Longtime 20th Century Studios Chief executive, Emma Watts has resigned from her position after a two-decade stay with the studio.
Information surrounding her resignation indicates that Watts was unhappy about the new turn of events at the studio after the merge of Fox and Disney last year. With top executives of Fox leaving soon after the merge was made effective, Watts remained based on the assurance she received from Disney that her authority over creative works will be maintained.
The executive according to Variety, began to feel last fall that she was not being empowered to find and back new films that would be released under the Twentieth banner, and as a result her exit to find new opportunities elsewhere.
“I am writing to you today to share that, after much reflection, I’ve made the difficult decision to step away from Twentieth Century. Over the past many months, it has been my top priority to continue to foster great filmmaking while leading this team successfully through the integration period with Disney. After reaching this point, I approached [Walt Disney Studios co-chairmen] Alan [Horn] and Alan [Bergman], realizing that it was now time for me to pursue new opportunities,” Watts disclosed in statement sent to staff Thursday morning.
She holds on credit Hollywood blockbuster films such as; ‘Avatar’, ‘X-Men’, ‘Night at the Museum’, ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’, ‘The Martian’, ‘Deadpool’, ‘Logan’ and Steve Spielberg’s upcoming film ‘West Side Story’.
Owing much of his work glory to Watts, Spielberg shared a praise message in her favor, “Emma is a studio executive in title, but a filmmaker at heart. Her support and willingness to take risks is what this business has always thrived on. I can’t wait to see what Emma does next and I’ll work with her again on anything at any time.”
Since the merge of 20th Century and Disney, the latter has gone out to publicly and privately express its disappointment at the slate of films it inherited and seems to be less interested in investing in making the broad array of films, from adult dramas to comedies that Twentieth produced when it was owned by 21st Century Fox.
Disney has however wished Watts well in whatever she will be doing next, “Emma has made many wonderful contributions to Fox over the past two decades, shepherding a number of memorable films to the screen,” said Alan Horn, co-chairman and chief creative officer, of the Walt Disney Studios and Alan Bergman, co-chairman of the Walt Disney Studios. “We truly appreciate and thank her for her commitment and partnership in overseeing the transition in this past year and wish her the best.”
A new executive is yet-to-be-named to fill Watts’ position.
