'The Players' Tourney: Final Four
The ultimate showdown — Walt Disney vs. Netflix — and then the two most sure-fire box-office directors of all time in Spielberg vs. Cameron
Who would have guessed that in our GOAT bracket we’re headed for a studio chief versus a director in the ultimate showdown? Not me! But here we are. Walt Disney and Netflix cofounder Reed Hastings and his creative partner (and CEO successor) Ted Sarandos faceoff today in one semifinal to settle once and for all (well, for the moment) which entertainment giant reigns supreme and has had the greatest impact in defining modern-day Hollywood. Then, in a surprise, A++ directors Steven Spielberg and James Cameron — who of course are among the most entrepreneurial filmmakers in history — meet in the other semi. Think we’re headed for a couple of appropriately epic matchups today.
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Old Hollywood vs. 2010s-Now Semifinal
Ever since 2017 and Bob Iger’s announcement that Disney would launch its own streaming service, it became clear that the future of entertainment could be framed as: Would Disney become Netflix before Netflix became Disney? That remains unresolved, with Disney+ not yet profitable and Netflix’s forays into consumer goods and live experiences still nascent. In the Elite Eight, you all voted for Hastings and Sarandos over Iger; can the duo keep steamrolling the House of Mouse?
Easy Riders, Raging Bulls vs. Big IP Era
Take a moment and check out the box-office track records of Steven Spielberg and James Cameron. Or listen to the great Blockbuster podcast seasons on each director. When you’re able to put your jaw back where it belongs, hit the button below.
PHOTO CREDITS Hastings/Sarandos: Kevin Winter/Getty Images for AFI; Disney: Raymond Kleboe/Picture Post/Hulton Archive/Getty Images; Cameron: Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images; Spielberg: Willam Stevens/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images.