Warner Bros. film heads Mike De Luca and Pam Abdy exit as Paramount executives take over

Warner Bros. announced that co-heads of its film division, Mike De Luca and Pam Abdy, will depart the company following the pending merger with Paramount Pictures. Sources said the transition was confirmed after Paramount executives Josh Greenstein and Dana Goldberg were slated to take charge of both Warner film units.

De Luca and Abdy, who have led Warner’s film operations since 2022, learned of the change shortly before a Puck report disclosed the restructuring. Their tenure featured a mix of commercial successes, such as the box-office hit "Sinners," and less profitable releases, including the Tom Cruise vehicle "Digger."

Industry observers note that the incoming Paramount team is expected to focus on franchise-driven, mid-budget projects, contrasting with De Luca and Abdy’s reputation for backing auteur-oriented, higher-budget films. One source said, "> The new leadership will likely prioritize a more conventional slate rather than the risk-taking approach favored by De Luca and Abdy."

The executives are reportedly exploring next steps, with speculation that they could join Netflix, where De Luca has cultivated a relationship with chief content officer Ted Sarandos. Analysts caution that Netflix’s audience preferences may not align with the auteur-centric model championed at Warner.

The merger agreement requires the combined studio to release a minimum of 30 films per year for the first two years, with penalties for shortfalls. Other Warner labels, including DC Studios under James Gunn and Peter Safran, and New Line’s Richard Brener, are expected to continue operating under the new structure.

The departure marks the end of a period in which De Luca and Abdy were praised for supporting high-profile directors while also facing criticism for costly projects that underperformed financially.