Legendary Pictures CEO Thomas Tull is not close to deciding whether he will be leaving Warner Bros. at the end of the year when his contract is up, according to an individual familiar with the negotiations between the two sides.
Despite a media report to the contrary, the situation has changed little since Tull (pictured above right) let it be known in February that he was not happy at the studio. TheWrap first reported details of tension between the two, leading Time Warner CEO Jeff Bewkes to acknowledge that the two sides were in "problem solving" mode.
According to the individual, Tull has not pursued the conversation with WB over a new contract or met recently with any of the other studios that might be in line to strike an alliance with the prolific producer and financier, who has partnered in such major Warner franchises as "The Dark Knight" and "The Hangover."
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"It's too early in the process to determine where things stand," said the individual with knowledge of the negotiations, denying a report in Variety that a renewal of the agreement with Warner was "unlikely."
The summer will "crystallize" the future of the relationship, said the individual. "Pacific Rim," a Legendary movie being distributed by Warner, will be out in mid-July, which will be a major test of Tull’s prowess as a full-fledged producer. Other joint titles this summer include the "Hangover Part III" and “Man of Steel."
A spokeswoman for Tull declined to comment, as did a spokeswoman for Warner.
Also read: Time Warner CEO Jeff Bewkes on Legendary Pictures Tension: We're 'Problem Solving'
The reports of tension involved strain between Tull and Warner studio chief Jeff Robinov, who Tull believed had undercut him and his relationships on the lot.
But since that time the partners have successfully released "42," about African-American baseball player Jackie Robinson, capped by a screening at The White House. And in a presentation of the studio's slate at CinemaCon last month, Robinov went out of his way to acknowledge the partnership with Tull and praise his movies.