EXCLUSIVE: Warner Bros Motion Pictures Group has named Erik Ellner to lead business affairs for the studio. We told you back at Thanksgiving that the studio’s President of Business Affairs, Steve Spira, was departing at the end of 2025.
The news about Ellner was just made official by studio co-chairs Michael De Luca and Pamela Abdy.
Ellner was key member of the MGM team during the duo’s tenure there, and he came over to work with them on the team led by Steve Spira in 2023.
Warner Bros had a fantastic year at the box office, becoming the first studio to cross $4 billion at the global box office (before Disney, which ultimately was No. 1 with $6B-plus), and finaled 2025 with $4.4B off hits such as A Minecraft Movie, Sinners, Superman, Weapons, Conjuring: Last Rites and more, +33% from 2024.
Below is De Luca and Abdy’s email to staff:
Team Motion Picture Group-
Happy New Year! As we embark on a new year, we wanted to share some important changes to our Business Affairs operations.
As some of you are aware, Steve Spira stepped down from his role leading Business Affairs across the Motion Picture Group at the end of 2025. We hope you join us in thanking Steve for his incredible contributions to Warner Bros. and wishing him well as he heads into a new chapter.
With Steve’s departure, we are pleased to announce Erik Ellner will now lead Business Affairs for the Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group. He has been a key member of this team since 2023, working alongside the formidable Tracy Myers, Dan Furie, Adrienne Moss and Laim Bogan executing deals across labels.
An alumnus of MGM before joining us in Burbank, Erik has been a trusted member of our team, and we are grateful for his continued partnership.
Please join us in congratulating Erik on his new role!
