MUMBAI: Disney veteran Tony Chambers has been promoted to EVP of theatrical distribution. He’ll oversee both domestic and international film distribution as well as home entertainment.

Chambers replaces Cathleen Taff, who took over global distribution when Dave Hollis left in 2018. Taff is still working with Disney as production services, franchise management and multicultural engagement president. The new reorganisation which Disney underwent months ago puts more focus on streaming services, with the distribution side figuring out the better route for a film’s release: theatrical or Disney+.

Due to the Covid2019 pandemic Disney has already sent movie releases among others to its news streaming service. However, CEO Bob Chapek during the studio’s early December investor day indicated that Disney wasn’t going to turn its back on theatrical once things get back to normalcy; many of the big screen IP responsible for series being spawned on Disney+.

Chambers will report to platform distribution president Justin Connolly. Connolly reports to Disney media & entertainment distribution chairman Kareem Daniel.

He will oversee and integrate all distribution activities across theatrical and home entertainment, including domestic and international theatrical distribution of all films produced and released by Walt Disney Studios, Walt Disney Feature Animation, Pixar Animation Studio, Marvel Studios, Lucasfilm, 20th Century Studios, Blue Sky Studios and Searchlight Pictures.