Following the disappointing box office numbers for large-scale live-action films like John Carter and Tron Legacy, former Disney executive Rich Ross decided to step down from his post, opening up a gap for the studio in the position of Chairman. Since Ross' resignation on April 20th, the industry has been wondering who Disney would turn to as man or woman that would help shape the studio's future. Now it would seem they have found their guy.
THR reports that Alan Horn has been selected by Disney to become the new studio Chairman. An official announcement about the has been sent out by Bob Iger, who is the CEO of the company, making the deal official. Horn is the former President & COO of Warner Bros. Entertainment, who oversaw incredibly successful franchises like the Harry Potter series, and its assumed that he was chosen because of his rich amount of experience (Ross did not have equal qualifications). Said Iger in the release,
"Alan not only has an incredible wealth of knowledge and experience in the business, he has a true appreciation of movie making as both an art and a business. He’s earned the respect of the industry for driving tremendous, sustained creative and financial success, and is also known and admired for his impeccable taste and integrity. He brings all of this to his new role leading our studio group, and I truly look forward to working with him."
During his time at WB, Horn oversaw multiple aspects of the company, including Warner Bros. Pictures Group, Warner Premiere (direct-to-platform production), Warner Bros. Theatrical Ventures (live stage) and Warner Home Video. In his 12 years of leadership Warners was the global box office leader seven times. He also previously worked at 20th Century Fox, Tandem Productions, and was a co-founder of Castle Rock Entertainment.
