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By Lisa Richwine and Dawn Chmielewski LOS ANGELES, Jan 15 (Reuters) – Kathleen Kennedy will step down from her role as president of "Star Wars" movie producer Lucasfilm this week and become a full-time producer, Walt Disney said on Thursday. Disney has named Dave Filoni, a protégé of "Star Wars" creator George Lucas and the co-creator of "Star Wars" streaming TV series "The Mandalorian," president and chief creative officer of Lucasfilm. He will work alongside co-president Lynwen Brennan, who runs the studio's business operations. Filoni, 51, will now steer one of the highest-grossing movie franchises in history as well as live-action and animated TV shows.  The 72-year-old Kennedy, who has run Lucasfilm since Disney bought it in 2012, oversaw three blockbuster sequels to the original "Star Wars" trilogy and the successful spinoff "Rogue One." "It has been a true privilege to spend more than a decade working alongside the extraordinary talent at Lucasfilm," Kennedy said in a statement. The 2018 film "Solo," which introduced a new actor as the smuggler made famous by Harrison Ford, flopped in theaters.  Disney put the "Star Wars" movies on hiatus in 2019 to focus on live-action TV series, including "The Mandalorian" starring Pedro Pascal and the popular character Baby Yoda.  Disney scrapped planned "Star Wars" films from directors Patty Jenkins and Rian Johnson as Kennedy worked to reset the film strategy.  Filoni, meanwhile, oversaw many popular and acclaimed TV series including "The Mandalorian" and "Ahsoka." Both Kennedy and Filoni worked with Lucas, the creator of the original "Star Wars" film series that debuted in 1977. The franchise, about a group of rebels in a galaxy far, far away, has brought in more than $10.3 billion at global box office receipts, according to Comscore. Lucas hand-picked Kennedy as his successor to lead Lucasfilm. The five films she oversaw brought in a combined $5.9 billion. The most successful, 2015's "Star Wars: The Force Awakens," surpassed $2 billion in worldwide ticket sales.  Lucasfilm expanded into producing live-action streaming TV series under Kennedy, including Filoni's “The Mandalorian,” which debuted with the launch of the Disney+ streaming service in 2019. Other series included "Ahsoka" and "Andor."  The company also added "Star Wars"-themed lands at Walt Disney World in Florida and at Disneyland in California. In 2005, Lucas hired Filoni to help build a "Star Wars" animation studio. Filoni, often spotted at Hollywood premieres and fan events wearing a cowboy hat, helped create the animated TV series "The Clone Wars." "The Mandalorian" will head to the big screen in May in a film co-written by Filoni called "The Mandalorian and Grogu." The movie "Star Wars: Starfighter," featuring Ryan Gosling, is scheduled to reach cinemas in May 2027. Kennedy will continue to work as a producer of those films. Daisy Ridley, star of the sequel trilogy that began in 2015, also has said she is returning to a new "Star Wars" project. (Reporting by Lisa Richwine and Dawn Chmielewski in Los Angeles; Editing by Lisa Shumaker)

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)

LOS ANGELES, Jan 15 (Reuters) – Kathleen Kennedy will retire from her role as president of "Star Wars" movie producer Lucasfilm this week, Walt Disney said on Thursday. Disney has named Dave Filoni, a protégé of "Star Wars" creator George Lucas and the co-creator of "Star Wars" streaming TV series "The Mandalorian," president and chief creative officer of Lucasfilm. He will work alongside co-president Lynwen Brennan, who runs the studio's business operations. Filoni, 51, will now steer one of the highest-grossing movie franchises in history as well as live-action and animated TV shows.  The 72-year-old Kennedy, who has run Lucasfilm since Disney bought it in 2012, oversaw three blockbuster sequels to the original "Star Wars" trilogy and the successful spinoff "Rogue One." But 2018 film "Solo," which introduced a new actor as the smuggler made famous by Harrison Ford, flopped in theaters.  Disney put the "Star Wars" movies on hiatus in 2019 to focus on live-action TV series, including "The Mandalorian" starring Pedro Pascal and the popular character Baby Yoda.  Disney scrapped planned "Star Wars" films from directors Patty Jenkins and Rian Johnson as Kennedy worked to reset the film strategy.  Filoni, meanwhile, oversaw many popular and acclaimed TV series including "The Mandalorian" and "Ahsoka." Both Kennedy and Filoni worked with Lucas, the creator of the original "Star Wars" film series that debuted in 1977. The franchise, about a group of rebels in a galaxy far, far away, has brought in more than $10.3 billion at global box office receipts, according to Comscore. Lucas hand-picked Kennedy as his successor to lead Lucasfilm. The five films she oversaw brought in a combined $5.9 billion. The most successful, 2015's "Star Wars: The Force Awakens," surpassed $2 billion in worldwide ticket sales.  Lucasfilm expanded into producing live-action streaming TV series under Kennedy, including Filoni's “The Mandalorian,” which debuted with the launch of the Disney+ streaming service in 2019. Other series included "Ahsoka" and "Andor."  The company also added "Star Wars"-themed lands at Walt Disney World in Florida and at Disneyland in California. In 2005, Lucas hired Filoni to help build a "Star Wars" animation studio. Filoni, often spotted at Hollywood premieres and fan events wearing a cowboy hat, helped create the animated TV series "The Clone Wars." "The Mandalorian" will head to the big screen in May in a film co-written by Filoni called "The Mandalorian and Grogu." The movie "Star Wars: Starfighter," featuring Ryan Gosling, is scheduled to reach cinemas in May 2027. Kennedy will continue to work as a producer of those films. Daisy Ridley, star of the sequel trilogy that began in 2015, also has said she is returning to a new "Star Wars" project. (Reporting by Lisa Richwine and Dawn Chmielewski in Los Angeles; Editing by Lisa Shumaker)

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)

(Corrects paragraph 2 to say that Netflix has the exclusive streaming rights to Sony films for the first 18 months, after which they go to Disney) Jan 15 (Reuters) – Netflix and Sony Pictures Entertainment have reached a new agreement that would bring films such as "Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse" to the streaming giant's customers worldwide after they play in cinemas, the companies said on Thursday. Under the multi-year agreement, Netflix will become the exclusive streaming destination of Sony Pictures' films following their theatrical runs and video-on-demand releases for the first 18 months, after which they will go to Disney.  The arrangement will roll out gradually starting later this year as rights in individual territories open up, with full availability worldwide expected in early 2029. Other early Sony Pictures titles that will stream on Netflix under this new deal include Nintendo's live-action "The Legend of Zelda," "The Nightingale," starring Dakota and Elle Fanning, and Academy Award-winner Sam Mendes' four films about The Beatles.  The deal gives Netflix a steady flow of studio films for the global audience as it leans more on licensed content. The company currently has similar rights to Sony Pictures' films in select regions such as the U.S., Germany and across Southeast Asia.  For Sony, the arrangement ensures a home for its theatrical release slate at a time when studios are rethinking long-term distribution strategies as streaming reshapes consumers' movie-watching habits.  The announcement also comes as Netflix moves to buy Warner Bros Discovery's studio and streaming assets in a $72  billion deal. Sony's catalogue includes films such as "Uncharted," "Anyone But You," "Venom: The Last Dance," and "It Ends With Us." The companies did not disclose the financial terms of the agreement.  (Reporting by Anhata Rooprai in Bengaluru and Dawn Chmielewski in Los Angeles; Editing by Alan Barona)

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)

Jan 15 (Reuters) – Netflix and Sony Pictures Entertainment have reached a new agreement that would bring films such as "Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse" to the streaming giant's customers worldwide after they play in cinemas, the companies said on Thursday. Under the multi-year agreement, Netflix will become the exclusive streaming destination of Sony Pictures' films following their theatrical runs and video-on-demand releases.  The arrangement will roll out gradually starting later this year as rights in individual territories open up, with full availability worldwide expected in early 2029. Other early Sony Pictures titles that will stream on Netflix under this new deal include Nintendo's live-action "The Legend of Zelda," "The Nightingale," starring Dakota and Elle Fanning, and Academy Award-winner Sam Mendes' four films about The Beatles.  The deal gives Netflix a steady flow of studio films for the global audience as it leans more on licensed content. The company currently has similar rights to Sony Pictures' films in select regions such as the U.S., Germany and across Southeast Asia.  For Sony, the arrangement ensures a home for its theatrical release slate at a time when studios are rethinking long-term distribution strategies as streaming reshapes consumers' movie-watching habits.  The announcement also comes as Netflix moves to buy Warner Bros Discovery's studio and streaming assets in a $72  billion deal. Sony's catalogue includes films such as "Uncharted," "Anyone But You," "Venom: The Last Dance," and "It Ends With Us." The companies did not disclose the financial terms of the agreement.  (Reporting by Anhata Rooprai in Bengaluru and Dawn Chmielewski in Los Angeles; Editing by Alan Barona)

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)

Jan 15 (Reuters) – Netflix and Sony Pictures Entertainment have reached a new agreement that would bring films such as "Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse" to the streaming giant's customers worldwide after they play in cinemas, the companies said on Thursday. Under the multi-year agreement, Netflix will become the exclusive streaming destination of Sony Pictures' films following their theatrical runs and video-on-demand releases.  The arrangement will roll out gradually starting later this year as rights in individual territories open up, with full availability worldwide expected in early 2029. Other early Sony Pictures titles that will stream on Netflix under this new deal include Nintendo's live-action "The Legend of Zelda," "The Nightingale," starring Dakota and Elle Fanning, and Academy Award-winner Sam Mendes' four films about The Beatles.  The deal gives Netflix a steady flow of studio films for the global audience as it leans more on licensed content. The company currently has similar rights to Sony Pictures' films in select regions such as the U.S., Germany and across Southeast Asia.  For Sony, the arrangement ensures a home for its theatrical release slate at a time when studios are rethinking long-term distribution strategies as streaming reshapes consumers' movie-watching habits.  The announcement also comes as Netflix moves to buy Warner Bros Discovery's studio and streaming assets in a $72  billion deal. Sony's catalogue includes films such as "Uncharted," "Anyone But You," "Venom: The Last Dance," and "It Ends With Us." The companies did not disclose the financial terms of the agreement.  (Reporting by Anhata Rooprai in Bengaluru and Dawn Chmielewski in Los Angeles; Editing by Alan Barona)

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)

Jan 15 (Reuters) – Netflix and Sony Pictures Entertainment have reached a new agreement that would bring films such as "Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse" to the streaming giant's customers worldwide after they play in cinemas, the companies said on Thursday. Under the multi-year agreement, Netflix will become the exclusive streaming destination of Sony Pictures' films following their theatrical runs and video-on-demand releases.  The arrangement will roll out gradually starting later this year as rights in individual territories open up, with full availability worldwide expected in early 2029. Other early Sony Pictures titles that will stream on Netflix under this new deal include Nintendo's live-action "The Legend of Zelda," "The Nightingale," starring Dakota and Elle Fanning, and Academy Award-winner Sam Mendes' four films about The Beatles.  The deal gives Netflix a steady flow of studio films for the global audience as it leans more on licensed content. The company currently has similar rights to Sony Pictures' films in select regions such as the U.S., Germany and across Southeast Asia.  For Sony, the arrangement ensures a home for its theatrical release slate at a time when studios are rethinking long-term distribution strategies as streaming reshapes consumers' movie-watching habits.  The announcement also comes as Netflix moves to buy Warner Bros Discovery's studio and streaming assets in a $72  billion deal. Sony's catalogue includes films such as "Uncharted," "Anyone But You," "Venom: The Last Dance," and "It Ends With Us." The companies did not disclose the financial terms of the agreement.  (Reporting by Anhata Rooprai in Bengaluru and Dawn Chmielewski in Los Angeles; Editing by Alan Barona)

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)

Jan 15 (Reuters) – Netflix and Sony Pictures Entertainment have reached a new agreement that would bring films such as "Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse" to the streaming giant's customers worldwide after they play in cinemas, the companies said on Thursday. Under the multi-year agreement, Netflix will become the exclusive streaming destination of Sony Pictures' films following their theatrical runs and video-on-demand releases.  The arrangement will roll out gradually starting later this year as rights in individual territories open up, with full availability worldwide expected in early 2029. Other early Sony Pictures titles that will stream on Netflix under this new deal include Nintendo's live-action "The Legend of Zelda," "The Nightingale," starring Dakota and Elle Fanning, and Academy Award-winner Sam Mendes' four films about The Beatles.  The deal gives Netflix a steady flow of studio films for the global audience as it leans more on licensed content. The company currently has similar rights to Sony Pictures' films in select regions such as the U.S., Germany and across Southeast Asia.  For Sony, the arrangement ensures a home for its theatrical release slate at a time when studios are rethinking long-term distribution strategies as streaming reshapes consumers' movie-watching habits.  The announcement also comes as Netflix moves to buy Warner Bros Discovery's studio and streaming assets in a $72  billion deal. Sony's catalogue includes films such as "Uncharted," "Anyone But You," "Venom: The Last Dance," and "It Ends With Us." The companies did not disclose the financial terms of the agreement.  (Reporting by Anhata Rooprai in Bengaluru and Dawn Chmielewski in Los Angeles; Editing by Alan Barona)

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)

Jan 15 (Reuters) – Netflix and Sony Pictures Entertainment have reached a new agreement that would bring films such as "Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse" to the streaming giant's customers worldwide after they play in cinemas, the companies said on Thursday. Under the multi-year agreement, Netflix will become the exclusive streaming destination of Sony Pictures' films following their theatrical runs and video-on-demand releases.  The arrangement will roll out gradually starting later this year as rights in individual territories open up, with full availability worldwide expected in early 2029. Other early Sony Pictures titles that will stream on Netflix under this new deal include Nintendo's live-action "The Legend of Zelda," "The Nightingale," starring Dakota and Elle Fanning, and Academy Award-winner Sam Mendes' four films about The Beatles.  The deal gives Netflix a steady flow of studio films for the global audience as it leans more on licensed content. The company currently has similar rights to Sony Pictures' films in select regions such as the U.S., Germany and across Southeast Asia.  For Sony, the arrangement ensures a home for its theatrical release slate at a time when studios are rethinking long-term distribution strategies as streaming reshapes consumers' movie-watching habits.  The announcement also comes as Netflix moves to buy Warner Bros Discovery's studio and streaming assets in a $72  billion deal. Sony's catalogue includes films such as "Uncharted," "Anyone But You," "Venom: The Last Dance," and "It Ends With Us." The companies did not disclose the financial terms of the agreement.  (Reporting by Anhata Rooprai in Bengaluru and Dawn Chmielewski in Los Angeles; Editing by Alan Barona)

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)

By Jonathan Stempel and Dawn Chmielewski Jan 15 (Reuters) – A Delaware judge on Thursday rejected Paramount Skydance's bid to speed up its lawsuit demanding that Warner Bros Discovery better explain its decision that Netflix's proposed $82.7 billion takeover was better than Paramount's own $108.7 billion hostile bid. Vice Chancellor Morgan Zurn of the Delaware Chancery Court said Paramount did not suffer "cognizable irreparable harm" from Warner Bros' alleged inadequate disclosures about its cable TV business, which is not part of the Netflix bid. She also said Paramount had other means to obtain financial information it sought, though an unsuccessful Paramount tender offer for Warner Bros "opens the door wider" for the Netflix transaction. Paramount said in a statement it will keep pressing Warner Bros for better disclosures. "Warner Bros Discovery shareholders should ask why their board is working so hard to hide this information," Paramount said. In a statement, Warner Bros called the lawsuit "yet another unserious attempt to distract and the judge saw right through it." Netflix did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The lawsuit was part of David Ellison-led Paramount's effort to ratchet up pressure on Warner Bros, which operates film and television studios, owns HBO and has an extensive content library that includes Harry Potter and DC Comics. Paramount wanted the court to fast-track the case so Warner Bros shareholders could decide whether to accept its $30 per share all-cash tender offer, rather than Netflix's lower cash-and-stock offer for its studio and streaming business, before it expired on January 21. Warner Bros called Paramount's request premature and said it plans to disclose the financials when it solicits shareholder approval for the Netflix takeover. No vote has been scheduled, and Paramount is expected to extend its tender offer. Warner Bros rejected Paramount's takeover proposal on January 7. "This movie is still being shot, and it makes no sense for the court to shut down the set and make decisions based on incomplete facts," Warner Bros' lawyer Ryan McLeod said during the hearing. PARAMOUNT SEEKING BOARD SEATS Paramount said on Monday it planned to nominate directors to Warner Bros' board, to push that body to negotiate. It also proposed changing Warner Bros' bylaws to require shareholder approval to break off the cable TV business, including channels such as CNN and Food Network. Paramount's own businesses include CBS, MTV and Nickelodeon, as well as Paramount Pictures. At Thursday's hearing, Paramount's lawyer Michael Barlow accused Warner Bros' board of pretending the tender offer didn't exist, so the board could proceed with the Netflix takeover. "It's the kind of inequitable thumb on the scale that Delaware law rejects," he said. Warner Bros countered that it didn't believe it was withholding material information, and the urgency was Paramount's own creation. It said Paramount's motion should be deferred until after the proxy for the "premium, value-maximizing" Netflix merger is filed. "The auction ended last year, and Paramount lost," McLeod said. McLeod also said Paramount would likely have to extend its tender offer "well into next year," because signing a merger agreement and winning regulatory clearances could take 12 to 18 months. (Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York and Dawn Chmielewski in Los Angeles; Editing by Sharon Singleton and Nick Zieminski)

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)