Warner Bros. film chiefs De Luca and Abdy to exit after Paramount close
Michael De Luca and Pamela Abdy will not remain as Warner Bros. film chiefs after Paramount Skydance’s merger with Warner Bros. Discovery closes, Variety reported, citing multiple sources. The $110 billion deal is expected to finalize around Oct. 6. Paramount film heads Dana Goldberg and Josh Greenstein are set to oversee the combined movie operation. Paramount and Warner Bros. did not immediately comment.
AI-assisted · US Brief desk · Sources listed below
What happened
Sources told Variety the pair will not be part of David Ellison’s management team after the roughly $110 billion deal, expected to finalize around Oct. 6. Paramount film co-chairs Dana Goldberg and Josh Greenstein are expected to oversee the combined movie studios, which the deal calls for releasing about 30 films a year. It was unclear whether De Luca and Abdy would stay for a transition. Paramount and Warner Bros. did not immediately comment.
Why it matters
The leadership handoff lands as Ellison brands the combined company Skydance and integrates film, TV, and streaming. Upcoming titles such as "Clayface," "The Cat in the Hat," and "Dune: Part Three" are slated for the combined studio, Variety said.
What’s next
The planned Oct. 6 close, any formal studio statements on the film leadership structure, and how the combined slate is staffed.
More context
Warner Bros. film chiefs Michael De Luca and Pamela Abdy will leave when Paramount Skydance’s merger with Warner Bros. Discovery closes, Variety reported, citing multiple sources.
Track record: WBD chief David Zaslav renewed their contracts about a year ago after hits including "Sinners," "A Minecraft Movie," and "Weapons," Variety noted. Warner Bros. tied a studio Oscar record with 11 wins, including best picture for "One Battle After Another." Not every bet worked: Variety cited a large theatrical loss on "The Bride!" Deadline also flagged "Digger" as Warners’ final release as a standalone studio.
3 listed sources
- Variety (Matt Donnelly, Angelique Jackson), Oct 1, 2026: Michael De Luca, Pamela Abdy to Exit Warner Bros. After Paramount Merger
- Deadline (Anthony D'Alessandro), Oct 2, 2026: box-office update noting De Luca and Abdy contracts rejected by new Paramount ownership
- Sourcing note: Exit reporting from Variety (multiple sources); studios had not commented at publication. Industry business story only — no personal gossip.
References listed by US Brief; a source count is not a verification score.
Editorial sourcing notes
Variety (Matt Donnelly, Angelique Jackson), Oct 1, 2026 (11:15pm PT): De Luca and Abdy not part of Ellison management team after close; $110B pact eyed Oct 6; Goldberg and Greenstein to oversee both studios (~30 films/year per deal); unclear if transition period; Zaslav renewed their contracts ~1 year earlier after Sinners/Minecraft/Weapons; 11 Oscars / One Battle After Another; The Bride! theatrical loss cited; Digger as final standalone WB release; Clayface, Cat in the Hat, Dune Part Three under combined studio; Puck first reported; studios no comment. Deadline Oct 2 box-office piece also notes contracts rejected by new owner. Complements ent-skydance-corporate-name and ent-paramount-wbd-merger-timing.
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