The Ankler.

The Ankler.

Share this post

The Ankler.
The Ankler.
Christmas Coal for 6 Producers
Copy link
Facebook
Email
Notes
More
Entertainment Strategy Guy

Christmas Coal for 6 Producers

A24, LeBron and the Hollywood players who didn't justify their paydays or valuations in 2024

Entertainment Strategy Guy's avatar
Entertainment Strategy Guy
Dec 19, 2024
∙ Paid
13

Share this post

The Ankler.
The Ankler.
Christmas Coal for 6 Producers
Copy link
Facebook
Email
Notes
More
6
2
Share
LOW TIDE Amid the industry contraction, once-flush creators such as (from left) JJ Abrams, LeBron James, Taika Waititi and A24 (maker of Jesse Plemons’ starrer Civil War) can’t hide from their underperformance. (Photo illustration by Dawn Camner; image credits below)

Share

ESG’s data-driven analysis for paid subscribers appears every other Thursday. He recently wrote a caution defense of David Zaslav, how animation is making serious bank, almost no matter what, and 7 genres that could replace superheroes

When I think about the themes that define 2024 for me, one that stands out is overrated companies and creators. Yes, I am again playing the role of Hollywood’s anti-hype man, debunking the latest trends and industry consensus, but this is why I like writing for The Ankler, which has never been afraid to tell Hollywood what it needs to hear, even if it goes against the Tinseltown grain.

Hollywood has always had overhyped players, but this year, there have been several producers, distributors and creators whose valuations or paychecks have become glaringly misaligned with their performance. If you’re a production company or independent studio with one of the loftiest valuations of all time that any company in your category has ever received, someone has to stop and ask, “How have they really done in 2024?”

So I made a list.

This isn’t some idle exercise for me; this kind of assessment is essential to good strategy. Investors are doing this every day in the market, buying into undervalued companies based on research that indicates their stocks will go up and shorting stocks they think should go down. When a major asset manager like Vanguard invests in private companies, it routinely analyzes their value, marking it up or down. For every company or person I detail below, someone spent a ton of money buying into the hype, instead of looking at their track record. And it’s time for a downgrade.

As the streaming content bubble continues to shrink, I worry those producers and creatives who haven’t pulled their weight will feel the heat even more. To quote Warren Buffett’s famous line, “Only when the tide goes out do you discover who’s been swimming naked.”

In this issue, you’ll learn:

  • What Angel Studios forgot about successful faith-based films

  • Why A24 can’t yet justify how investors have priced it

  • How LeBron James’ SpringHill keeps shooting bricks

  • And why its merger partner, Fulwell 73, is unlikely to change that based on its own track record

  • What anyone buying a Taika Waititi project needs to keep in mind

  • Why JJ Abrams needs to return to being an active writer-director

Share

Get 10% off a group subscription

This post is for paid subscribers

Already a paid subscriber? Sign in
© 2025 Ankler Media
Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start writingGet the app
Substack is the home for great culture

Share

Copy link
Facebook
Email
Notes
More