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In the latest shake-up at the struggling Weinstein Co., theatrical chief Tom Ortenberg is leaving the production company. Ortenberg, whose official title was president of theatrical films, spent just nine months at the company, which has struggled under a heavy debt load of more than $500 million and constant speculation that its future is in doubt.

In a statement, Ortenberg said he "asked for and was granted a release from my contract with the Weinstein Co. for personal reasons." His last day will be at the end of the month and he said he would son release an announcement on his future plans.

When he joined Weinstein Co. last January, Ortenberg told Company Town that it was an "opportune time" to come aboard. Prior to joining the studio, he spent 12 years at Lionsgate, most recently as president of theatrical films.

This will probably be a Friday to forget for the Weinstein Co. Not only is their president of theatrical films leaving, but the company's breach-of-contract lawsuit against the highly anticipated movie "Precious" was dismissed by a federal judge this afternoon. Weinstein Co. claimed it had distribution rights for the movie. For more on that, see John Horn's post in our sister blog The Big Picture.

On the plus side, we reported earlier that the company did sell "Inglourious Basterds" to TNT in a deal that could bring in as much as $15 million.

-- Joe Flint

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/entertainmentnewsbuzz/2009/09/ortenberg-exits-at-weinstein-co.html