With all the changes happening with Paramount Pictures during the merger with Skydance, Walt Disney Studios has been hired Daria Cercek as the new President of Disney Live Action – Theatrical.

In her new role, Cercek will be responsible for spearheading all aspects of Disney Live Action’s theatrical slate, driving the development and production of films inspired by the studio’s iconic stories and characters, and championing original projects.

She has been recently working as the Co-President of the Motion Picture Group at Paramount Pictures with Michael Ireland, who will now take over her division.

During her time at Paramount Pictures, she oversaw the release of many films from popular franchises including “Sonic The Hedgehog”, “Gladiator”, “Smile”, “A Quiet Place”, “Scream” and “Mission: Impossible”.

Daria will be reporting to David Greenbaum, President of Disney Live Action and 20th Century Studios, who said in a statement regarding the hiring:

“Daria’s unique creative talent, passion for storytelling and deep experience working with world class filmmakers fits perfectly with Disney’s mission to create unforgettable cinematic experiences that will stand the test of time. I am thrilled to welcome her to the team and look forward to the incredible contributions she will undoubtedly make.”

Cercek also said in a statement regarding her new role at Disney:

“Disney has long set the standard for timeless storytelling, bringing to life some of the most beloved characters and stories that have captivated generations of audiences around the world. Like so many, I grew up inspired by the magic of Disney, so it is a true privilege to join Alan Bergman, David, and this incredible team. I look forward to working alongside them, and today’s most visionary filmmakers, to build on the studio’s extraordinary legacy.”

Roger’s Take: Daria has got a great track record with the recent Paramount Pictures film slate, so she should be a great fit for Disney, especially as many of the titles she worked on were family favourites. Disney’s live-action division could really do with a kick in a new direction, following an over-reliance on live-action reimaginings of classic animated films and not taking many risks, so hopefully, this will usher in a new era for live-action movies at Disney.

What do you think of this new hiring? Let me know on social media!

Roger Palmer

Roger has been a Disney fan since he was a kid and this interest has grown over the years. He has visited Disney Parks around the globe and has a vast collection of Disney movies and collectibles. He is the owner of What's On Disney Plus & DisKingdom. Email: Roger@WhatsOnDisneyPlus.com Twitter: Twitter.com/RogPalmerUK Facebook: Facebook.com/rogpalmeruk

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