Michael De Luca and Pam Abdy – co chairs and co-CEOs of Warner Bros. Motion Pictures Group, took the stage at CinemaCon at a potential crossroads for the storied studio, whose parent has a deal to sell itself to Paramount. They didn’t mention the pending deal, but recalled how they’ve built up the Warner from just six releases in 2022 when they arrived, to 11 last year with major hits from Sinners to One Battle After Another to Weapons.
“That is what committing to originality can get you. And that does not happen without all of you. We want to thank you for the incredible support that you have shown for our entire slate,” the duo told theater owners on stage at the big annual exhibition conference in Las Vegas.
“We have no intention of slowing down” production, De Luca said. “Now, it’s 14. And in 2027 we are hopefully looking at 18.”
Par CEO David Ellison has said he expects the merger to close in the third quarter but it’s kicked up an enormous backlash in the creative community which fears fewer films and TV shows and major job cuts. Over 1,000 creatives signed an open letter to that effect this week. The CinemaCon crowd is unhappy as well with the head of its host organization warning in remarks this morning of a dangerous consolidation of power.
Ellison has pushed back on critics, saying the industry has changed, promising a combined 30 movies a year and and to be a good steward.
There was speculation as to whether he’d appear in Vegas but seems not as the deal still needs approval by Warner Bros. Discovery shareholders and regulatory approvals overseas.
More to come
