Scargate BV1
Since the dawn of journalism, the number of things to make a trend (piece) has stood at two. Which means, Hollywood’s got a trend a’happenin! Everybody get writing.
Two studios now have screwed up talent-wise, backend-wise the re-purposing of theatrical releases to streaming.
They aren’t actually two identical things there, sort of more similar than the same, so call it one and a half, but close enough! You can round up to a trend! Tech/businessy guys have taken the helm of entertainment conglomerates and are running roughshod over theatrical, infuriating Bryan Lourd in the process
Is this the end of everything? The beginning of something? The last gasp of the old world? The birth pains of a brave new one? Or just a couple things that happened in the eternal unfeeling void?
TLDR answer: Time will tell. Long-form answer: see below.
Reasons Why This is Nothing
• How many other actors are there who have been part of the Marvel Universe but are planning never to work with it or Disney again? If all of them got together and sued, they could share a tandem bicycle to get to the court date.
For a sense of how deep that bench goes, consider this paragraph from Variety:
“Guardians of the Galaxy” star Dave Bautista is the only Marvel actor to publicly comment on the situation, and Alec Baldwin supported #TeamScarlett on Twitter.
But two makes a trend! Even if the two are Dave Bautista and an Alec Baldwin Tweet.
• Backends are going away. This is a transition as old contracts are converted, some with more screaming and table-pounding, some with less. But the destination is the same.
• Nothing more satisfying than a Disney v. CAA battle, but once the bluster clears and the checks are finally written, the outcome is as predictable as Batman v. Superman. Is CAA going to refuse to work with Disney? Or vice versa?
• Not only does this happen in the context of deals evolving towards streaming regardless, it also happens in the context of a world where there are fewer stars (and they’re smaller). Five years from now, we might look at this moment and say, “Remember when there was this thing called “movie stars” and they had big public fights about their “backends”?
Reasons Why This Everything
• No drama is a big part of the Disney brand, as far as talent goes. DC was the one that had endless falling outs and finger-pointing on every project, while whatever bumps Marvel hit, were dealt with quietly and quickly with no one going around screaming they would never work here again. So much for that.
• The old Disney, circa say six months ago, understood that publicly calling one of your own stars “selfish” was not a battle that you were going to win. Or more to the point, was a battle that you lose by fighting.
This has been a sneak peek preview of today’s edition of The Ankler, the industry’s secret newsletter. To read the rest of this issue, subscribe today for just $10 a month and don’t miss out on who’s in the hot seat next!
IF YOU’RE NOT ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER, HERE’S WHAT YOU’RE MISSING IN THIS WEEK’S EDITIONS!
AMBEE REUPS!
A NEW KING FOR A NEW HOLLYWOOD?
WILL FEIGE BREAK THE TIE?!
AND SO MUCH MORE! SUBSCRIBE TODAY AND DON’T MISS OUT ALL THE NEWS THAT’S GOT HOLLYWOOD IN A TIZZY!
The Ankler’s Got People Talking!!
Talking the Streaming Era on Peter Kafka’s Recode Podcast!
If you are interested in advertising on the Ankler: write us at anklerads@gmail.com for rates and info.
Can’t afford The Ankler right now? If you’re an assistant, student, or getting your foot in the door of this industry, and want help navigating the craziness of this business but don’t have the money to spare right now, drop me a line at richard@theankler.com and we’ll work it out. No mogul or mogul-to-be left behind here at The Ankler.
Enjoy this issue? Why not click on the little heart below so it can surfaced to others in the Substack universe. Or better still – share it with the world!
