David Ellison
Reporting and statements that mention David Ellison.
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Hollywood still has time to avoid the gaming industry's disastrous consolidation endgame
The article draws parallels between Hollywood's historical consolidation and the current state of the gaming industry, highlighting the risks of fewer companies controlling more assets. It discusses the potential negative impacts of mergers, such as layoffs and reduced creative diversity, using examples like Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard and the proposed Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery deal. California's lawsuit to block the latter merger is presented as a potential regulatory intervention.
US States Are Trying to Stop Paramount Skydance From Owning Mortal Kombat (And Everything Else)
A coalition of 12 US state attorneys general is suing Paramount Skydance to block its proposed $111 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, citing violations of antitrust laws. The states argue the merger would stifle competition, reduce content quality, and harm movie theaters. Paramount Skydance contends the lawsuit misapplies antitrust laws and that the merger is necessary to compete with streaming giants like Netflix. The acquisition would also transfer ownership of Warner Bros. Games, including studios like NetherRealm Studios and Portkey Games, to Paramount Skydance.
Paramount Skydance Is Buying Mortal Kombat And Batman, But That’s Not All It’s Doing To Expand Its Gaming Footprint
Paramount Skydance is expanding its gaming footprint by establishing a new in-house studio, Paramount Games Studio, which will announce its first AAA title at Summer Game Fest. Existing studios Skydance Interactive and Skydance New Media will be integrated into the new entity. The company is also in the process of acquiring Warner Bros. Discovery's game portfolio, which includes major franchises.
Mark Ruffalo Klaim Hollywood Takut Tolak Merger Warner Bros-Paramount
Actor Mark Ruffalo claims many Hollywood figures are afraid to oppose the potential merger between Warner Bros. Discovery and Paramount due to fear of retaliation. He and Matt Stoller argue that this fear is a fundamental reason to block the deal, which they believe will lead to job losses, reduced opportunities for creators, and fewer choices for audiences. The article also mentions Paramount's acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery for $110 billion, with Netflix having withdrawn its competing offer.
Mortal Kombat, Batman, And Harry Potter Games Are One Step Closer To Being Owned By Paramount
Warner Bros. Discovery shareholders have voted to approve Paramount's $111 billion deal to acquire the company, which would bring franchises like Mortal Kombat, Batman, and Harry Potter under Paramount's ownership. While the acquisition is moving forward, investors rejected compensation packages for executives like CEO David Zaslav. The deal still faces regulatory hurdles.
Who Will Take One for the Team and Watch the Call of Duty Movie in June 2028?
The Call of Duty movie adaptation is set to be released worldwide on June 30, 2028. Producer Rob Kostich highlighted the involvement of Paramount CEO David Ellison, emphasizing a commitment to capturing the franchise's authenticity and epic scope. The film is expected to tell an original story within the Call of Duty universe.
Call Of Duty Movie - Everything We Know About The Activision/Paramount Film Coming In 2028
Paramount has announced a release date of June 30, 2028, for the Call of Duty movie, with Peter Berg directing and Taylor Sheridan writing. While the specific plot is undecided, Activision is considering fan input on whether to base the film on sub-brands like Modern Warfare or Black Ops, or create an entirely new story. This project marks a significant step forward after over a decade of development plans for a Call of Duty cinematic universe.
Teamsters urge DOJ to block Paramount's Warner Bros. merger
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters is urging the US Department of Justice to block the proposed merger between Paramount Global, Skydance Media, and Warner Bros. Discovery. The union cites concerns that the consolidation will lead to job losses and harm domestic production and labor standards. They are requesting enforceable commitments from Paramount and Skydance to protect workers and production before the deal can proceed.
US government reportedly debating whether to force Tencent to give up its US-based game holdings
The US government is reportedly considering forcing Tencent to divest its stakes in US and Finnish game companies due to national security concerns. Tencent holds significant shares in numerous major developers, raising fears of potential access to personal data of US citizens. This debate has been ongoing since 2020, with a recent meeting on the matter postponed.
Paramount makes no reference to game studios in first WB call to investors
Paramount held its first investor call following its acquisition of Warner Bros., but did not mention the gaming divisions of either company. Executives focused on consolidating assets and the impact on the entertainment industry, despite discussions of intellectual property that overlaps with Warner Bros. Games' core franchises. Warner Bros. Games recently announced a refocus on four key franchises: Hogwarts Legacy, Mortal Kombat, Game of Thrones, and DC.
Blink and you'll miss it: Paramount almost acknowledges the existence of Warner Bros. Games
Paramount Skydance's potential acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, which includes Warner Bros. Games, is moving forward after Netflix withdrew from the bidding war. The deal is expected to close in Q3 2026, though Paramount's executive team has largely overlooked the gaming division, mentioning it only briefly as part of "cutting-edge gaming and interactive content capabilities." CEO David Ellison stated that no divestitures of non-core assets are currently planned.
Netflix boss says Paramount acquisition of Warner Bros will result in "cuts in excess of $16 billion" within "18 months or so"
Netflix CEO Ted Sarandon stated that Paramount's acquisition of Warner Bros. will lead to significant cost-cutting exceeding $16 billion within approximately 18 months. This suggests that Warner Bros. Games studios, including TT Games and Rocksteady, will face scrutiny for cost-saving measures. Netflix withdrew its bid for Warner Bros. after Paramount increased its offer, securing a substantial breakup fee.
Paramount Could Own All These Warner Bros. Game Studios Soon
Paramount is reportedly in talks to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery's gaming assets, potentially gaining control of major studios like Avalanche Software, NetherRealm Studios, and Rocksteady Studios. This move could significantly expand Paramount's presence in the video game industry, which it has already touched upon with the upcoming Call of Duty movie.
The Warner Bros. acquisition: a timeline of events so far
Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) has been the subject of a bidding war between Paramount Skydance (PSKY) and Netflix, with PSKY ultimately acquiring the company for $31 per share in an all-cash deal. The acquisition process involved multiple revised offers, legal challenges, and negotiations, with WBD's board eventually deeming PSKY's proposal superior to Netflix's. The deal includes WBD's film studio, streaming businesses, and games division, but excludes its Global Networks.
Netflix's $82.7 billion deal to buy Warner has been dramatically gazumped by Paramount, to the tune of $111 billion
Paramount Skydance has submitted a $111 billion bid to acquire Warner Bros Discovery, significantly outbidding Netflix's previous $82.7 billion proposal. The deal, which includes Warner's gaming studios like Rocksteady and Avalanche, is facing regulatory scrutiny. The impact on Warner's gaming division remains uncertain.
