Disney Physical Production President Bruce Hendricks Exiting Studio

With Disney making fewer live-action movies, longtime president of physical production Bruce Hendricks is exiting the studio in a mutual parting of the ways.

Hendricks' ties to Disney extend beyond the top post. He also directed Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert and Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience.

As head of physical production for more than a decade, Hendricks worked on dozens of live-action projects, including the Pirates of the Caribbean and National Treasure franchises.

Hendricks is stll at the studio on a consulting basis for the next several months, but is no longer running the physical production division.

Since taking over as chair of Disney, Rich Ross has said the studio will make fewer of its own titles. The only 2011 Disney live-action movies dated so far are Prom, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides
and the untitled Muppets movie.

That lessens the demand on the physical production division. In addition to Hendricks, the studio's head of casting Marcia Ross also will be exiting in the next several months.

Disney won't be without product, however. The studio has a key output deal with DreamWorks Studios -- beginning Friday with I Am Number Four -- and also owns Marvel Studios. The first Marvel film Disney will release is The Avengers next year.

When Ross first took over, a number of top execs left the studio. Now, there seems to be a second round, whether by design or not.

Late last month, Disney worldwide president of distribution Chuck Viane announced he is retiring, effective July 1.

Viane had been wanting to retire for months, but agreed to wait until Ross got settled.

David Hollis has been tapped by Ross to take over Viane's duties.

Viane and Hendricks, whose departure is more imminent, will work as consultants for Disney.

Disney executive vp distribution Chris LeRoy, Viane's No. 2, also has announced his resignation.

There also have been changes on the marketing side. Disney has tapped former Universal executive Frank Chiocchi to oversee creative advertising for all live-action titles.

In turn, longtime Disney executive vp worldwide marketing and creative content David Singh has exited.