Hollywood news banter: Disney continues to obliterate Fox

Emma Watts is stepping down from her role as chief of 20th Century Studios, less than a year after Disney completed its merger with Fox. The respected executive oversaw film production at the famous Fox studio, but now that it’s been absorbed by Disney, there’s less of a market for the adult dramas that Watts spearheaded. Watts was also one of the few top female executives at a major studio, and her departure leaves Disney without any women in top executive roles.

The coronavirus has wreaked havoc on the film industry in China. Lunar New Year is the most popular movie-going weekend in China, but this year, it brought in only $2 million compared to $500 million in 2019.