Warner Bros. Entertainment has revamped its DC Comics subsidiary into a new company called DC Entertainment and placed in charge executive Diane Nelson, formerly president of Warner Premiere.
The move, aimed at fully realizing the potential of DC’s character brands across all media, will see current DC president and publisher Paul Levitz segue into a new role as a writer, contributing editor and overall consultant with the company. Levitz has been working for DC for 37 years, and has served as president and publisher since 2002.
Nelson has two decades of creative branding experience. She has overseen the management of the Harry Potter franchise for the studio and represented Warner Bros. in its dealings with Potter creator J.K. Rowling. Warner Premiere also has been behind the DC Universe line of original animated DVD features, including Superman: Doomsday, Justice League: The New Frontier, Batman: Gotham Knight, Wonder Woman and the recent Green Lantern: First Flight. As president of DC Entertainment, Nelson will report to Jeff Robinov, president of Warner Bros. Pictures Group.
A press release says Nelson will be charged with overseeing ‘DC Entertainment’s dual mission of marshalling Warner Bros.’ resources to maximize the potential of the DC brand while remaining respectful of and collaborative with creators, talent, fans and source material.’
The release also states that the publishing of comic books will remain a cornerstone element of DC Entertainment.
The company says it will announce early next year more details on its structure, film and content release slates, creative roster and business objectives at a press conference that will be part of the company’s 75th anniversary celebration.
News of the change comes only a week after The Walt Disney Co. announced plans to buy DC’s comic-book rival, Marvel Entertainment. Blogger Nikki Finke reported that the change has been coming since Robinov assumed his job in early 2007.
She also reports the studio has quietly ‘called back’ the movie and TV options for such high-profile DC properties as The Flash and Wonder Woman, seeking better deals and a more cohesive development strategy.
The studio confirmed the following DC-based TV and movie projects as forthcoming in its statement:
‘ Human Target, in production at Warner Bros. Television for a mid-season debut on Fox.
‘ Midnight Mass, in series development at Warner Bros. Television for consideration for the 2010-11 season.
‘ Jonah Hex, a Warner Bros. Pictures’ supernatural Western starring Josh Brolin, Megan Fox and John Malkovich, recently wrapped production in Louisiana.
‘ The Losers, a Dark Castle/Warner Bros. Pictures’ action-adventure drama starring Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Zoe Saldana and Chris Evans, began principal photography mid-July in Puerto Rico.
‘ The Green Lantern, Warner Bros. Pictures’ next big superhero tentpole release, recently cast Ryan Reynolds as the titular character. The film has a projected second quarter 2011 release date.
‘ Lobo, based on the DC Comics anti-hero, has Guy Ritchie attached as a director; Joel Silver, Akiva Goldsman and Andrew Rona are producing for Silver Pictures and Warner Bros. Pictures.
‘ Warner Premiere’s direct-to-platform DVD animated release of Green Lantern: First Flight debuted July 28.
‘ Warner Bros. Animation currently produces Batman: The Brave and the Bold, which airs on Cartoon Network.
‘ Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment released on Aug. 25 Batman: Arkham Asylum, a dark, action-packed videogame adventure for Xbox 360 and PlayStation3, and for Windows.
