Mark Canton Resigns at Warner Bros.

In a long-expected move that could lead to other high-level changes in Hollywood, Mark Canton has resigned as executive vice president of worldwide movie production at Warner Bros.

Canton--who oversaw production on such hits as “Batman” and “Lethal Weapon”--will formally leave the company today. Warner Chairman Robert Daly said that Canton’s job has been eliminated and that movie production chief Bruce Berman has assumed his duties.

Though he declined comment on his plans, Canton is rumored to be headed to Sony Pictures Entertainment as a top-level executive or as head of Jon Peters’ Sony-based movie production company. Asked about Canton, Daly replied: “I have no idea what he is going to do.”

Canton’s exit has been anticipated for months. Industry sources say he was unhappy with his duties at Warner Bros., where he was being groomed for more corporate-level responsibilities after working for years as the hands-on motion picture production chief.

The 42-year-old executive’s longtime friendship with Sony Pictures Chairman Peter Guber and former Co-chairman Peters fueled speculation that he would land at Sony. Sony has denied having discussions with Canton. The issue is especially sensitive since a bitter lawsuit ensued when Sony earlier hired Guber and Peters away from Warner. Settlement of that dispute is expected to cost Sony $500 million.

One source said Sony may even have to seek a waiver from Warner Bros. if it wants to hire Canton, since the Guber-Peters settlement prohibits Sony from recruiting other Warner Bros. executives.

In line with the Sony speculation, one persistent rumor--which some people say is being fed by Peters--has Canton replacing Columbia Pictures chief Frank Price. Some talent agents have even stopped doing business with Price in the belief that he is on the way out, sources say.

But the 61-year-old Price appears determined to remain in power. Despite his reputation for a plodding style, Price’s position at the studio was strengthened by his decision to make “Boyz N The Hood,” a box office hit that received widespread critical acclaim this summer.

Others speculate that Canton may run the Guber-Peters Entertainment Co., which Sony acquired when it recruited Guber and Peters in 1989.

The company, housed on Sony’s Culver City lot alongside Columbia Pictures and TriStar Pictures, has become a receptacle for some of Guber’s pet projects.

Canton had 15 months remaining on his Warner Bros contract. Warner has a reputation for holding its executives to such agreements, but sources said the studio finally decided that it was mutually beneficial to let Canton go because of his well-known dissatisfaction.

Canton joined Warner in 1980 as vice president of production. He became senior vice president of production in 1983 and was named president of worldwide theatrical production in 1985.

Daly said the parting with Canton was amicable.

“As far as Mark’s concerned, he’s a friend,” Daly said. “I wish him the best.”