Is everyone’s favorite (lol) CEO, Warner Bros. Discovery’s David Zaslav, planning on flipping Warner Bros. Studios in a couple of months?
According to a recent article by Variety, the spotlight falls on the flurry of deals orchestrated by Zaslav in recent months, particularly with high-profile figures like Tom Cruise and in anticipation of notable upcoming projects such as Joker: Folie à Deux
The crux of the article suggests that like a professional “Home Flipper” who makes some repairs and paints the exterior, these strategic maneuvers are part of Zaslav’s broader agenda to sell the company come April.
According to the entertainment industry outlet, “In April, Warner Bros. Discovery can entertain offers to buy, sell or merge with a studio like NBCUniversal, as many on the lot believe will happen. That’s when the two-year lock-up period expires as part of the 2022 deal that united WarnerMedia and Discovery. All of the recent moves, from a first-look pact with Margot Robbie’s LuckyChap to the quest to land Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer’s follow-up, are akin to painting a house before it hits the market.”
However, some of these moves have raised eyebrows among rival studios, with anonymous sources hinting at skepticism regarding the true motives behind the star-studded deals.
One undisclosed source commented, “The strategy at Warner Bros. right now and the reason they made some of these big star deals is they’re playing with other people’s money. They’re shopping for Quentin or Cruise with the notion they can use it as a shiny object that is going to be additive when Zaslav sells the company.”
The article also sheds light on some intriguing details, such as the staggering $200 million production budget allocated to the sequel of Joker: Folie à Deux, a stark contrast to the $60 million budget of its predecessor, which grossed over $1 billion at the box office.
Additionally, insights into other projects, like the $150 million-budgeted Mickey 17 and Maggie Gyllenhaal’s Frankenstein film, offer a glimpse into WBD’s ambitious slate.
REELated:
The most surprising revelation, however, centers on Todd Phillips’ Joker sequel, which boasts an extensive budget and promises a complete genre shift from its predecessor. With Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga leading the cast, alongside new additions like Brendan Gleeson and Catherine Keener, the film is poised to venture into uncharted territory within the DC universe.
As speculation swirls around WBD’s future, fueled by Zaslav’s calculated maneuvers, industry observers eagerly await the unfolding of events in April, anticipating potential shifts in the landscape of Hollywood’s major players.
What lies ahead for Warner Bros. Discovery and the broader entertainment industry remains to be seen, but the coming months are sure to be filled with anticipation and intrigue.
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