Tom Rothman named co-chairman of Sony Pictures, replacing Amy Pascal, who left after hacking

Former 20th Century Fox chief Tom Rothman has been named co-chairman of Sony Pictures Entertainment, replacing the recently departed Amy Pascal.

Sony Pictures co-chairman and chief executive Michael Lynton announced Rothman's promotion Tuesday. Since 2013, Rothman has been running TriStar Productions at Sony.

In more than a decade running Fox Filmed Entertainment, Rothman oversaw the two biggest box-office grossers ever: "Avatar" and "Titanic." In a statement, Lynton said Rothman "knows this business inside and out like few others do."

Rothman will oversee Sony's Motion Picture Group and report to Lynton, who remains chairman and CEO. Sony also announced that Lynton's contract has been extended.

Rothman succeeds longtime Sony chief Pascal, who exited earlier this month following the damaging hacking scandal. She is launching a major new production venture at Sony.