It is not clear whether Acuna was formally in the frame to take the job or how quickly Cineworld's new owners were seeking to make an appointment, the report said.

Cineworld declined to comment on the Sky News report, while Cinepolis did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The Financial Times said in June that Cineworld CEO Mooky Greidinger as well as his top management team will be paid up to $35 million combined to leave the company after it emerges from Chapter 11 proceedings.

The cinema chain operator, which appointed former Pepsi executive Eric Foss as its new chairman last week, said it is filing for administration in Britain and suspend trading on the London Stock Exchange as part of a restructuring plan to reduce its massive debt.

Cineworld had its debt restructuring plan approved in the United States as well, which involves the release of about $4.53 billion of the group's debt, a rights offering to raise gross proceeds of $800 million and the provision of $1.46 billion in new debt financing.

(Reporting by Rishabh Jaiswal in Bengaluru; Editing by Shailesh Kuber)