Sony hack fallout: Embattled Amy Pascal is out as studio chief

In news that won’t come as too much of a surprise to entertainment industry watchers, Sony Pictures boss Amy Pascal is stepping down from her job following the embarrassing debacle caused by the Sony hack, allegedly perpetrated by North Korea, according to the Hollywood Reporter. But Pascal won’t be leaving the Culver City headquarters of Sony Pictures, as she’s making the transition to producer with an office on the lot.

“I have spent almost my entire professional life at Sony Pictures and I am energized to be starting this new chapter based at the company I call home,” she said in a statement. “I have always wanted to be a producer. [Sony Entertainment CEO] Michael [Lynton] and I have been talking about this transition for quite some time, and I am grateful to him for giving me the opportunity to pursue my long-held dream and for providing unparalleled support. As the slate for the next two years has come together, it felt like the right time to transition into this new role. I am so grateful to my team, some of whom I have worked with for the last 20 years and others who have joined more recently. I am leaving the studio in great hands. I am so proud of what we have all done together and I look forward to a whole lot more.”

Pascal was the most public victim of the cyber attack, which saw scores of emails to and from the studio boss regarding colleagues, celebrities and works in progress and gave a sometimes cringe-worthy peek into Pascal’s crisis management style. She most famously did battle with producer Scott Rudin over a Steve Jobs biopic, currently in production, and Angelina Jolie’s long-planned “Cleopatra” remake.

Pascal will leave her post in March, at the end of her current contract, and her new venture will start up in May. Sony has signed a four-year agreement with Pascal to finance production entity distribute the films it produces.

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