Disney has just announced that Miramax president Daniel Battsek is leaving the distribution company he has been president of for just four years. This announcement comes only a month after the news that Miramax’s parent company, Disney, is downsizing the division. Battsek will be leaving as of January 2010. The official announcement came from Disney Studios’ chairman Richard Ross, who only recently became chairman after Dick Cook’s unexpected departure from the position in September.

The original downsizing plan called for the elimination of nearly 50 jobs at Miramax, which would have left their New York office (and base of their operations) with a staff of around 20. But, in the wake of Battsek’s departure, word now comes that the entire New York office will be shuttered and all of Miramax’s operations will be moved to Disney headquarters in Burbank. Also part of the Miramax downsizing plan was the decision that the company’s slate would only include about three films a year.

Miramax’s upcoming slate includes the Jennifer Aniston comedy THE BASTER, Julie Taymor’s take on THE TEMPEST, and December’s Robert DeNiro-starrer, EVERYBODY’S FINE. Their award-winning filmography also includes some of the most critically acclaimed films of recent years, including DOUBT, THERE WILL BE BLOOD, GONE BABY GONE, NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN, and THE QUEEN.

Battsek became president of Miramax in 2005, when he was chosen by Disney to take over after Harvey and Bob Weinstein vacated their position as chairmen (after selling the company to Disney in 1993). Currently, it is unknown if Battsek’s position will be replaced, but with the current downsizing, it’s reasonable to believe that the job may be shifted on to the plate of another Disney exec to save money in the face of said downsizing.

Source The Hollywood Reporter