Amid the ongoing battle for Warner Bros Discovery (WBD), Warner Bros motion picture group heads Michael De Luca and Pam Abdy have just announced they are launching a specialty theatrical label to be led by former Neon executive Christian Parkes.
It is understood the label will supply exhibitors two to three lower-budget theatrical releases a year targeted at digital natives and Gen Z – a demographic that has adopted cinema-going as a habit.
As yet there are no films on the new roster, which will comprise in-house productions and acquisitions and champion “smartly budgeted global theatrical releases with innovative marketing campaigns”. Warner Bros sources were keen to stress the new label will cater to the exhibition community’s need for a wide range of features and not just blockbusters – a point made by Cinema United head Michael O’Leary.
Parkes recently departed Neon where he had served as Chief Marketing Officer since 2017. He is bringing two former Neon colleagues with him to Warner Bros: Jason Wald, who joins as head of acquisitions & production, and Spencer Collantes, who will serve as VP marketing & creative. They are expected to attend Sundance, which runs January 22-February 1, 2026, in Park City, Utah.
Reporting to De Luca and Abdy, Parkes will manage daily operations and focus on independent films and new titles developed in-house for global theatrical release. Warner Independent handled around six theatrical releases a year and shuttered in 2008.
It is understood the division had been planned for some time, prior to the recent announcement by WBD CEO David Zaslav and Netflix co-CEOs Ted Sarandos and Greg Peters that they had struck a deal for the streamer to acquire WBD’s studios and steaming businesses.
Sarandos has said Netflix plans to theatrically release the Warner Bros films that the legacy studio already intended to open in cinemas. The Netflix co-heads have sounded confident that the acquisition will close after regulatory and other requirements are met. The WBD board just rejected a hostile bid from Paramount, which may come back with a higher offer. Netflix had not commented on the new division at time of writing.
Revitalised US theatrical distribution sector
Thursday’s announcement adds impetus to what is shaping up to be a revitalised US theatrical release arena after the launch in 2025 of Row K, Black Bear’s US distribution operation, and smaller labels like 1-2 Special, Sumerian Pictures. David Glasser’s 101 Studios is also lining up a move into distribution, while Watermelon Pictures opened in 2024.
De Luca and Abdy said: “As the global theatrical marketplace continues to embrace fresh ideas and welcome new audiences, we are excited that Christian will lead our efforts to amplify the voices of bold, audacious, and original storytellers. The new label will fearlessly champion unique perspectives from both established and emerging talent, and we are grateful to David Zaslav and the company’s leadership for their ongoing passion and support in making this label possible.”
Parkes added: “I’ve spent my life marvelling at the cinema of Warner Bros.; my education came from Peckinpah, Miller, Friedkin, and Kubrick. To be a part of this studio’s future and the transformative change that Pam and Mike are creating is an honour and an exhilarating opportunity to collaborate with some of the world’s best filmmakers.”
At Neon, Parkes led campaigns on best picture Oscar winners Anora and Parasite, as well as that company’s biggest theatrical hit, Longlegs. Wald most recently served as EVP, acquisitions & production at Neon and Collantes was VP of creative marketing.
Warner Bros has enjoyed a mighty year at the box office, with multiple number one hits like A Minecraft Movie, Superman, Sinners, Weapons, and F1 (as Apple’s theatrical release partner on the film) contributing to more than $4bn for the studio at the worldwide box office.
2026 brings Emerald Fennell’s Wuthering Heights on February 13, The Bride! in March, a Practical Magic sequel in September, Digger in October, and Dune: Part Three in December.
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