“What once was the peak, is now just the beginning.”
David Ellison, current CEO of Paramount Skydance, revealed today on X that the combined entity of Paramount and Warner Bros. will be known as Skydance. Yes, that is the name of the production company Ellison founded in 2006, and honestly, it’s surely a much stronger name than the alternative, which would have been some weird amalgamation of Paramount and Warner Bros.
“We chose this name for a few important reasons,” Ellison wrote on X. “First and foremost, as we bring Paramount and Warner Bros. together, we wanted to preserve what has made each of these studios iconic. Both have distinct identities, extraordinary legacies and brands that have resonated with audiences for generations. We never wanted a new corporate identity to diminish, alter or overshadow either one. Instead, we wanted a name that would give the combined company an identity of its own while allowing Paramount and Warner Bros. — and all our extraordinary brands — to remain in the spotlight.”
A sizzle reel was also shared by Ellison, teasing what audiences can expect from the new Skydance. The company will have quite the catalogue of IP, channels, studios, and streaming services. It will indeed be quite the (debt-saddled) powerhouse.
Of course, a merger is nothing without some notable exits. Mike de Luca and Pam Abdy are reported to be exiting Warner Bros.’ film division once the merger is completed. Josh Greenstein and Dana Goldberg, who currently run Paramount, will instead oversee both studios.
According to Puck’s Matthew Belloni, current DC Studios heads James Gunn and Peter Safran “will be invited to stay on at DC, at least initially.” Their current deal is said to run through 2027.
That’s all for now.
What do you think of Skydance as the company name behind Paramount and Warner Bros.? Do you think Gunn and Safran will stay on as DC Studios heads?
The official ScreenAge Newsletter has arrived! Subscribe to receive a semi-regular round-up of all our exclusive content, including reviews, editorials, Top 100 lists, and more! C'mon, we know you want to venture further into the Wasteland with us!
