rewrite this title Paramount Promises To Release 30+ Films Annually Upon Acquiring Warner Bros: “We’re Going To Satisfy The Needs Of The Moviegoing Public”

Should Paramount succeed in acquiring Warner Bros, the combined studio will release more than 30 theatrical titles a year. This was Paramount CEO David Ellison’s promise during a phone presser following news of the conglom’s hostile takeover bid for Warner Bros Discovery.

Such words mean a tremendous amount to exhibition and some content creators in the industry who have been fearful about a Netflix-Warner Bros. marriage. Netflix co-CEO spoke about his commitment to theatrical if the streamer acquires Warner Bros, but he hopes to “evolve” the window to meet consumer’s demand for content. Netflix recently dropped the ball on the theatrical release for Rian Johnson’s threequel Wake Up Dead Man: Knives Out Mystery, failing to book the top three theater chains due to a lack of a 30 day window. The movie did substantially less in its limited release with over $4M in its 5-day Thanksgiving launch versus when Netflix had the chains on board for the franchise’s previous chapter, Glass Onion, in 2022 which grossed $13M+.

Said Ellison on the phoner this AM, “Including the Writer’s Guild of America have already issued a statement that a deal must be blocked. Hollywood legends, like James Cameron and Jane Fondant have spoken out, describing the (Netflix) deal as a disaster for theatrical films. Paramount’s proposal provides vastly superior certainty and projections for WBD’s shareholders and the Hollywood community.”

“Paramount is committed to growing the film and TV output of both businesses, including a theatrical slate of 30 plus theatrical releases per year. We’re going to satisfy the needs of the moviegoing public,” he added.