“Heroes” exec producer Tim Kring has dropped out of the show’s Screenwriting Expo panel this Saturday - but recently axed co-exec producers Jesse Alexander and Jeph Loeb will still take the stage.
Alexander and Loeb were let go earlier this month as part of a “Heroes” shakeup mandated by NBC and Universal Media Studios. That left Expo organizers wondering whether their “Heroes” panel - which was set to feature Kring, Alexander and Loeb - would go up in smoke.
Kring indeed wound up canceling - yet Alexander and Loeb, who had helped shepherd the show since season one, have confirmed that they still plan to attend, despite their recent exit.
Kring told Daily Variety he decided to drop out in order to keep the panel focused on what it was originally intended to be about - the show’s writing - rather than turn the discussion into something else.
“It’s a chance for Jesse and Jeph to tout their incredible participation and involvement and responsibility for the first three seasons of ‘Heroes,’ without me pulling the focus from that, given the course of recent events.” Kring said.
Kring said he didn’t discuss his decision with Alexander and Loeb, but opted out because “this was my sense of how it should be handled.”
An Expo organizer said the topic of Alexander’s and Loeb’s departure is sure to come up, but the panel’s focus will continue to be on the show’s writing.
