Following the sex scandal involving actress Charlotte Kirk, Warner Bros. CEO Kevin Tsujihara has stepped down and is no longer a part of the company, which is effective immediately.
“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.,” WarnerMedia CEO John Stankey said in a statement. “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.”
The sex scandal involving Tsujihara and Kirk came to light less than two weeks ago where it was alleged Tsujihara used his position of power to help get Kirk acting gigs. However, Charlotte Kirk has made it clear the relationship was consensual and there was no impropriety. The scandal also involves billionaire James Packer and Brett Ratner, who has been involved with issues of his own regarding claims of sexual assault.
According to reports, Kevin Tsujihara worked out his exit from the company with WarnerMedia CEO John Stankey. An interim leadership group will be named tomorrow to take over from Tsujihara that may include Warner Bros. Motion Pictures Group Chairman Toby Emmerich, Warner Bros. Television Group President and CCO Peter Roth, and a female executive. The interim group will handle the day-to-day operations while a replacement is found for Tsujihara.
Kevin Tsujihara became CEO of WB back in 2014 following Jeff Robinov. Under Tsujihara, the Fantastic Beasts film franchise was be developed, the new DC universe app was launched, and recent DCEU successes included Wonder Woman and Aquaman.
