Walter Hamada has officially stepped down as the President of DC Films

Warner Bros Discovery has had quite a tumultuous year. With the new CEO David Zaslav in charge, he’s been overseeing a grand overhaul of programming and layoffs. On top of that, Zaslav has had to deal with public blowback on his controversial decision to shelve the nearly completed Batgirl film as well as moving forward with a Flash movie that stars a very liable actor, Ezra Miller.

The writing has been on the wall for DC Film president Walter Hamada. After being promoted to the position in 2018, he’s had to deal with accusations from Justice League actor Ray Fisher as well as the conflict with the new studio CEO. Deadline reports that Hamada has already left Burbank, California, where the studio resides, and is waiting for the finalization of the exit payout.

This news comes as the DC film Black Adam is set to make its premiere. The movie stars blockbuster superstar Dwayne Johnson and is projected to open with a $135 million take worldwide this weekend. Hamada’s contract was supposed to take him through to 2023. However, he knew he would probably not last since before the merger. When Zaslav took charge and started shaking things up, Hamada knew the new CEO was looking for a Kevin Feige to oversee the comic brand across all mediums.

Hamada will be the fifth executive in the Warner Bros film studio to depart since Zaslav took over. As the branding machine, Dwayne Johnson, stormed his marketing blitz for Black Adam, he described his passion for not only the character but the DC company. Being a business juggernaut himself, at the premiere, he was asked if he’d be interested in becoming the Kevin Feige for DC, but the former wrestler said he would be happy just to be an adviser.

In the meantime, DC has a slew of projects coming out as Zaslav continues looking for his Feige. With Black Adam, Shazam: Fury of the Gods, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, Joker 2, The Flash, and Blue Beetle, the comic book movie property will be moving along as it waits for its new leader.