Bill Ireton, longtime president of Warner Entertainment Japan, will step down in March and will be replaced by Millard Ochs.
Richard Fox, executive vp international at Warner, made the announcement, but did not give a reason for the personnel change. Ochs, who previously worked for Warner in Japan and as Warner Bros. International Cinemas president, will come out of retirement to begin working alongside Ireton starting next month during a transition period before he takes over in March.
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Ireton has been with Warner Japan since 1988, taking over as head of operations in 2006 and overseeing the studio’s move into local productions, including the 2012 remake of Unforgiven, starring Ken Watanabe in the Clint Eastwood role.
While the Unforgiven remake failed to light up the box office, Warner Japan has scored major hits under Ireton, including the three Ruroni Kenshin samurai films directed by Keishi Ohtomo, one in released in 2012 and two in quick succession this year.
Twitter: @GavinJBlair
