Recent news surrounding David Ellison and Paramount Skydance has been consistently negative. He faces a significant challenge in reassuring an industry already worried about its future. Ellison’s decisions will affect a huge number of people, from Hollywood employees to audiences worldwide. Adding to the uncertainty, the planned takeover of Warner Bros. is facing difficulties, as funding from the Middle East – crucial to the $110 billion deal – is now uncertain. For weeks, everyone in Hollywood has been closely watching and reacting to every update from Paramount Skydance.
As a total cinema buff, I’ve been following the Warner Bros. Discovery and Paramount situation closely. Yesterday, Paramount’s Bob Bakish and Andy Gordon actually went to Warner Bros. headquarters to talk to around 200 of their executives – people from the film studio, TV division, and HBO Max. The meeting happened in their big theater on the Burbank lot. But from what I’m hearing, it didn’t go as well as Warner Bros. hoped. They know Paramount is trying to cut costs – at least $6 billion worth – but nobody’s quite sure where those cuts will land. Apparently, Bakish, who’s 42, addressed a lot of big names in the room, including Warner Bros. film heads Pamela Abdy and Mike De Luca, Channing Dugney who runs their TV group, Casey Bloys from HBO, JB Perrette overseeing streaming, and even Peter Safran who’s in charge of DC films.
InStar
During a presentation filled with general pleasantries and appreciation for the power of storytelling, David Ellison downplayed concerns about potential layoffs at Paramount Skydance. One executive expressed skepticism, telling The Hollywood Reporter they didn’t believe him. Ellison repeated his commitment to releasing 30 films in theaters from both studios – a point everyone already knew, though some were encouraged by his enthusiasm. Attendees were also relieved to hear he had no plans to significantly change CNN, assuring the network would maintain its independent editorial voice. Ellison appeared articulate and sincere, qualities suggesting he could be a successful leader in Hollywood.
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One executive shared with Variety that the recent discussions were reassuringly predictable. Larry Ellison, the new head of Paramount, intentionally avoided making any rash decisions, preferring to consult with leaders from both companies first. Even after the announcement of a merger between Paramount+ and HBO Max, Ellison emphasized a collaborative approach, aiming to leverage the best features of each streaming service. Many within Paramount are optimistic that Ellison’s appreciation for the studio’s past will guide him to protect both the physical studio space and its workforce. Recently, employees spotted Tom Cruise filming a documentary on the Melrose Avenue lot, celebrating the studio’s legacy and hinting at a positive future. However, it’s still too early to compare Ellison to Irving Thalberg, the legendary figure who helped MGM become a dominant force in Hollywood’s Golden Age.
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2026-03-11 19:17