Brian Robbins to Replace Jim Gianopulos as Paramount Pictures Chairman and CEO

It was only a matter of time before Ariana Grande blocked John Legend during “The Voice”‘s season 21 Blind Auditions — but it didn’t quite go according to plan!

Ariana Grande blocked John Legend during 'sseason 21 Blind Auditions — but it didn't quite go according to plan!During Monday's Blinds, Ariana said that John «pushed a button, literally and figuratively» when he blocked her to land showtune-loving crooner Joshua Vacanti last week.

Village Roadshow Pictures chairman and CEO Bruce Berman is exiting after 24 years at the production finance studio.

Brent Lang Executive Editor of Film and MediaBruce Berman is stepping down as chairman and CEO of Village Roadshow Pictures, the company behind such hits as “The Matrix,” “Joker,” and “Edge of Tomorrow.” He leaves after a 24-year run.“I am incredibly grateful to have been involved in the inception of VRP and the impact our films and franchises have had not only on popular culture but also on the craft of filmmaking,” said Berman.

Village Roadshow Pictures’ longtime Chairman and CEO Bruce Berman will depart after two decades at the company.

Matt Donnelly Senior Film WriterEmma Watts is out as Paramount’s motion picture group president.Watts exits just over a year in the job, on the heels of her former Fox boss Jim Gianopulos — whose jaw-dropping ouster as Paramount Pictures Chairman and CEO shook up Hollywood in early September.

Following Emma Watts’ departure as President of the Motion Picture Film Group, her Co-Presidents of Production Mike Ireland and Daria Cercek are being elevated to run the film group now as co-heads. Jeremy Kramer will lead Paramount Players.

President of the Motion Picture Group at Paramount Pictures Emma Watts is exiting her position following the ouster of CEO and Chairman Jim Gianopulos, an individual with knowledge of the situation told TheWrap. Earlier this month, head of Nickelodeon at ViacomCBS Brian Robbins was announced to replace Gianopulos.

ViacomCBS CEO Bob Bakish was out beating the Wall Street drum for new Paramount boss Brian Robbins, who, he told investors, will lead “the film studio of the future.”

Ashton Sanders will be playing a young Bobby Brown in the upcoming biopic I Wanna Dance With Somebody.

EXCLUSIVE: Ashton Sanders has joined the cast of the biopic I Wanna Dance With Somebody, the upcoming feature about the late musical icon, Whitney Houston. Sanders will play Bobby Brown and sources also tell Deadline that Black Label Media is coming on board to co-finance the film with Compelling Pictures and Primary Wave Music.

media reports. Reps for Paramount and ViacomCBS did not immediately respond to TheWrap’s request for comment.

Brent Lang Executive Editor of Film and MediaChris Petrikin has stepped down from his role as executive vice president of global communications and corporate branding at Paramount Pictures. His exit comes on the heels of the announcement this week that ViacomCBS is replacing studio chief Jim Gianopulos with Nickelodeon head Brian Robbins.

EXCLUSIVE: We are hearing that Chris Petrikin, EVP of Global Communications and Corporate Branding, is leaving Paramount. The news comes in the wake of Jim Gianopulos’ planned departure from the Melrose Lot as Chairman and CEO, and Brian Robbins adding oversee of the motion picture studio to his growing portfolio. A Paramount spokesperson could not be reached.

Claudia Eller Co-Editor-in-ChiefThe changing of the legacy guard in Hollywood continues in a business focused on prioritizing content for streaming customers.Last week, we learned that seasoned studio chief Jim Gianopulos, who for decades has been shepherding big, successful theatrical movies, was being pushed out after four years as chairman and CEO of Paramount Pictures in favor of a digital-leaning leader known for purveying lower-cost content aimed at younger consumers.While the abrupt move

ViacomCBS CFO Naveen Chopra — asked Tuesday about Paramount’s management shakeup — said outgoing studio CEO Jim Gianopolus “leaves some very big shoes to fill. There is no doubt he has helped revitalize the studio both creatively and financially. But I think Brian [Robbins] is really the perfect person to take the reins from here.”

The transition plan for Paramount Pictures is officially set, with ViacomCBS confirming Jim Gianopulos will exit and Brian Robbins will add leadership of the studio to his growing portfolio.

Brent Lang Executive Editor of Film and MediaBrian Robbins has officially been named president and CEO of Paramount Pictures, replacing Jim Gianopulos as head of the studio behind the “Mission: Impossible” and “Transformers” franchises.He will take the reins while continuing in his current post as head of Nickelodeon and as the chief content officer of kids and family for Paramount Plus, the streaming service launched this year by Paramount’s parent company ViacomCBS.