puck.news/newsletter_content/what-im-hearing-ellisons-pitch-sydney-on-the-move-the-glen-powell-paradox

"Runner-up: David Zaslav, who managed to get his contract altered again to ensure his stock options vest even in the event of an unorthodox purchase of the company.

A little more on this…

There’s so much anxiety over the sale of Warner Bros. and the painful contraction coming to Hollywood… but I’m sure we’re all mostly stressing over whether David Zaslav will get paid. Thankfully, the Warner Discovery C.E.O. found time to take care of that issue last week, amending his enormous compensation package to ensure he’s duly rewarded for additional dispositions of the Warner and Discovery assets that he smashed together to leverage the 100-year legacy of the former and prolong for a few years the collapse of the latter.

Curiously, the changes now reward Zaz for executing a transaction via a “reverse spinoff,” the exact type of structure that Comcast is reportedly considering for its planned bid for the Studios and Streaming side of Warner Discovery. To that end, rumors and accusations of who will or won’t (and should or shouldn’t) bid on Warners have been flying ahead of Thursday’s initial deadline to submit offers.

Comcast is planning to pursue Studios and Streaming, but… With whose money?, the whisperers ask. After I reported on C.E.O. Brian Roberts’s recent trip to Saudi Arabia, some are speculating that the partner will be the kingdom’s Public Investment Fund, or another deep-pocketed backer from the Middle East. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is coming to D.C. on Wednesday for his first quasi-state dinner since the Jamal Khashoggi murder. Might the guest list include Roberts, or Paramount’s Larry and/or David Ellison? Oracle has tons of business in the kingdom.

Netflix also is expected to bid, which drew a harshly worded letter from Republican congressman Darrell Issa to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi and regulators. Then today, G.O.P. Senator Roger Marshall sent his own letter mirroring Issa’s. They ask why the dominant streamer should be allowed to ingest HBO Max, and argue the merger would “diminish incentives to produce new content and major theatrical releases—evidenced by Netflix’s own statements dismissing movie theatres as ‘outdated’—which could undermine opportunities for the full range of industry professionals both in front of and behind the camera.”

Netflix is disputing some of the facts in the Issa letter. And, of course, by focusing on one company and not the antitrust problems of, say, Paramount owning two of the five remaining legacy studios, the Republicans may just be parroting the Ellison talking points and pushing Trump’s plan to deliver Warner Bros. to the president’s buddy Larry and his “great” son, David. There are no heroes here.

Meanwhile, back on the Warners lot, Ellison and the Paramount crew made their so-called “reverse management presentation” to the Zaslav team today. That’s where suitors explain their vision for the company, why they want to buy it, and how their plans are better than others. Remember, Zaslav & Co. presented their wares to Ellison last week.

It all sounds so pleasant until you remember Zaslav is doing everything he can to prevent Ellison from taking over. But even if both Netflix and Comcast join the auction party this week, Paramount is still the only known suitor willing to take the whole of Warner Discovery, not just the good parts. (As a result of our recent acquisition of Air Mail, Zaslav has become a de minimis investor in Puck.)"

In short, Zaslav may be against Paramount, Saudi Arabia is either going to go in for themselves, with Comcast, or with Paramount. The government seems to be against Netflix, Comcast/Universal deal would be the most beneficial to Zaslav

It’s over

So this is the best option it looks like?

Hollywood seems to be going into the gutter.. hopefully the independent scene explodes in the next decade... that's where all the creativity will be

does the US government do anything beyond hand wringing

This fear bait is so funny. Gunn not going anywhere lol

It would be an unbelievably cruel punishment making us watch Gal as Wonder Woman again.

Good

Naw lol I don't think gunn getting fired and I doubt zack wants his job anyways.
Zack just wants to finish his arc and I believe he'll get the opportunity

You think it being an Elseworlds thing is realistic?

Yeah for sure I think the activity on zacks ig shows there is still heavy demand for it and everybody in zacks crew still seems to be down to come back
Chris terrio and affleck already said they are down to return if it's ever a possibility
Even Larry fong is posting snyderverse s*** for the first time in years and liking #restore comments when he never has before.
Cavills superman announcement posts on IG ratio'd tf out of anything gunn ever posted
and Gunns superman underperforming didn't help the case of keeping the snyderverse dead

“Underperforming” meanwhile everywhere they say it’s a success and they’re happy with it. Made $100m+ on demand.

Snyderverse is dead when will this s*** stop lol

Ratio’d? You’re the perfect example of the brain dead Zack fan. Cast says they’re done. Everyone moved on for almost like 8 years now. Says it ratio’d anything without bothering to look. Get help. We don’t want “don’t me too me” Cavill playing a kid beloved hero.

Keep coping bud you’re good at it

Cavills post not zacks dummy
Go look at cavills black adam post

Tickets are double what they were in 2013 and it still made less then man of steel