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Last December, a regime change occurred in Hollywood, with longtime New Line Cinemas’ head Toby Emmerich landing a new gig as President of Warner Bros. The passing of power takes time — he’s apparently still figuring out what the office layout will be — and Emmerich’s effect on WB will become clearer moving forward. However, it does seem like the new man behind the big desk wants to make the studio’s operations leaner.

According to THR, Emmerich’s mandate may involve compartmentalizing WB’s slate, which means anything that’s not DC Films, Lego, or ‘Harry Potter’ would come under greater scrutiny. The plan would also involve slimming budgets down, and avoiding “auteur directors who want final cut” with the exceptions of the legendary Clint Eastwood and blockbuster titan Christopher Nolan, who both pretty much run the place. I’d imagine Ben Affleck would still able to do what he wants, as well. However, this likely means that the studio giving space and time to someone like Jeff Nichols to make “Midnight Special” isn’t going to happen again anytime soon.

READ MORE: Christopher Nolan Discusses IMAX Shooting & Newcomer Fionn Whitehead For ‘Dunkirk’

If you think this might cause filmmaking talent to balk at working with WB, you have to remember that very few directors in the industry command final cut. It’s a privilege granted only a select handful, and part of the reason why studios don’t hand out total creative control is, in the event there’s friction on a movie (see the ‘Han Solo’ movie, for example), they have options and input. With that in mind, there’s no reason WB won’t continue to attract A-list level filmmakers.

Regardless, it’s another indication that major studios prioritize money makers over developing artistic voices, but, when you’re just one part of a mega-conglomerate (AT&T is in the process of acquiring Time Warner), priorities change. But, in fairness, WB is still developing the adaptation of Donna Tartt‘s acclaimed “The Goldfinch,” with John Crowley (“Brooklyn“) to direct, so they’ll still have some prestige projects too.