In a becoming solution to conclude a horrible 12 months for the leisure industries, we have realized that Warner Bros. Discovery may probably merge with Paramount World.
Axios shared the inside track proper earlier than the Christmas break, outlining what Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav (arguably one of many most-hated wealthy guys on the planet proper now) and Paramount World CEO Bob Bakish may need mentioned. The ensuing Frankenstein’d media behemoth may increase Paramount’s franchises due to WBD’s “worldwide distribution footprint” and pack yet one more streaming service that mixed Warner Bros. and Paramount’s choices.
In fact, that is all simply the beginning of talks that can in all probability proceed nicely into 2024, whatever the ultimate final result. It is also vital to notice that “WBD’s market worth was round $29 billion as of Wednesday, whereas Paramount’s was simply over $10 billion.” This implies the merger wouldn’t be as easy as one would possibly assume. The mixture would take us additional into the uncharted territory of abhorrent trade consolidation.
The complete Warner Bros. Discovery saga has been nothing however a shitshow to date, ensuing within the axing of flicks and reveals for tax write-offs, powerhouse franchises transferring to rival streaming companies for fast money, and the once-recognizable HBO Max model being was simply Max and having an id disaster. The corporate is fortunate, nonetheless, to nonetheless have proficient filmmakers comparable to Greta Gerwig placing out great things below their banner although.
The gaming facet of issues is not trying a lot brighter both, with Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League marking the beginning of a promised give attention to extra (and greater) live-service titles primarily based on WBD’s largest IPs, which is a daring assertion to make when you may’t even get a religious successor to the Batman: Arkham video games proper and the live-service bubble is already bursting in all places.
However hey, comedian e book followers who make manufacturers their entire persona would possibly lastly get a Batman x Ninja Turtles live-action film or one thing.
