LOS ANGELES: The Walt Disney Co. on Thursday named a top Warner Bros executive to head its studio operations, replacing ousted chief Rich Ross who resigned month after the massive box office flop “John Carter.”Alan Horn was named chairman of Walt Disney Studios effective June 11, heading up production, distribution and marketing for films from Disney, Pixar and Marvel, and marketing and distribution for DreamWorks Studios.

Horn was most recently president and chief operating officer of Warner Bros. Entertainment where he had oversight of theatrical and home entertainment operations.

Under Horn, Warner notched up several blockbusters including the “Harry Potter” films, two “Sherlock Holmes” movies and several “Batman” productions including “The Dark Knight.””Horn has been a prominent figure in the film and television industry overseeing creative executive teams responsible for some of the world's most successful entertainment properties including the Harry Potter film franchise and the hit television series 'Seinfeld' among others,” Disney said in a statement.

“Alan not only has an incredible wealth of knowledge and experience in the business, he has a true appreciation of movie making as both an art and a business,” said Disney chairman and chief executive Bob Iger.

“He's earned the respect of the industry for driving tremendous, sustained creative and financial success, and is also known and admired for his impeccable taste and integrity. He brings all of this to his new role leading our studio group, and I truly look forward to working with him.””John Carter” was made by Oscar-winning director Andrew Stanton about a Civil War veteran transplanted to Mars and cost an estimated $250 million, but was met with a chorus of derision from critics.

Horn will head Disney operations that include Pixar, which has the “Toy Story” and “Cars” franchises, and Marvel, which made “Iron Man” and “The Avengers,” a blockbuster which has raked in some $1.25 billion worldwide.