Today, Amazon confirmed what the industry has long speculated: Jen Salke is stepping down as Head of Amazon MGM Studios, transitioning into a production deal with the studio she’s led since 2018. In her place? No one. Amazon is flattening its structure, with Courtenay Valenti and Vernon Sanders now reporting directly to Prime Video & Amazon MGM Studios boss Mike Hopkins.
Salke’s move ends a nearly seven-year run marked by a major studio merger, billions in content bets, and the broadening of Amazon’s once-niche entertainment brand into blockbuster territory. “When I look at the teams we’ve put in place, our amazing leaders, and the incredible slate of films and shows we’ve got in the pipeline, I realized now is that moment,” said Salke, announcing her new production shingle via a first-look TV and film deal with Amazon.
While Valenti will steer film and Sanders continues on the TV front, the company has no plans to appoint a new “studio head” — a notable shift in Amazon’s ongoing mission to streamline decision-making amid fierce competition and rising costs.
Salke’s tenure brought Prime Video some of its biggest series hits, including Reacher, Mr. & Mrs. Smith, The Boys, and the upcoming Fallout. On the film side, she championed everything from Sundance breakouts to high-gloss originals like Road House and The Idea of You. But megabudget swings like The Rings of Power and Citadel sparked internal debate on strategy and ROI, just as streamers across the board are reassessing their spend.
Her departure arrives during a pivotal moment: Amazon recently took creative control of the James Bond franchise and tapped Amy Pascal and David Heyman to produce 007’s next chapter. Meanwhile, the post-MGM merger roadmap is still being charted, with new theatrical ambitions and big IP now driving the studio’s film strategy.
Salke leaves behind a team stacked with Warner Bros. veterans and NBC alums — a crew she assembled to scale Amazon from indie disruptor to major studio player. With the reins now handed off and reporting lines tightened, Hollywood’s eyes are on how this next era of Amazon MGM Studios will unfold.
