20th Century Studios, which used to be known as 20th Century Fox, has named veteran executiveSteve Asbellas its new president of production. He replacesEmma Watts, who left the studio last month. Additionally,Vanessa Morrisonhas been named president of streaming at Walt Disney Studios, where she will oversee the development and production of Disney+ film content.
Asbell has been with the studio since 2002 and has worked on some of its biggest titles since then, includingRidley Scott’sThe Martian, and a pair ofJames Mangoldmovies –LoganandFord v Ferrari. He’s currently overseeing production on the star-studded mysteryDeath on the Nile, as well as Scott’s period dramaThe Last DuelstarringMatt Damon,Adam Driver,Jodie ComerandBen Affleck.
Morrison spent a decade serving as the president of Fox Animation before taking over the top post at Fox Family. She has worked on movies in theIce AgeandRiofranchises, as well asThe Peanuts Movie. Morrison will report to Walt Disney Studios president of productionSean Bailey, while Asbell will report to Disney’sAlan Hornand his fellow co-chairmanAlan Bergman.
The elevation of Asbell and Morrison comes on the heels ofBob Igerhanding the CEO reinstoBob Chapekin order to focus on creative matters at the studio. It has been a hectic week for Disney, which just made the difficult but understandable decision to shut down Disneyland. Disney is also likely weighing whether to delay the release ofMulan, which has already seen its day-and-date release in China canceled due to theater closures stemming from the coronavirus pandemic.
As a longtime industry reporter, I can say that Asbell and Morrison’s promotions are both well deserved, and I’ve long respected and admired Asbell’s taste as an executive. He’ll have his work cut out for him in his new role, but I suspect he’ll be up to the challenge and rise to the occasion. Tough decisions will have to be made in the coming days and weeks, but at least Disney won’t have to worry about putting on a show at CinemaCon, which was canceled late Wednesday night. For more on that story,click here.
