Jason Ropell has stepped down as head of Amazon film division, an individual familiar with the decision told TheWrap.
While abrupt, the insider said the move was amicable as new Amazon Studios chief Jennifer Salke continues to put her stamp on the streaming giant.
Production chief Ted Hope and international distribution and strategic initiatives head Matt Newman will serve as interim leaders until Ropell is replaced. Salke is looking to change direction in the group, the individual said, which has focused primarily on prestige dramas that enjoy full theatrical releases and awards campaigns.
Their slate is also packed for fall, with the hotly anticipated Luca Gudagnino film “Suspiria,” and Timothee Chalamet addiction drama “Beautiful Boy.”
Ropell is the second major Amazon Studios exec to leave in the past year. Studio head Roy Price stepped down last October after “The Man in the High Castle” executive producer Isa Hackett accused him of sexual harassment. He was replaced by NBC Entertainment president Salke this past February.
Under Ropell’s leadership, Amazon Studios released several Oscar-contending films, including “Manchester By The Sea,” which won Best Original Screenplay and Best Actor in 2017, and “The Big Sick,” which was nominated for Best Original Screenplay this past winter.
News of Ropell’s exit was first reported by Variety.
Here Are the World's 10 Richest People, From Jeff Bezos to Charles Koch
Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos shook up the rankings of the world's wealthiest on Thursday, narrowly surpassing Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates. Scroll through to for a countdown listing Forbes' top list of billionaires.
One half of the Koch brothers, Koch is chairman and CEO to Koch Industries, the second-largest private company in the United States. He splits control of the company with brother David.
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9. Bernard Arnault
Net worth: $53.2 billion
The CEO of LVMH, Arnault oversees 70 luxe retail brands, including Dom Perignon, Sephora, Louis Vuitton, Bulgari and Tag Huer, not to mention 3,900 other retailers. (Yes, that's Karl Lagerfeld he's pictured with here).
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8. Michael Bloomberg
Net worth: $53.3 billion
Bloomberg still retains an 88% stake in Bloomberg LP, the media and financial informations company he founded. He's donated more than $4 billion towards gun control and climate change.
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7. Larry Ellison
Net worth: $61.3 billion
The Oracle co-founder is another college dropout. He got his start building databases for the CIA and now still serves at Oracle as chairman and chief technology officer.
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6. Carlos Slim Helu
Net worth: $68.6 billion
Helu heads Mexico's largest mobile telecom firm, America Movil. He's also involved in real estate, construction consumer goods and mining companies, making him Mexico's richest man.
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5. Mark Zuckerburg
Net worth: $70.2 billion
For a Harvard dropout, the Facebook founder and CEO is doing pretty well. He and his wife have pledged to give away 99% of their Facebook stake over their lifetimes.
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4. Warren Buffet
Net worth: $74.3 billion
One of Gates' good friends, Buffet is known as one of the most successful investors ever. Berkshire Hathaway owns more than 60 companies.
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3. Amancio Ortega
Net worth: $83.5 billion
Ortega co-founded the parent company to popular fast-fashion retailer Zara, Inditex. He's the wealthiest man in Europe.
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2. Bill Gates
Net worth: $89.7 billion
The Microsoft cofounder co-chairs the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation with his wife; it's the world's largest charitable foundation.
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1. Jeff Bezos
Net worth: $90 billion
Bezos overtook Microsoft mogul Bill Gates on Thursday. He's the founder and CEO of Amazon, which passed $500 billion market value this week for the first time.
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The Amazon founder just recently passed Bill Gates. See who else is on the list
Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos shook up the rankings of the world's wealthiest on Thursday, narrowly surpassing Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates. Scroll through to for a countdown listing Forbes' top list of billionaires.