It happened. Paramount-WBD cleared its last major legal obstacle this week — and almost immediately, the battle over what comes next began.
- Lesley Goldberg mapped the brutal executive showdowns ahead — and four other dilemmas facing the new company:
- Sean McNulty broke down how little David Ellison actually conceded — and where the pain is likely to land first:
- Richard Rushfield challenged Ellison to keep his promises to Hollywood — and, with antitrust expert Matt Stoller, examined the deal’s shocking unenforceability and escape hatches:
- And on Ankler Agenda, Mike Schur unloaded on the deal and what he sees coming down the road for writers and the industry:
But Paramount-WBD wasn’t the only power struggle this week.
Disney employees got an ominous warning about becoming a “much smaller organization.” A24, fresh off the biggest hit in its history, decided it wants theater terms more like a major studio’s. And Ari Emanuel published his memoir — which Richard Rushfield deliciously dissects and fillets.
One programming note: We’ve signed on as an official media partner for Infinity Festival Hollywood, Nov. 12-15, which brings together top leaders in entertainment and tech. We’re also partnering for our third year with the Montclair Film Festival, Oct. 16-25.
Now on to the best of the week. Don’t miss our superhero power ranking — devour and debate!
Richard Rushfield
↑ Roll the Eyes: The Destructive Tao of Ari Emanuel There’s no one whose worldview Richard would rather hear. But the relentless dealmaker’s gospel of infinite scale makes Richard gag more than Ari’s breakfast worms.
Series Business
↑ SCOOP: U.S. Film and TV Credit Likely Lands in House Thursday Elaine Low learned when the bill for a federal production tax credit would finally be introduced — and outlined everything at stake for the new legislation.
TV in 3: Leaked Disney Memo Warns of ‘Much Smaller Organization’ Stop “clinging to the [old] way,” says an ominous email reviewed by Lesley. Plus: Netflix’s new YA star showrunner; Nkechi Okoro Carroll as All American ends
Crowd Pleaser
↑ A24 Hit Big With Backrooms. Then It Picked a Fight With Theaters Indies ask for only 40 to 45 percent of ticket sales. But A24 isn’t acting like an indie anymore. Matthew Frank reveals the studio’s new price point — and the theaters pushing back.
Hero Hierarchy
↑ The Definitive Superhero Power Ranking: Hollywood’s 67 Most Valuable Characters Box office, multipliers, streaming minutes, theme parks: From the MCU to DC, Adam B. Vary crunches numbers on who’s flying — and whose capes are getting crushed.
Reel AI
↑ Reality TV Trashes 99% of Footage. AI Can Turn It Into More TV Summer House to Scandoval scandals erupt in real time. Erik Barmack unpacks the new platform that wants to feed obsessive fans in the moment.
Prestige Junkie
↑ John Wilson Made HBO’s Weirdest Hit. Now He’s Taken It to the Big Screen The History of Concrete director tells Katey Rich how he made his first feature his way.
Plus, La Bola Negra filmmakers Javier Ambrossi and Javier Calvo (aka Los Javis) take Katey inside their breakthrough movie and how they ended up working together again after splitting up:
The Wakeup
Sean followed the Paramount ripples through the week and looked at how Sony — after its boffo Resident Evil opening weekend — is leveraging Gen Z talent on a slew of future projects:
Friday → ☀️ SONY’s New Box Office Bet: Gen Z Stars
Thursday → ☀️ Elon Enters the PAR-Verse; YOUTUBE Pushes More AI
Wednesday → ☀️ NETFLIX Hits ’26 Film Low Point
Monday → ☀️ Paramount Settles: What Did Ellison Actually Give Up
Sunday → ☀️ Zach Cregger’s Resident Evil: The Scary Good Numbers
Podcasts
Ankler Agenda
Elaine, Sean and Lesley break down the settlement terms — loopholes, fine print and all — and what they mean for the future of Hollywood:
Shows
Monday Morning QBs
A hot director, a good property and a young lead. Sean and Christopher Rosen argue execs ought to take notes from Resident Evil:
Like & Subscribe
New from Natalie Jarvey’s creator economy newsletter:
↑ Jake Paul Takes Me Inside His $180M Venture Fund: ‘I Live, Breathe and Sleep This’
The Optionist
Andy Lewis’ latest IP picks:
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