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Disney production chief is latest casualty

By
Peter Lauria
Published Jan. 13, 2010, 5:00 a.m. ET

If it were a TV show, it might be called “Extreme Makeover” — or “Lost.”

Walt Disney Studios boss Rich Ross yesterday continued his systematic dismantling of the Mouse House’s film studio’s executive ranks, dismissing Oren Aviv as president of production. That now leaves the storied studio without a head of production or marketing, two of the most important positions in the movie business.

Aviv’s departure comes on top of the resignation in November of Mark Zoradi, Disney Studios’ marketing chief, and marks a turnabout in Aviv’s standing with Ross, who just a few months ago heaped praise on the exec for both his “creative expertise” and “filmmaker relationships.”

Disney CEO Bob Iger in September shook up the company’s movie division when he ousted longtime studio chairman Dick Cook and replaced him with Ross in a bid to revive the studio’s fortunes after a string of disappointing releases.

Two months later, Ross began a restructuring that saw the departure of Zoradi as well as Daniel Battsek, head of Disney’s Miramax unit, and 20 other staffers in marketing, distribution and operations.

Aviv survived that initial round of changes, and even got an expanded role. But many industry observers felt it was only a matter of time before he was shown the door too — given his allegiance to Cook, who sources said openly clashed with Iger over marketing campaigns and budgets.

Aviv was responsible for live-action production, playing a key role in developing the “Pirates of the Caribbean” franchise and “National Treasure.”

In a press release announcing his departure, he said he had high hopes for upcoming Disney films “Alice in Wonderland,” “Prince of Persia” and “Tron.”

“I have loved every day that I have been at the studio and feel incredibly privileged to have been part of a team that enriched my life for 20 years,” Aviv said in a statement.

Disney has yet to replace Zoradi, and would only say yesterday that it will name Aviv’s successor “at an appropriate time.”

After a strong run of blockbusters like “The Pirates of the Caribbean” movies, the studio has fallen on hard times in recent years, losing $25 million in just the past two quarters.

Indeed, it is arguably the most troubled division within the Magic Kingdom, producing last year only one picture, “Up,” that can genuinely be considered a hit.

A lot is at stake for Iger. At the end of last year, Disney closed on its $4 billion purchase of comic-book company Marvel Entertainment, and is counting on the dozens of its characters to help the company launch a slew of new film franchises. [email protected]