Sony’s Pascal steps down after email embarrassment

Amy Pascal, one of the most high profile and powerful executives in Hollywood, is soon to step down as co-chair of Sony Pictures Entertainment, following a hacking scandal that brought controversy to both her and the company’s doorstep. The California-based company announced that Pascal would be leaving in May this year to begin work on a production company of her own, which Sony Pictures will fund and retain the distribution rights for at least the next four years.

The cyber attack brought to light racially insensitive remarks she made about President Obama’s taste in films

Hackers launched a “vicious” attack on Sony Pictures towards the end of November and, in doing so, made public confidential company information, including private email correspondence, salaries and social security information. Crucially for Pascal, the cyber attack brought to light racially insensitive remarks she made about President Obama’s taste in films, leaked by Buzzfeed, for which the chairman later apologised and condemned as both “insensitive and inappropriate”. Other revelations included an email exchange between Pascal and Scott Rudin, in which the latter called actress Angelina Jolie a “minimally talented spoiled brat”.

Pascal’s own production company will focus on film, theatre and television, where her contacts and close to 20 years experience at Sony Pictures will prove invaluable in succeeding in this same industry once again. “I have spent almost my entire professional life at Sony Pictures and I am energized to be starting this new chapter based at the company I call home,” said Pascal in a statement.

Pascal leaves behind a legacy of bold choices at the company, best characterised by her support of The Interview, for which the cyber attack is suspected to be indebted to, Zero Dark Thirty and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, all films that were both controversial and highly profitable. “Amy’s creativity, drive, and bold choices helped define SPE as a studio where talented individuals could take chances and push boundaries in order to deliver outstanding entertainment,” said Michael Lynton, CEO of Sony Entertainment. “The studio’s legacy is due in large part to Amy’s passion for storytelling and love of this industry. I am delighted that Amy will be continuing her association with SPE through this new venture, which capitalizes on her extraordinary talents.”