the creative team could develop a story worthy of continuing the series. A writers' room has been working on ideas for a potential second season, but HBO has not formally ordered additional episodes.

Now there's another complication. The executives who helped shepherd Lanterns through development are preparing to leave their leadership positions, and the next decision could fall to someone with a different creative vision. Co-showrunner Chris Mundy has also acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding the transition. Speaking to The Playlist, Mundy indicated that the situation remains unpredictable following Skydance's acquisition of Warner Bros. and the subsequent changes at DC Studios.

That doesn't mean Lanterns is canceled or that Latcham intends to abandon the series. It does mean the show could face another round of creative scrutiny before a second season gets the green light. There is one encouraging development for fans of John Stewart. Pierre's character is expected to continue his journey in Man of Tomorrow, the upcoming Superman sequel. Even if Lanterns doesn't return, the character's place in the larger DC Universe isn't necessarily finished.

What Happens to Peacemaker Without James Gunn?

If there's one television series closely associated with Gunn, it's Peacemaker. The John Cena-led superhero comedy has been one of the most recognizable parts of his DC tenure, thanks to its outrageous humor, violent action, and surprisingly emotional storytelling. But the show's future was already uncertain before the leadership announcement.

Following the second season in 2025, Gunn indicated that there were no immediate plans for Season 3. Instead, elements of the story were expected to continue through other DC projects. That approach made sense when Gunn was overseeing the direction of the connected universe. With Latcham taking control, however, it's fair to wonder whether those plans will remain intact.

Gunn isn't leaving DC entirely. He and Safran will continue working on selected projects, including Man of Tomorrow. Still, continuing Peacemaker without Gunn's direct creative leadership would be a significant shift for a series so closely tied to his writing and directing. For now, a third season has not been announced, and there's no indication that the leadership change has resulted in a cancellation.

Creature Commandos and the Future of DC Animation

DC's animated television projects also deserve attention, particularly Creature Commandos, which helped launch Gunn and Safran's connected DC Universe. The animated series brought together a team of unconventional characters and established connections to the larger franchise. With another season previously ordered, the series has had a clearer path forward than some of DC's other television projects.

However, Latcham's responsibilities will include the studio's animation slate, meaning the longer-term direction of Creature Commandos and other animated properties could eventually be shaped by his leadership. There's also Harley Quinn and Bat-Fam, which occupy different corners of DC's animated television universe. Their futures will depend on their respective creative and distribution decisions, rather than simply whether Gunn remains in charge. The important distinction is that DC animation isn't one single franchise. A change at the top doesn't automatically mean every animated series will be rebooted or canceled.

The People v. Gorilla Grodd Is Still Moving Forward

There's at least one upcoming DC television project with a more established production status. The People v. Gorilla Grodd, an eight-episode HBO Max series starring Skyler Gisondo as Jimmy Olsen and Jimmy Tatro as Gorilla Grodd, has already completed filming and is expected to premiere in 2027.

Gunn and Safran remain attached as executive producers, and the leadership announcement did not include any changes to the show's release plans. That makes it a different situation from Lanterns, which is waiting for a renewal decision, or projects that remain in earlier stages of development.

While a completed season doesn't guarantee what happens afterward, there's currently no announced reason to believe the leadership transition will prevent The People v. Gorilla Grodd from reaching audiences.

Could the DC Shakeup Affect Other Shows in Development?

Then there are the projects that have spent years being discussed without necessarily making it to production. Booster Gold is among the DC television concepts whose future remains unclear. With a new executive preparing to review the studio's overall creative direction, projects still in development could be particularly vulnerable to changes in priorities.

There's also the lingering question of whether The Penguin will ever return for another season. The critically acclaimed Batman spinoff was developed as a limited series, and a second season has never been officially announced. However, The Penguin belongs to Matt Reeves' separate Batman universe rather than Gunn's main DCU continuity. That distinction matters when considering how much the leadership change could affect its future. For now, DC Studios has not announced a sweeping cancellation of its television projects, nor has Latcham outlined a replacement television slate.

What Does the Future Hold for DC Television?

The biggest question isn't whether DC will continue making television shows. It's what those shows will look like under new leadership. Latcham brings extensive experience from Marvel Studios, where he worked on projects including Iron Man, The Avengers, and Guardians of the Galaxy. His appointment suggests that Skydance still sees significant value in building connected superhero franchises across multiple platforms.

Whether that means preserving Gunn and Safran's existing television plans or introducing a different approach remains to be seen. For Lanterns, the immediate concern is Season 2. The show has already established its characters, earned critical attention, and begun exploring another installment. Starting over would mean leaving that work behind, but continuing the series still requires an official green light.

And for Peacemaker, Creature Commandos, and the rest of DC's television lineup, fans may have to wait until Latcham settles into his new role before the picture becomes clearer. One thing is certain: DC Studios has a new boss coming, and the television side of the superhero universe deserves just as much attention as whatever happens next on the big screen.