Michael De Luca once joked about keeping his job for more than two years when he and Pamela Abdy took the reins at Warner Bros. in 2023. Fast forward to 2025, and that statement has become eerily relevant as the duo faces mounting challenges at the studio.
While their tenure saw the massive success of “Barbie” (greenlit by their predecessor), their 2024 slate has largely underperformed. The biggest financial setbacks have come from Bong Joon Ho’s “Mickey 17” and “The Alto Knights,” which together will cost Warner Bros. over $110 million in losses.
Leadership Under Pressure
De Luca and Abdy have long been known as champions of filmmakers, willing to take creative risks. However, recent failures have tested their standing with Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav, whose cost-cutting approach has made profitability a top priority. Industry speculation suggests that Peter Safran, co-chairman of DC Films, could step in to take greater control if results do not improve.
The studio did see success with “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” but other projects like “Furiosa” and “Juror No. 2” have struggled. Perhaps the most significant disappointment has been “Joker: Folie à Deux,” which De Luca and Abdy greenlit, only to see it met with audience indifference and critical backlash.
Internal Turmoil
The growing pressure has strained Warner Bros.’ leadership, with reports of tension between De Luca and Abdy. Sources mention heated discussions in their shared office and disagreements with marketing teams over strategic decisions.
Last week, Warner Bros. made several high-profile scheduling changes. Paul Thomas Anderson’s $130 million thriller “One Battle After Another” was shifted from summer to an awards-season release in September. Meanwhile, Maggie Gyllenhaal’s $80 million “The Bride!” was delayed to spring 2026. These changes reflect a cautious approach to maximize audience reception.
Abdy and De Luca have denied any internal discord, emphasizing their long-standing friendship and teamwork. Warner Bros.’ marketing head, Dana Nussbaum, also refuted claims of open infighting, asserting that the duo has provided strong leadership.
The Road Ahead
Despite past setbacks, De Luca and Abdy remain optimistic. Upcoming projects include Jack Black’s “Minecraft” movie, which is showing promising early tracking numbers. They are also betting on Ryan Coogler’s vampire thriller “Sinners,” an original IP that is projected to open with a solid $40 million.
With major releases on the horizon, Warner Bros. is at a crossroads. September’s release of “One Battle After Another,” starring Leonardo DiCaprio, will serve as a crucial test for the studio’s recovery efforts. The film needs to gross at least $260 million to break even—an ambitious target considering DiCaprio’s last film, “Killers of the Flower Moon,” underperformed at the domestic box office.
Industry Watch
The industry is closely watching how Warner Bros. presents its upcoming slate at CinemaCon. With projects like “The Conjuring” and “Mortal Kombat” adaptations, plus reboots of “The Matrix,” “Practical Magic,” and “The Goonies,” the studio has plenty of high-profile IP to leverage.
As De Luca and Abdy fight to turn the tide, their leadership will be scrutinized at every turn. Whether they can navigate Warner Bros. through this turbulent period remains to be seen.