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The Ankler

@theankler.bsky.social

1.8K followers 24 following 1.6K posts

The industry, unspun. theankler.com | instagram.com/theankler

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The Ankler @theankler.bsky.social · 14h

Netflix reportedly left the door open for Casey Bloys as David Ellison weighed his leadership options. Did that help Bloys beat Cindy Holland for the top job at Skydance? Lesley Goldberg reports on the Hollywood power struggle: mrf.lu/28Qnn

The Ankler @theankler.bsky.social · 15h

Sebastian Stan is “making friends with discomfort.” As his controversial new film ‘Fjord’ hits theaters, he explains why he gravitates toward provocative roles and believes we should “run towards our differences” mrf.lu/28CjF

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The Ankler @theankler.bsky.social · 17h

NETFLIX layoff talk builds / LETTERBOXD gets new interest / New Job List day

☀️ HBO's First Series Order in SKYDANCE Era - The Ankler

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The Ankler @theankler.bsky.social · 18h

Th-th-that's all folks: David Zaslav has officially departed WBD, outrageously richer than before. Richard Rushfield looks back on his tenure to develop rules for any mogul who will find themselves in the hot seat next: mrf.lu/28kZt

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The Ankler @theankler.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

As David Ellison takes control, a final goodbye to the former Warners boss — and the lessons to impart from his time on top

The Zaslav Rules - The Ankler

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The Ankler @theankler.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

Ari Emanuel's memoir 'Roll the Calls' debuted at No. 2 on the NYT bestseller list. But 'Publishers Weekly' left it off entirely after excessive bulk sales triggered a flag. Andy Lewis digs into the curious discrepancy: mrf.lu/2fnWL

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The Ankler @theankler.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

‘Roll the Calls’ hit No. 2 on the paper’s list. But ‘Publishers Weekly’ excluded it after BookScan flagged excessive bulk sales

Did Ari Emanuel Buy His Way Onto the ‘NYT’ Bestseller List? - The Ankler

The Ankler @theankler.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

NETFLIX gets more ‘Bridgerton’ / FILM NATION enlists Emmerich / ARTISTS EQUITY goes indie

☀️ SKYDANCE’s Stock Price Swoon; Q4 Streaming, Movies Outlook - The Ankler

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The Ankler @theankler.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

The Emmys are leaving broadcast TV for the first time in history, heading to Amazon Prime Video in 2027. With the Oscars moving to YouTube, Hollywood's biggest awards shows have entered a new era. Katey Rich on what comes next: mrf.lu/2fWnl

The Ankler @theankler.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

Paramount-WB has three TV studios. How long before they become one? On Ankler Agenda, Elaine Low explains why Skydance's promises to keep its studios separate may not survive financial reality mrf.lu/2f9zG

The Ankler @theankler.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

The co-CEOs are saying it all: more content, $6B in cuts and lower leverage. So how exactly does this work?

🎧 David Ellison's Promise to Outspend Netflix and Disney - The Ankler

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The Ankler @theankler.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

Dana Goldberg and Josh Greenstein have 30+ movies a year, eight labels and three animation divisions to manage while Skydance demands deep cuts. Matthew Frank assesses the near-impossible math facing Hollywood’s newest studio chiefs mrf.lu/2fXmQ

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The Ankler @theankler.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

The studio chiefs inherit nine labels, including three animation groups, crushing debt and 30 movies a year. Something’s gotta give

Dana Goldberg and Josh Greenstein’s Mission Impossible: Skydance Math - The Ankler

The Ankler @theankler.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

The brand chief tells me how the Mouse House is moving digital stars beyond marketing and into development, programming and more. Plus, a BuzzFeed creator scoop

Exclusive: Disney CMO Asad Ayaz Reveals New Creator Push - The Ankler

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The Ankler @theankler.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

Just 48 hours into the Skydance era, HBO is already spending while much of the new company braces for cuts. Lesley Goldberg reports on Casey Bloys’ early moves, looming layoffs and the big questions facing Paramount-WB: mrf.lu/2fg1V

The Ankler @theankler.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

Bloys' newly flush streamer sets it apart as insiders, agents, creatives on Ellison's terrible debt-driven decisions ahead

48 Hours: HBO Comes in Hot to Market — Even as Skydance Shudders - The Ankler

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The Ankler @theankler.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

Skydance has crippling amounts of debt to service...couldn't be a better time to give its execs raises, right? Sean McNulty breaks down who's making what: mrf.lu/2f0-3

The Ankler @theankler.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

David Ellison sees a future where AI lets Skydance test 15 or 20 versions of a movie before picking one. But with billions in debt, Erik Barmack says that future will start somewhere more immediate: cutting costs across the company mrf.lu/2f0kV

The Ankler @theankler.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

Skydance’s chief says the tech can test 15-20 versions of a film. But with $80B in debt, the revolution starts in the back office

David Ellison’s AI Plan: Make a Movie 20 Times. But First... - The Ankler

The Ankler @theankler.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

EXCLUSIVE: Disney is opening up its creator playbook. CMO Asad Ayaz lays out the company’s strategy for digital talent for the first time, including why Disney is making a bigger push now and where creators fit into its future mrf.lu/2fsY2

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The Ankler @theankler.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

On Oct. 15, join The Ankler and Pure Nonfiction in Culver City for Documentary Spotlight, an evening celebrating this season’s standout documentaries and the filmmakers behind them, hosted by Thom Powers. Request to attend: mrf.lu/2fstm

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The Ankler @theankler.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

Rosalind Eleazar has a rule after every audition: throw away the script and move on. Then came Chris Rock’s ‘Misty Green,’ the role she wanted badly enough to break her own ritual mrf.lu/2fRdz

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The Ankler @theankler.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

To land her Hollywood break in 'Misty Green,' the English actress had to try — and try again

🎧 Rosalind Eleazar on the 'Grueling' Auditions for Chris Rock's 'Misty Green' - The Ankler

The Ankler @theankler.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

Mike De Luca and Pam Abdy leave behind ‘Sinners,’ ‘Weapons,’ a Best Picture winner and plenty of franchise movies. So why are they the poster children for reckless spending on originals? Richard Rushfield digs into the record: mrf.lu/2fxWf

The Ankler @theankler.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

The rap on Mike & Pam? They spent too freely on movies that weren't 'Transformers.' The slate tells a very different story

Skydance's Original(s) Sin: Firing Its Hitmakers - The Ankler

The Ankler @theankler.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

Emmys get new streaming home / NFLX, CAA, BRILLSTEIN exec changes / 'Sicario 3' is a go

☀️ SKYDANCE Tightrope: Debt Tied to AI Economy - The Ankler

The Ankler @theankler.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

MIPCOM CANNES and The Ankler will present the inaugural Future of Entertainment Award to Dhar Mann

The Ankler-MIPCOM CANNES Future of Entertainment Award to Honor Dhar Mann - The Ankler

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The Ankler @theankler.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

SCOOP: Casey Bloys is sticking around for the Skydance era. Lesley Goldberg confirms the HBO and HBO Max chief has inked a new deal as he prepares to oversee direct-to-consumer across the combined Paramount-Warner operation: mrf.lu/2rWxp

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The Ankler @theankler.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Tom Cruise is still one of Hollywood’s biggest stars. But ‘Digger’s’ disastrous opening raises a tougher question: Can he actually open a movie without ‘Mission: Impossible’ or ‘Top Gun’? mrf.lu/2ryzG

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The Ankler @theankler.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

The $180M auteur gamble earned just $20 million worldwide as Warner Bros.’ standalone era comes to tough end

Tom Cruise’s ‘Digger’ Is a Bomb for the Ages - The Ankler

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The Ankler @theankler.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Paramount-WB will start with roughly $80B in debt, while its biggest hope for growth, streaming, may take until 2030 to pay off. Wall Street is giving the Ellisons far less time to prove this merger works: mrf.lu/2rB4Y

The Ankler @theankler.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

‘It has all the factors of what make a mega merger fail,’ as analysts see no room for error

Tick Tick: Skydance’s Debt Clock Is Spooking Wall Street - The Ankler

The Ankler @theankler.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

The Best Actress race is shaping up to be Julianne Moore for her barn-burner performance in 'The Debut' and a swathe of newcomers, international breakouts, and TV stars. Katey Rich surveys the field: mrf.lu/2rMml

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The Ankler @theankler.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Inde Navarrette leads a pack chasing the frontrunner

Best Actress Showdown: Julianne Moore vs. the Newcomers - The Ankler

The Ankler @theankler.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

SKYDANCE's big decisions for new TV, film heads / BLACK BEAR leadership change / SONY wants MBJ pic

☀️ WB's 'Digger' Disaster, AMAZON's 'Verity' Delivers - The Ankler

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The Ankler @theankler.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Plus: Richard's 20 books that explain Hollywood; the most A-list best actor race ever

Indie Film's Supply Crunch; Docs' 'Darwinian' Collapse; C-Suite Winter - The Ankler

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The Ankler @theankler.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Hollywood's next $12B market is lurking on your TV screen. David Eckstein sees how ambient programming, those hours-long fireplaces and nature scenes made to play in the background, is becoming a business for Samsung and YouTubers mrf.lu/20Pvc

The Ankler @theankler.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

PEACOCK sets ‘Fast & Furious’ series / NETFLIX’s new TV Comms leader / LGF + Chase Infiniti

☀️ Contagion: Studio Job Axings Spread - The Ankler

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The Ankler @theankler.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Thousands of Hollywood jobs could be on the line as Paramount and Warner Bros. combine. Enter Ynon Kreiz, Paramount’s new “execution" guy, who oversaw a 2,000-person layoff after taking over Mattel. Full Ankler Agenda episode: mrf.lu/20gHn

The Ankler @theankler.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Overnight, Ellison ushers in a new power structure. Plus: Disney swings the ax

🎧 Kreiz In, Bloys Wins: Paramount’s Head-Spinning New Order - The Ankler

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The Ankler @theankler.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

The 'Permanent Midnight' author on avoiding dying like a hamster, Philip Seymour Hoffman and the movies that got away

Jerry Stahl: 'I Write to Keep From Going Completely Insane' - The Ankler

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The Ankler @theankler.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Taylor Swift has tried for an Oscar nomination before. This time, her campaign has an A-list music video and praise from Tom Cruise. Katey Rich looks at Swift’s push to win over the Academy music branch: mrf.lu/200B6

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The Ankler @theankler.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

DISNEYFOX takes NETFLIX movie project / BLUM-ATOMIC sets co-financing deal / DIS Comms exec departs

☀️ PSKY New Co-CEO’s Track Record - The Ankler

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The Ankler @theankler.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

A.J. Gentile says Night Media owes him $743,988 in commissions. His fight with the management firm raises a much bigger question about the creator business: where does management end and talent agency work begin? mrf.lu/20mh2

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The Ankler @theankler.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Put down "Roll the Calls." Back away from "Behind the Castle Walls." If you really want to understand how Hollywood works, read Richard Rushfield's curriculum of the 20 books that explain it all: mrf.lu/20sd1

The Ankler @theankler.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Who's behind Jimmy Fallon's hit Peacock microdrama, and Lemonada's deal with pop-politics show 'The Moment LIVE'

Netflix Hiring Podcast Boss; Creator Goes Nuclear on Night Media - The Ankler

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The Ankler @theankler.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Nathan Fielder’s new film is the buzziest doc of the fall, but behind that breakout is a business in crisis. Addie Morfoot reports acclaimed docs are going unsold as streamers favor true crime, celebrities and built-in audiences mrf.lu/20krd

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The Ankler @theankler.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Sheila Nevins, Dawn Porter, Josh Braun and more tell me it started with the algorithm and finished with the White House

2 Million Viewers or Bust: Inside Documentary’s ‘Darwinian’ Collapse - The Ankler

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The Ankler @theankler.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Cindy Holland is out at Paramount, the first domino in a wave of cuts that could hit Hollywood’s C-suite especially hard. Lesley Goldberg reports on the harsh months ahead: mrf.lu/20ZW1

The Ankler @theankler.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Even long-surviving C-suiters won't escape the cuts

Cindy Holland Out: Who's Next as Hollywood Winter Arrives - The Ankler