Sony Pictures Names New Movie Chief

By Ben Fritz 

Sony Pictures named a new movie chief with a résumé similar to that of his predecessor, Amy Pascal, but with a very different temperament.

Tom Rothman, who spent more than a decade as co-head of the Twentieth Century Fox movie studio and most recently ran Sony's TriStar label, will replace Ms. Pascal as chairman of Sony's motion-picture group.

He reports to Sony Entertainment Chief Executive Michael Lynton, who has renewed his contract to an undisclosed date, the company said. Sony Entertainment is part of Tokyo-based Sony Corp.

During Mr. Rothman's time at Fox, now a unit of 21st Century Fox, the executive was known for keeping a closer eye on costs than Ms. Pascal has been. But he had a more mixed reputation among talent in Hollywood such as actors and filmmakers as a result. He was fired a little over two years ago in a surprise move. Fox was until recently part of the same company as The Wall Street Journal.

Unlike Ms. Pascal, who said in recent public comments that she was fired and is becoming a producer based at Sony Pictures, Mr. Rothman won't have oversight of the studio's television business. The head of Sony Pictures Television, Steve Mosko, will now report directly to Mr. Lynton.

Write to Ben Fritz at [e-mail]

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