To quote a Warner Bros. hit film from 2018, “Another one bites the dust…”
After the recent sexual misconduct controversy that swirled around WB’s CEO Kevin Tsujihara, it appears that the executive is joining the growing list of names of powerful Hollywood figures that have seen their careers take a massive hit in the wake of the #MeToo movement.
According to THR, Tsujihara is stepping down as WB CEO after it was revealed that he was involved in an intimate affair with an actress, and attempted to use his power and influence (as the head of one of the biggest studios on the planet) to land her some gigs. This resulted in the actress landing roles in 2016’s “How to Be Single” and 2018’s “Ocean’s 8.” Sure, on the scale of #MeToo accusations and fallout, Tsujihara’s situation isn’t nearly as despicable as someone like Harvey Weinstein or Bryan Singer, but is definitely problematic and distasteful, nonetheless.
“It is in the best interest of WarnerMedia, Warner Bros., our employees and our partners for Kevin to step down as Chairman and CEO of Warner Bros.,” said WarnerMedia CEO John Stankey.
He continued, “Kevin has contributed greatly to the studio’s success over the past 25 years and for that we thank him. Kevin acknowledges that his mistakes are inconsistent with the Company’s leadership expectations and could impact the Company’s ability to execute going forward.”
Tsujihara has been the head of WB since 2013, and in that time, he has been very successful in his position. He’s credited as one of the main driving forces behind WB’s recent string of superhero hit films, including “Wonder Woman” and “Aquaman.” He’s also named as one of the major folks who wooed J.K. Rowling to the studio to pen the recent ‘Fantastic Beasts’ films.
No replacement has been announced.
(Photo by John Salangsang/Invision for Producers Guild of America/AP Images)