David Ellison finally has his prize.
On Thursday, the Skydance Media founder closed the $8 billion merger with Paramount Global that he orchestrated, enduring political turbulence and skepticism about the viability of the company’s TV and movie empire for over a year. In order for the deal to pay off, Ellison, who will serve as chairman and CEO of the newly rechristened Paramount Skydance, must maintain strong partnerships with the creative community. Before the sale, Paramount has lacked the financial resources of competitors like Disney and Netflix, but it has been the home of top talent. Keeping them happy and busy cooking up ideas for new film, TV and streaming franchises will be critically important if Paramount Skydance wants to outmaneuver other studios.
On the film front, look for the new regime to try to maintain or even extend some crucial first-look deals as Josh Greenstein and Dana Goldberg, who will oversee the studio, try to reinvigorate Paramount’s film slate. These include Lorenzo di Bonaventura, the producer of the “Transformers” films and their spinoffs, as well as Neal H. Moritz, whose Original Films is behind the “Sonic the Hedgehog” franchise. Both series are among Paramount’s most popular properties. There are also two superstar filmmakers it’s important to keep happy — John Krasinski, who is preparing to write and direct “A Quiet Place Part III” for Paramount, as well as Parker Finn, the director of the studio’s “Smile” films, among its most profitable recent releases.
Ryan Reynolds, one of the few bankable stars remaining, has a first-look pact with the studio, which would love him to headline a few blockbusters, as does Kenya Barris, the creator of “Black-ish.” And though Damien Chazelle lost the studio millions of dollars with “Babylon,” he’s an Oscar-winning auteur, who Paramount would probably like to keep in the fold – Wild Chicken Productions, the company he runs with wife Olivia Hamilton, calls the studio its home. Its next project, an untitled prison drama with Cillian Murphy and Daniel Craig, will be distributed by Paramount.
On the TV side, Taylor Sheridan is easily the golden goose via the rich overall deal between MTV Entertainment Studios (soon to be redubbed Paramount TV Studios) and his Bosque Ranch Productions banner.
The Oscar-nominated writer recently wrapped up his hit Paramount Network series “Yellowstone” after five seasons and has already produced two prequels, with a third on the way. He’s also developing multiple spinoffs: one starring Cole Hauser and Kelly Reilly and another featuring Michelle Pfeiffer at Paramount+, plus a third led by Luke Grimes at CBS. On top of that, Sheridan has proved to be a reliable pipeline to Paramount+, heading up shows like “Mayor of Kingstown” (going into Season 4), “Tulsa King” (going into Season 3) and “Landman” (going into Season 2). There is also a “Tulsa King” spinoff set in New Orleans due to start shooting next year.
Trey Parker and Matt Stone and their Park County production company also just re-upped their deal with Paramount to keep “South Park” on the air for a further five years. The deal, reportedly valued at $1.5 billion, not only secured another 50 episodes of the beloved Comedy Central series, but finally saw it bring its library and all new episodes to Paramount+.
Under CBS Studios, Robert & Michelle King continue to be reliable hitmakers via King Size Productions. The husband-and-wife duo currently have the well-received “Good Wife” spinoff “Elsbeth” at CBS, with that show going into its third season. They are also eying a series order for the legal drama “Cupertino” at CBS, with that project having recently cast Mike Colter in a lead role.
Jennie Snyder Urman and Sutton Street Productions currently oversee the CBS reboot of “Matlock” starring Kathy Bates, which recently netted Bates an Emmy nomination for best actress in a drama series.
Then there is Alex Kurtzman and Secret Hideout, which is in charge of the “Star Trek” TV franchise. While the company has produced a number of new “Trek” shows over the last decade, there are currently two — “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds” and “Star Trek: Starfleet Academy.” “Strange New Worlds” is currently airing its third season and has already been renewed through its fifth and final season. “Starfleet Academy” is expected to premiere in 2026 and has been renewed for Season 2.
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