He succeeds longtime domestic distribution boss Chris Aronson, who didn't survive the Skydance-Paramount merger.

Theaters have already been calling on Hollywood to give them more films, but Warner's acquisition by Paramount or another buyer could crush those hopes.

Nothing swiftly puts a stop to a hot streak like a movie that is both critically reviled and commercially dismissed.

PREVIOUS FRIDAY MIDDAY: In a weak box office weekend with Halloween festivities stealing audiences away today, Universal/Blumhouse’s Black Phone 2 will pop back up to No. 1 in its third frame with a ...