Co-chairperson of Sony Pictures Entertainment, Amy Pascal, resigned from her post on Thursday after she was embroiled in a controversy since last November, when e-mails of thousands of employees were hacked.
She will now launch a new production venture at the studio in May.Â
Pascal has been one of the most powerful female studio executives in Hollywood. She has proved to be instrumental in turning Sony Pictures into a major brand in Hollywood.
In a news release – under her leadership the studio ‘has amassed over $46 billion in global theatrical box office, 315 academy award nominations, 212 golden globe nominations and 115 number one openings.’
Although neither Pascal nor Sony mentioned the cyber-attack, it is being widely speculated that the content that was discovered from Pascal’s account is what prompted the move.
The cyber-attack revealed she had made critical comments about leading Hollywood personalities.
There was a huge controversy over the comments that she made about Angelina Jolie and casual racist humour about President Barack Obama, which she had allegedly shared with producer Scott Rudin.
Pascal later apologised for the comments made, taking responsibility for everything she said. She also reiterated that it did not define her as a person.
The cyber-attack culminated in Sony suspending the release of the film “The Interviewâ€.
The attack escalated further, tuning into terror threats against theatres that were planning to screen the film. Â
Pascal’s current employment contract will end in March.
The production venture that she will launch will be financially backed by Sony for four years. These projects will encompass theatre, film and television.