Tony Gilroy: Studio Mergers Threaten Hollywood's "Healthy Business"
Tony Gilroy: Studio Mergers Threaten Hollywood's "Healthy Business"
“Andor” creator Tony Gilroy powerfully criticizes the Paramount-Warner Bros. merger at his new film's premiere, calling it a “tragic” threat to cinema’s soul. Discover why filmmakers are worried.
Filmmaker Tony Gilroy, renowned for his acclaimed work on “Andor” and the Bourne franchise, openly expressed deep concerns about the impending Paramount-Warner Bros. merger at the world premiere of his new film, “Behemoth!” Speaking passionately at the 64th New York Film Festival, Gilroy branded the consolidation as “tragic,” warning it could “destroy” a crucial, vibrant part of the film industry in the name of venture capital. Gilroy's “Behemoth!”, a mid-budget, adult-oriented drama starring Pedro Pascal, embodies the type of cinematic project he believes is increasingly at risk.
This genre, he highlighted, once served as the bedrock of Hollywood's theatrical business and enabled countless filmmakers, including himself, to establish their careers. He articulated his frustration, noting that despite a flourishing audience eagerly consuming content - evidenced by conversations like “Did you see this? Did you see that?
What episode are you on?” - the foundational structure that sustains this business is being systematically dismantled.
The merger, slated to place both historic studios under the new Skydance umbrella, will effectively reduce Hollywood's traditional "Big Five" studios to just four major corporate entities.
While David Ellison of Skydance asserts that Paramount and Warner Bros. will retain their individual identities, many industry figures, including “Behemoth!” producer Sanne Wohlenberg, echo Gilroy's apprehension. Wohlenberg voiced fears that such consolidation will drastically limit creative opportunities and possibilities for filmmakers. Despite the turbulent industry landscape, Gilroy found a beacon of hope in the New York Film Festival itself.
He lauded the festival's elegant curation and its impressive lineup, describing it as a "thank you" amidst the pervasive uncertainty.
He also extended gratitude to Searchlight Pictures for backing “Behemoth!”, acknowledging the challenges in greenlighting and selling such a film.
Yet, he proudly stated they brought it to the festival “calmly, gracefully, no drama, and our joie de vivre intact.” His candid remarks underscore a profound concern for the future of diverse storytelling and independent artistic vision in an increasingly corporatized Hollywood. #HollywoodMergers #TonyGilroy #FilmIndustry #NYFF64
