Pamela Abdy spends month away from Hollywood after Warner Bros. split
The former studio chief says she is resting and attending her daughter's volleyball games while deciding her next move.
By Grace Almasi ·
Pamela Abdy has stopped working for one month.
She made this clear during her first public appearance since leaving her post as co-chair and CEO of Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group. Abdy spoke to reporters at the Women in Film Honors dinner held Thursday night at the Beverly Hilton.
Abdy described her current schedule as a period of rest. She told Variety reporter Marc Malkin on the red carpet, "Right now, I'm taking a break and chilling." She explained that this pause allows her to attend every one of her daughter's volleyball games without interruption.
The studio announced Abdy's departure on Oct. 1. At that time, she was also named the inaugural recipient of the Women in Film Vanguard Award. The change occurred just as Warner Bros. prepared to merge with Skydance Media. Abdy and her producing partner, Michael DeLuca, learned that day that they would not lead the studio into this new phase.
Industry rumors suggest Abdy and DeLuca might fill the open film head role at Netflix. Abdy addressed these whispers but did not confirm them. She said she will announce her next role when she makes a decision. "Honestly, it's an interesting time to be able to take a break, and really decide what I want," she stated. Her stated goal is to continue working with top storytellers.
Abdy's tenure at Warner Bros. included both major successes and financial setbacks. The studio released blockbusters such as Barbie, Dune: Part Two, and One Battle After Another. Last year, the studio tied the all-time record with 11 Academy Awards from 30 nominations. However, not every release performed well. The Bride! lost $100 million at the box office this spring. Digger, the studio's final standalone release, was also one of the year's largest financial failures.
When asked if she believes the combined Warner Bros. Skydance entity will meet its target of releasing 30 films annually, Abdy offered a measured response. "I don't know. I'm not there. I hope they do," she said. The Women in Film gala also honored actresses Adria Arjona, Beth de Araujo, Gemma Chan, and Salma Hayek Pinault.
