Geoff Johns steps down as DC executive for writing-producing deal

DC Entertainment president and chief creative officer Geoff Johns is stepping down from his post to enter into an exclusive writer-producer deal with Warner Bros. and DC, first reported by The Hollywood Reporter.

Current DC publisher Jim Lee will take over Johns’ position as the chief creative officer. Lee will continue his role as publisher as well with Dan DiDio.

Johns, who had held the position of DC Entertainment president since 2016 and COO since 2010, will launch Mad Ghost Productions, a new banner that will focus on his work on films, television, and comic books. He will have access to the current DC properties as well as new creations. “I took on a role at DCE because I love the characters and this universe more than anything. But, I want to spend my days writing and on set. I’m thrilled to get back to a more hands-on creative role. It’s a dream job on dream projects, reaching even deeper into DC’s vast pantheon of characters,” said Johns in a press statement.

DC Entertainment seems to be going through a shakeup. Last week, Johns’ former boss, Diane Nelson, DC Entertainment’s president, left the company. Walter Hamada was recently installed as president of DC-based films at the studio by pictures group chairman Toby Emmerich in January.

Johns is known for his work on DC Comics books and launching multiple successful The CW shows such as The Flash, Supergirl, Black Lightning, and many others. In his new position, Johns will focus on the screenplay for Green Lantern Corps, based on the Green Lantern heroes. Johns is currently writing and producing Wonder Woman 2 and has a co-writing and executive producer credit on this year’s Aquaman.

On the TV side, Johns co-developed, executive producing, and writing for the new DC Universe digital service, Titans. He is also working on the Titans spin-off Doom Patrol.