Kathleen Kennedy. WWE. Warner Bros.
Kathleen Kennedy is leaving this year, maybe in weeks: Lucasfilm’s head looks to be charting her course for retirement. With Clone Wars creator Dave Filoni finally putting on the captain’s hat. Full breakdown here: https://theindustry.co/p/kathleen-kennedy-exits
Netflix has expanded its WWE partnership, snatching up the rights from Peacock, becoming the U.S. home of WWE’s legacy library and pre-September 2025 PLEs, while Peacock retains SmackDown and select specials, and ESPN controls future live events.
After a sensational year for Warner Bros., the motion picture group has announced Erik Ellner to lead business affairs, taking the role over from industry veteran Steve Spira. Ellner has been a key member of the MGM legal team since 2023, helping the studio navigate its numerous leadership and company changes.
Universal Music Group has hired James Steven to be their new EVP and COO. Steven is coming from Warner Music Group, where he held the same position for almost a decade. Steven will handle all internal and external communications for the company.
Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson will team up with documentary production company Citizen Jones on Gang Wars, a true-crime series probing notorious gang rivalries. They are currently hoping for a series order.
Mainstay Entertainment (Before I Go) has promoted longtime execs Derek Van Pelt and Ray Moheet to co-CEOs. They will continue their management and producing responsibilities while trying to grow the company primarily through new unscripted series and comedy specials.
Netflix Animation’s feature crew, DreamWorks Animation’s nationwide remote unit, and NBCU’s Ted team are all newly unionizing under the Animation Guild (IATSE Local 839)—three distinct, previously non-union pockets now folding in.