Legendary finds Parent as Rosenblum exits

Legendary Entertainment has brought in producer Mary Parent to run its film and TV operations, as television and digital chief Bruce Rosenblum exits.

Parent has been named vice-chair, worldwide production at the US studio, which was recently acquired by China’s Dalian Wanda Group.

He hire comes after the exit of Legendary’s president and chief creative officer Jon Jashni, and as former Warner Bros. Television chief Rosenblum leaves his post after three years.

Parent will oversee all aspects on film, television, digital, mobile and new-media development and production, and reports into company CEO Thomas Tull.

Her appointment was “timed to a new phase” following the Chinese investment, Legendary said. “Utilising the company’s broader platform and reach, her mandate will be to continue to harness Legendary’s expertise in creating tentpole films and impactful television and digital series for global audiences,” a statement read.

Rosenblum was drafted in as founder and president of Legendary Television and Digital Media in July 2013 after being passed over for the top job at Warner Bros. Entertainment.

He launched Legendary’s TV operation, which sells USA Networks’ Colony (pictured); Netflix comedy Love; and Syfy drama The Expanse, through an acquisition from prodco Alcon Entertainment.

It also piloted comedy Downward Dog for ABC and another for TBS, and has digital scripted projects at Hulu, (Myst) and Fullscreen (Electra Woman and Dyna Girl).

Legendary TV also acquired The Kennedys producer Asylum Entertainment under Rosenblum’s watch.

Rosenblum remains chairman of the Television Academy, which he will continue as he plans his “next chapter”.

“Obviously, with the change at the top of Legendary, subsequent changes throughout the company were inevitable,” said Rosenblum in a statement. “I am extremely proud of the team we have assembled in such a short time, and I know that Legendary Television and Digital Media will continue to grow and meaningfully contribute to Legendary for years to come.”

New Legendary chief Parent is a former chairman of worldwide production at MGM and a co-founder of Stuber/Parent. She was also vice-chair of worldwide production at Universal Pictures.

More recently, she was founder and CEO of film firm Disruption Entertainment. According to Deadline, Parent is bringing Disruption’s VP, development Ali Mendes and executive VP Cale Boyter to Legendary.