Sony Pictures Entertainment co-chairman Amy Pascal is stepping down from the role following last year’s hacking scandal in which damaging emails were leaked.As reported by The Wall Street Journal, Pascal, who has worked at Sony for nearly 20 years, will step down from the role in May and become a producer based at the company.
Pascal was caught up in the hacking scandal following last year’s public airing of emails, with hackers releasing a slew of Sony correspondence.
In particular, an email exchange in which Pascal made racially insensitive comments about US President Barack Obama attracted widespread media attention.
The emails along with other personal information were released following the hacking attack, which also saw a number of movies leaked online, and which resulted in the initial cancellation of the theatrical release of the movie The Interview.
The Interview depicts a fictional CIA plot to assassinate North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, with speculation following the attack linking North Korea to the hacking.
Sony Pictures chief executive Michael Lynton didn’t ask Pascal step down, according to people familiar with the matter the WSJ reported, however in recent discussions they had considered whether it would be best for both Pascal and the company to renew her contract.
Under a four-year producing deal, underwritten by a multi-million dollar annual budget, Pascal will have the discretion to develop new film, television and theatre projects, the WSJ reported.
