EXCLUSIVE: Former Paramount Pictures Motion Picture Group Chief Mike Ireland has been hired by Warner Bros Picture Group as President of Production. He will join Jesse Ehrman, Warner Bros current President of Production. Ireland will start next month.
In a note to staffers, Ehrman explained the hire as part of Warner Bros Motion Picture Group’s plan “to bring more stories to life than ever before, with 16+ theatrical releases annually that ignite imaginations worldwide.” The studio, after minting $4 billion plus worldwide last year (the first studio to cross that threshold), saw its ninth No. 1 opening in a row with the $83M global debut of Emerald Fennell’s Wuthering Heights, an industry-first opening streak.
Said Ireland in a note, “Joining Warner Bros. at this moment feels like being invited onto the 1927 Yankees — a team at the very top of its game. There is a real sense of purpose here and a shared belief in what great storytelling can do.”
Ireland arrived at Paramount in 2020 as President of Production from Disney’s 20th Century Studios. During his run on the Melrose Ave lot, he oversaw a creative and box office resurgence at the studio with new installments in such franchises as A Quiet Place, Scream, Sonic the Hedgehog, Transformers, as well as launching Dungeons & Dragons, and original fare such as Smile and Bob Marley: One Love.
Other highlights at Paramount included the Mission: Impossible movies Dead Reckoning and The Final Reckoning which combined grossed close to $1.2 billion. Ireland mined the Paramount library in unique ways with the musical hit Mean Girls, an early winter 2024 event title. In addition, he reignited big screen comedies, which have largely been dormant post Covid, with the reboot of Naked Gun starring Liam Neeson and Pamela Anderson, that pic grossing over $102M WW.
During his eight years prior at 20th Century, he shepherded such original event pics as Free Guy and Alita: Battle Angel. Before becoming a studio executive, he was a producer at Leonardo DiCaprio’s Appian Way. He began his career in television as an executive at MTV. Ireland attended film school at USC and graduated in 1999 with a degree in screenwriting.
Warner Bros Discovery has until Feb. 23 to engage with the David Ellison run Paramount on their bid for the Burbank, CA film and TV studio. Meanwhile, Warner Bros Discovery is holding a special meeting with shareholders on March 20 to vote on pending merger with Netflix. Warners unanimously encouraged stockholders to vote for the Netflix union.
The following internal emails were just sent to staff:
Subject: Shaping the Next Era of Warner Bros. Pictures
Team,
After an extraordinary year of storytelling triumphs under Pam and Mike’s leadership—where our films captured hearts, sparked conversations, and delivered both critical and commercial success—we’re ready to take an even bolder leap forward.
Our vision is clear: to bring more stories to life than ever before, with 16+ theatrical releases annually that ignite imaginations worldwide. This is not just about quantity—it’s about creating unforgettable experiences, building new franchises, and championing original voices that define the future of cinema.
To help lead this charge, I’m thrilled to welcome Michael Ireland as President of Production. With a proven track record of shaping beloved films and franchises, Michael brings creativity, passion, and vision that perfectly complement our slate.
Michael joins Warner Bros. next month from Paramount Pictures, where he served as Head of the Motion Picture Group after starting in 2020 as President of Production. During his tenure, he helped drive a creative and box office resurgence with franchises such as Mission: Impossible, A Quiet Place, Scream, Sonic the Hedgehog, Transformers, Dungeons & Dragons, The Naked Gun, and Mean Girls: The Musical, as well as original hits like Smile and Bob Marley: One Love. Previously, he spent eight years at 20th Century Fox overseeing projects including Free Guy and Alita: Battle Angel. Before becoming a studio executive, he produced at Leonardo DiCaprio’s Appian Way and began his career as an MTV television executive. A USC film school graduate, he earned his screenwriting degree in 1999.
Please join me in welcoming him to the Warner Bros. Pictures team.
Jesse
*****
Team,
Under Jesse’s continued leadership as President of Production, and with Michael joining him as President of Production, we’re building on our momentum with projects that span beloved franchises and bold originals—from a sequel to Minecraft and new chapters of Wonka, Gremlins and Oceans, to visionary collaborations with Alejandro Iñárritu, J.J. Abrams, Jonah Hill and others.
Together with Richard Brener at New Line Cinema, Bill Damaschke at Warner Bros. Pictures Animation, and Christian Parkes at our new specialty label, we’re setting the stage for an era of creativity and innovation that will resonate with global theatrical audiences everywhere.
We’re sharing a brief note from him below ahead of his arrival next month.
Thank you for your passion, your dedication, and your belief in the power of storytelling.
Pam & Mike
From Michael:
Joining Warner Bros. at this moment feels like being invited onto the 1927 Yankees — a team at the very top of its game. There is a real sense of purpose here and a shared belief in what great storytelling can do.
I’m genuinely excited to collaborate with Pam, Mike, and Jesse to help carry the studio’s momentum forward.
English (US) ·