This seemed to be in the offing for a while, but it’s always disconcerting to hear of major upheaval at a Hollywood institution like Miramax. The studio is folding its New York office, while Daniel Battsek, who has headed the Weinstein brothers’ former empire since 2005, will leave the company in January.

Battsek announced the news in this rather terse email:

After further reflection and discussion about the change in direction for Miramax, Rich Ross and I have agreed that I will step down as President of Miramax, effective the end of January, 2010.

With this decision, we have also agreed that the best chance of success for Miramax is for the company to be located in Los Angeles, and I will work with the group on a transition plan.

I’m very proud of all the great work we have accomplished here at Miramax and equally proud of my overall career at Disney.

Studio politics isn’t really my field of expertise, but combined with Miramax’s recent drastic decision to reduce its number of releases to a paltry three films a year (including acquisitions), it’s safe to say things aren’t looking rosy. And to think, just two years ago, they were riding into awards season with “No Country for Old Men,” “There Will Be Blood” and “The Diving Bell and the Butterfly.”

indieWIRE has more.

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