Disney (and others) at the Box Office - Current State of Affairs

[Disney Irish]

And? I mean other than the fact he didn’t say anything new what did you expect him to say?

The real question is he willing to pony up more money, and if so how much more, if Paramount raises their bid even more? As I’ve said before, it’s show me Teddy not tell me.

Also if they had such a solid deal why even allow WBD to even reopen talks? For that matter why even change the original terms of the deal from cash and stock to all cash. Sounds like they are starting to feel the pressure on them as well and the grilling by Congress might have rattled him just a bit that they aren’t seen as the “better” option here and it’s not going to be smooth sailing as they first thought. And so they might be using this as an opportunity to get out of the deal.

 

[Disney Irish]

In Warner Merger Battle, Netflix Needs To Take “More Action” To Prove It Loves Movie Theaters, Cinemark CEO Says

Exhibitors are "apprehensive" about "placing too much stock" in Netflix's recent pledge to honor traditional theatrical release windows, Cinemark CEO Sean Gamble said Wednesday.

deadline.com

 

[Disney Analyst]

I’m really hoping the early chatter is true… might actually go to the theatres to support this one.

 

[DKampy]

I’m really hoping the early chatter is true… might actually go to the theatres to support this one.

I will be surprised if this down not do at least a mid level hit at minimum hit The trailers look fun and the concept seems like it would be enticing for the family demos

 

[coffeefan]

Matt asked better questions than the senators.

 

[MisterPenguin]

Matt asked better questions than the senators.

Does Matt not know he's mic'd?

 

[Disney Irish]

Just to show I'm being fair, here is some concern on the Paramount side that is being looked at in requests from Congress -

Senate Democrats Ask David Ellison To “Preserve Records” As They Threaten Investigation Of Paramount Contacts With Trump Over WB Bid

The senators fired off a letter to CEO David Ellison, asking him to preserve records.

deadline.com

And in an interesting turn of events, Mike Ireland (former Disney/20th Century exec) has left Paramount to go head up Warner Brothers Pictures production.

Mike Ireland Heads To Warner Bros Motion Picture Group As President Of Production

Former Paramount Pictures Motion Picture Group Chief Mike Ireland has been hired by Warner Bros Picture Group as President of Production.

deadline.com

Cameron has also come out against Netflix to Congress -

Famed director James Cameron sends scathing letter to antitrust lawmaker over Netflix-WBD deal

James Cameron, award-winning director known for "Avatar" and "Titanic," calls Netflix's proposed acquisition of WBD assets "disastrous" for theater business.

www.cnbc.com

 

[Disney Irish]

James Cameron Doesn’t Quite Tell Senator That Netflix Buying WB Is Cinema Equivalent Of Shuffling Deck Chairs On The Titanic, But Mega-Director Gets Pretty Close

James Cameron wrote a letter Sen. Mike Lee, chairman of the Senate antitrust subcommittee, saying a Netflix-Warner Bros deal would threaten movie theaters.

deadline.com

 

[Nevermore525]

Send Help became the first of the 2026 releases to cross $50M domestically. Should add 2 more to that list this weekend when Wuthering Heights and GOAT hit that mark.

 

[Disney Irish]

Paramount Clears A U.S. Antitrust Hurdle In Bid For Warner Bros. Discovery; Netflix Notes Rival Is “A Long Way” From Getting Regulatory Signoffs — Update

Paramount has cleared a 10-day waiting period after responding to a second request for information from the DOJ around its unsolicited offer for WBD.

deadline.com

 

[Wendy Pleakley]

Send Help became the first of the 2026 releases to cross $50M domestically. Should add 2 more to that list this weekend when Wuthering Heights and GOAT hit that mark.

This movie is a good example of the benefit of having lower budget releases instead of focusing on blockbusters all the time.

Theatrically, it turned out to be low risk and low reward, but there will always be those out of nowhere low budget films that become huge hits. Release enough of these and some will hit big.

Also, even if it's not a huge theatrical hit this seems like an easy money maker. It has well known stars and a director, and combined with the prestige of being a theatrical release, will no doubt do really good business in the digital sales market.

It's also a cost effective addition to the Disney+ library.

 

[Nevermore525]

This movie is a good example of the benefit of having lower budget releases instead of focusing on blockbusters all the time.

Theatrically, it turned out to be low risk and low reward, but there will always be those out of nowhere low budget films that become huge hits. Release enough of these and some will hit big.

Also, even if it's not a huge theatrical hit this seems like an easy money maker. It has well known stars and a director, and combined with the prestige of being a theatrical release, will no doubt do really good business in the digital sales market.

It's also a cost effective addition to the Disney+ library.

Yeah it may come a touch shy of break even at the box office, but PVOD and streaming revenue will make it all square during a typically slow period for movies.

 

[Disney Irish]

California Attorney General Says State Is Taking “Close Look” At Netflix Or Paramount Merger With Warner Bros. Amid Antitrust Concerns

Attorney General Rob Bonta said that his office will take a "close look" at the transaction.

deadline.com

 

[Andrew C]

California Attorney General Says State Is Taking “Close Look” At Netflix Or Paramount Merger With Warner Bros. Amid Antitrust Concerns

Attorney General Rob Bonta said that his office will take a "close look" at the transaction.

deadline.com

No one wants the state to be involved.

 

[Disney Irish]

No one wants the state to be involved.

No comment....

 

[coffeefan]

James Cameron Doesn’t Quite Tell Senator That Netflix Buying WB Is Cinema Equivalent Of Shuffling Deck Chairs On The Titanic, But Mega-Director Gets Pretty Close

James Cameron wrote a letter Sen. Mike Lee, chairman of the Senate antitrust subcommittee, saying a Netflix-Warner Bros deal would threaten movie theaters.

deadline.com

Mark Ruffalo Fires Back at James Cameron After ‘Avatar’ Director Slammed Netflix-Warner Bros. Deal: ‘Are You Also Against the Monopolization That a Paramount Acquisition Would Create?’

Mark Ruffalo fired back at James Cameron after the 'Avatar' director said that Netflix buying Warner Bros. Discovery would be 'disastrous.'

variety.com

 

[Animaniac93-98]

This movie is a good example of the benefit of having lower budget releases instead of focusing on blockbusters all the time.

Theatrically, it turned out to be low risk and low reward, but there will always be those out of nowhere low budget films that become huge hits. Release enough of these and some will hit big.

Also, even if it's not a huge theatrical hit this seems like an easy money maker. It has well known stars and a director, and combined with the prestige of being a theatrical release, will no doubt do really good business in the digital sales market.

It's also a cost effective addition to the Disney+ library.

The movie was originally going to go straight to streaming and we know movies that get a theatrical release do better on steaming and POVD because of the added publicity, exposure and perceived superiority of a theatrical run.

It just makes sense to at least try.

 

[Disney Irish]

Mark Ruffalo Fires Back at James Cameron After ‘Avatar’ Director Slammed Netflix-Warner Bros. Deal: ‘Are You Also Against the Monopolization That a Paramount Acquisition Would Create?’

Mark Ruffalo fired back at James Cameron after the 'Avatar' director said that Netflix buying Warner Bros. Discovery would be 'disastrous.'

variety.com

People have different opinions, clearly Ruffalo’s is that no one should buy WBD, but that day has passed and not an option here. Someone will buy WBD, and of the two choices Cameron has decided that it’s worse for Netflix to own WBD, for which I agree.

While I applaud his attempt to sway the conversation back to no one should be buying WBD, but at this point he is asking the wrong question. So the real question of Ruffalo should be which of the two option available is better for Hollywood? Because clearly most in Hollywood have come out against Netflix, including theater owners.

 

[coffeefan]

People have different opinions, clearly Ruffalo’s is that no one should buy WBD, but that day has passed and not an option here. Someone will buy WBD, and of the two choices Cameron has decided that it’s worse for Netflix to own WBD, for which I agree.

While I applaud his attempt to sway the conversation back to no one should be buying WBD, but at this point he is asking the wrong question. So the real question of Ruffalo should be which of the two option available is better for Hollywood? Because clearly most in Hollywood have come out against Netflix, including theater owners.

It's still possible it could all get dragged out, and neither deal gets approved (or doesn't stick after approval).

Donald Trump Calls On Netflix To Fire Board Member Susan Rice Or “Pay The Consequences”

Trump threatened that the streamer would 'pay the consequences' as it seeks merger approval.

deadline.com

 

[Disney Irish]

It's still possible it could all get dragged out, and neither deal gets approved (or doesn't stick after approval).

Donald Trump Calls On Netflix To Fire Board Member Susan Rice Or “Pay The Consequences”

Trump threatened that the streamer would 'pay the consequences' as it seeks merger approval.

deadline.com

Not likely, even if it’s not these two it’ll be someone else, Apple, Amazon, etc. The day that Zaslov bought WB, is the day it ceased to be a viable independent studio. It was literally bought to be sold.

So even if this drags out a couple years, it’ll still happen even if it has to wait until there is another administration that doesn’t throw temper tantrums.