The-Greatest-Showman

Renly has undoubtedly become one of the industry's top actors. The 20-million-dollar club, along with involvement in major projects like Marvel and DC, has cemented his position in Hollywood. His every move can influence the decisions of the six major studios. A perfect example of his growing power is the "Blitzkrieg" project.

However, it's important to note that Renly's influence is still not enough to control the entire industry. His involvement in the projects Jurassic Park and Degree and Passion is limited to Universal Pictures, and his relationship with the studio is mostly confined to those few high-profile projects.

That said, the situation at hand is exceptional, making this case unlike the others.

To understand it fully, we need to go back two years and focus on the competition between Warner Bros. and Disney, both of which are reshaping the industry and driving significant changes.

Over the past two years, Disney has significantly challenged Warner Bros.'s dominance in the North American market. The rivalry between Marvel and DC has grown clearer, a battle that affects not only the future of these superhero franchises but also the fate of multi-billion-dollar empires. Both Warner and Disney are keenly aware of the stakes involved, and their CEOs' decisions play a vital role.

Disney's core business remains Disneyland and its surrounding sales, while Warner Bros. has been planning to build its own theme park and expand its online presence. Both studios recognize the importance of comic book adaptations in their strategies.

This context elevates the role of the CEO, as demonstrated by the key leadership changes at both companies.

In 2005, Robert Iger became Disney's CEO and led the company back to glory with a series of key decisions. On the other hand, Barry Mayer became CEO of Warner Bros. in 2000, overseeing the studio's dominance in the first decade of the 21st century.

But now, Barry Mayer's decisions appear outdated, particularly in regards to the DC projects and the integration of digital technologies. Though Warner Bros. still has a strong position with iconic franchises like Harry Potter and Batman, it has been losing ground to Disney's aggressive expansion.

From last year to this year, Barry Mayer sought to involve Renly more deeply in Warner Bros.'s future, hoping he could play a role similar to that of Christopher Nolan. However, despite numerous discussions, Mayer couldn't secure approval from the company's shareholders. As a result, Warner Bros. began searching for a new CEO, leading to internal turmoil and a power struggle.

The contenders for the CEO position—Kevin Tsujihara (head of digital home entertainment), Jeff Robinov (head of film), and Bruce Rosenbaum (head of television)—competed fiercely for the role. Despite the turmoil, Time Warner's president, Jeff Bickers, took a hands-off approach, believing that the strongest leader would emerge victorious from the internal chaos.

After this year's Oscars, Bickers announced that Kevin Tsujihara would be the new CEO of Warner Bros., with Barry Mayer retiring. This news was met with skepticism within Hollywood, as many doubted Tsujihara's ability to lead the company. However, Time Warner's leadership believed his experience in digital and home entertainment would position him to lead the company into the future.

Unlike Disney, which plays by traditional rules, Time Warner believes in creating its own game plan and moving forward with a new vision. While the industry focused on the DC vs. Marvel rivalry, Tsujihara and his team were already devising a larger strategy.

This shift in direction became more apparent after Tsujihara took office, as power within Warner Bros. began to shift. Robinoff, previously a major player in the company, expressed frustration about being sidelined and losing control over projects. He worried that internal infighting was affecting the company's future.

As predicted, Robinoff's influence waned, and in May, he was forced to leave Warner Bros. He soon found opportunities elsewhere, with offers from other major studios, including 20th Century Fox, Sony Columbia, Universal, and Disney.

Robinoff's departure marked a significant loss for Warner Bros., as he had been instrumental in championing several major films and working closely with top directors. His relationship with directors like Ben Affleck and Christopher Nolan proved invaluable, as he had the foresight to support projects others might have overlooked.

Robinoff's loss was seen as a mistake by many in the industry, with some believing Warner Bros. had made a grave misstep. In 2010, when Ben Affleck struggled to find support for The Town, it was Robinoff who helped secure funding for the film. Similarly, in 2012, Robinoff championed Argo when the film seemed to have little hope of success.

Robinoff's unique vision and boldness, coupled with his deep relationships in Hollywood, made him an invaluable asset to Warner Bros. But with the new leadership under Tsujihara, Warner Bros. was moving in a different direction—one that emphasized digital and home entertainment over traditional filmmaking.

This shift also saw the end of Warner Bros.'s eight-year partnership with Legendary Pictures, a major player in the film industry, further signaling the changing landscape within the studio.

As Robinoff's departure unfolded, it was clear that Warner Bros. was at a crossroads. The company had to decide whether to continue along its current path or embrace a new era under Tsujihara's leadership, for better or for worse.