Warner Bros. General Counsel John Rogovin Departs Following Discovery Merger

Amber Heard was almost dropped from "Aquaman 2" due to a lack of chemistry with co-star Jason Momoa, a Warner Bros. executive testified at Johnny Depp's defamation trial against his ex-wife.

Gene Maddaus Senior Media WriterThe president of DC Films testified Tuesday that the studio considered replacing Amber Heard for “Aquaman 2” out of concern that she lacked chemistry with star Jason Momoa.Heard was ultimately cast in the sequel, but her lawyers have argued that she nearly lost the job and could not renegotiate for more money due to the backlash over her domestic abuse allegations against Johnny Depp. Heard is seeking $100 million in a defamation counterclaim against Depp.Walter Hamada, the head of Warner Bros.’ DC unit, was the first witness called by Depp’s side as they begin their rebuttal of Heard’s counterclaim in court in Fairfax, Va.

EXCLUSIVE: Bong Joon-Ho’s follow-up film to Oscar winner Parasite is currently in pre-production at Warner Bros Studios Leavesden.

Into the Woods is currently lighting up the stage at Virginia’s ArtSpace Falls Church.Creative Cauldron’s production is the latest overseen by Helen Hayes Award-winning director Matt Conner (Beauty and the Beast), whom the company celebrates for his adeptness at “creating intricate worlds in Cauldron’s intimate space without losing spectacle.”In Conner’s production, the story springs to life from the ruins of an old castle wall, where multiple protagonists eventually learn the thorny consequences of getting exactly what they wish for. Happily ever after this is not.The large cast is led by Susan Derry as The Witch, John Loughney as The Baker, and Erin Granfield as The Baker’s Wife, Brett Klock as Jack, and Brooke Bloomquist as Cinderella.The creative team includes Elisa Rossman as music director, Margie Jervis as scenic and costume designer — incorporating her sculpture and puppetry background in the elements of this production — and Lyn Joslin as lighting designer.Through May 29.

The WWE has “suspended indefinitely” and stripped Sasha Banks and Naomi of their titles after the tag team’s balk at participating in a match earlier this week at Monday Night Raw.

David Zaslav, CEO of Warner Bros Discovery, proclaimed the merged company as essentially the fifth broadcast network, and repeated his vow that the company would overcome any skepticism about its prospects.

Jennifer Hudson, host of the forthcoming eponymous Warner Bros. Unscripted TV daytime talk show kicked things off at Warner Bros. Discovery’s Upfront with some help from Discovery and CNN stars.

Cynthia Littleton Business EditorWarner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav raised the curtain on the combined Warner Bros.

Fox News faces widespread criticism for star host Tucker Carlson’s repeated focus on the racist ideology known as “replacement theory.” On Saturday, a mass shooter killed 10 people and wounded several more in a Buffalo, New York, grocery store after posting a manifesto expressing support for the ideology. Fox News also drew a seeming rebuke from President Biden after the Buffalo attack, though Biden did not name the network or any of its hosts specifically. The Media Matters survey of the Fox News coverage, which features a daily falsehood paired with an explanation and a countering factual statement, includes topics ranging from COVID-19 masking and vaccines to migration across the southern border and the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Nick Vivarelli International CorrespondentJohannes Larcher and Luis Duran, respectively HBO Max’s general managers of international and Latin America, are set to exit the streamer as part of the ongoing shakeup at Warner Bros. Discovery, Variety has confirmed.The two top HBO Max execs are the latest layoffs to surface as a new leadership team is being put in place at the merged behemoth by JB Perrette previously Discovery’s president and CEO of streaming and international and now appointed CEO and president of Warner Bros.

Selome Hailu In a memo obtained by Variety on Thursday, Warner Bros. Discovery’s head of HR Adria Alpert Romm reiterated to staffers that they’d be required to work from the office three days per week beginning June 1.Discovery’s acquisition of WarnerMedia was completed on April 8. On April 26, Deadline reported the company’s first memo mentioning the 3-day requirement.The news comes amid a series of high profile executive exits at Warner Bros.

Warner Bros. Discovery’s Johanna Fuentes is leaving as Head of Global Communications for Studios and Networks Group after a transitional period. The departure is a result of a decision to decentralize the communications functions of the recently formed Warner Bros. Discovery whose communications teams will be announced later.

Warner Bros Discovery UK EVP & Country Manager, UK & Ireland, Polly Cochrane is stepping down after 13 years.

EXCLUSIVE: Jeffrey Schlesinger, who was previously President, Warner Bros Worldwide Television Distribution, has set up his own consultancy shingle.

RTS London Unveils Lineup & Warner Bros Discovery’s Priya Dogra As Chair

Warner Bros International Television Production Australia, in partnership with Speech & Drama Pictures, has acquired exclusive international rights to develop holiday-themed ballad “How To Make Gravy” into a Christmas film.

Another top Warner exec, John Rogovin, is heading for the exits amid a major corporate shakeout following the merger of WarnerMedia and Discovery last month.

Matt Donnelly Senior Film WriterWarner Bros. executive vice president and top legal boss John Rogovin has resigned his post, sources familiar with the company told Variety.The well-liked and respected Rogovin was general counsel for the former WarnerMedia Studios and Networks Group, which encompassed units like Warner Bros.