This year’s edition of CinemaCon arrives amidst significant leadership turmoil within several major Hollywood studios. Many top executives may be taking the stage at the colossal Colosseum theater in Caesar’s Palace for what could be their final presentations in their current roles. Conversely, there are others whose return next year seems more than likely. Among them is veteran movie chief Tom Rothman, who will kick off the event on Monday night by presenting Sony Pictures’ upcoming film slate to thousands of theater owners gathered in Las Vegas.
All indications suggest that Rothman will continue as the chairman of Sony Entertainment Pictures’ Motion Picture Group for the foreseeable future, despite a formal announcement regarding his contract extension still pending, as reported by multiple sources to The Hollywood Reporter. Alongside Rothman, Josh Greenstein, co-president of Sony Motion Picture Group, will also be part of the presentation. However, this may be his last appearance in this capacity due to rampant speculation surrounding his potential move to Paramount if the ongoing Skydance-Paramount Global merger receives approval from federal regulators. Greenstein’s longstanding relationship with Skydance chief David Ellison and chief creative officer Dana Goldberg adds fuel to the speculation.
The atmosphere inside the Colosseum could shift dramatically on Tuesday afternoon when Warner Bros. executives Mike De Luca and Pam Abdy take the stage. They have recently faced harsh criticism following several high-profile box office failures. Reports from Bloomberg suggest that their superior, Warner Bros. Discovery chief David Zaslav, is actively seeking candidates to replace them. If Greenstein is considering leaving Sony, he would be an obvious choice for Zaslav's call sheet.
Sources indicate that Zaslav is pivoting towards a focus on major intellectual properties (IP) rather than the filmmaker-driven projects that De Luca and Abdy typically champion, such as Ryan Coogler’s Sinners and Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another. Nonetheless, allies of Abdy and De Luca assert that the duo are seasoned professionals who are resigned to their uncertain fate amid the evolving landscape of the industry.
Also on stage will be DC Studios co-heads Peter Safran and James Gunn, who will tease upcoming titles including a new Superman film, which Gunn directed and wrote. Safran is also a significant figure in the ongoing executive speculation, as sources hint at his desire to broaden his responsibilities at Warner Bros. beyond just DC. The release of Superman, scheduled for July 11, is poised to be a pivotal moment in Safran’s career.
In contrast, there is currently minimal executive drama at Universal Pictures, which will host its own presentation on Wednesday afternoon. Following Universal’s event, Amazon MGM Studios will hold its inaugural presentation in the Colosseum. Over the past few years, Donna Langley has solidified her influence, expanding her role from overseeing film to managing both film and TV, culminating in her recent appointment as chairman of NBCUniversal Entertainment and Studios.
The lead-up to CinemaCon witnessed a significant shake-up with the unexpected ousting of Jennifer Salke, head of Amazon MGM Studios. This decision was communicated via an internal email from Mike Hopkins, the head of Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios, who will not be appointing a direct replacement for Salke. Instead, power is shifting to Courtenay Valenti, head of film, and Vernon Sanders, head of TV, as the company makes ambitious strides into the theatrical space, particularly following its acquisition of the James Bond franchise.
Change is also on the horizon for Paramount, with Brian Robbins likely delivering his farewell address as co-CEO of Paramount Global and CEO of Paramount Pictures during Thursday’s presentation. Robbins is recognized for handling transitions with grace, successfully guiding the studio through uncertain times.
Finally, Disney will be the last major studio to present at CinemaCon on Thursday afternoon. Alan Bergman, chairman of Disney Studios, is set to take the stage, where despite setbacks like the live-action Snow White, he has much to celebrate. Disney has maintained the No. 1 market share for eight of the past nine years, with recent successes including Inside Out 2, Deadpool & Wolverine, and Mufasa: The Lion King.
Additionally, there are anticipations of a significant executive change at Lucasfilm by next year’s CinemaCon, as rumors swirl about Kathleen Kennedy potentially stepping down from her role after over a decade. With James Cameron and the upcoming Avatar installment Fire and Ash slated for release this December, Disney’s presence at CinemaCon promises to be a compelling close to this year’s event amidst the backdrop of executive upheaval.
