Variety has just published a rather interesting piece on the deals Warner Bros. Discovery has been making in recent months, particularly with Tom Cruise and other notable upcoming projects.
The gist of the article is that these were all moves made by WBD CEO David Zaslav, who is looking to sell the company in April.
Per Variety, "In April, Warner Bros. Discovery can entertain offers to buy, sell or merge with a studio like NBCUniversal, as many on the lot believe will happen. That’s when the two-year lock-up period expires as part of the 2022 deal that united WarnerMedia and Discovery. All of the recent moves, from a first-look pact with Margot Robbie’s LuckyChap to the quest to land Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer” follow-up are akin to painting a house before it hits the market."
In contrast, some of the moves have been eyebrow-raising according to anonymous, rival studios.
Said one anonymous source, "The strategy at Warner Bros. right now and the reason they made some of these big star deals is they’re basically playing with other people’s money. They’re shopping for Quentin or Cruise with the notion they can use it as a shiny object that is going to be additive when Zaslav sells the company.”
Interestingly, the article reveals some interesting tidbits, such as the fact that Joker: Folie à Deux has a $200 million production budget, as opposed to the first film's $60 million. The first film grossed over $1 billion at the box office but with the sequel described as a musical, will it reach similar heights?
It was also revealed that the recently-delayed Mickey 17, from director Bong Joon-ho and starring Robert Pattinson has a budget of $150 million. Furthermore, WB executives are said to be less than enthused about the project, which could be why the film is being released in January.
Also touched on in the article is Maggie Gyllenhaal’s Frankenstein film, which stars Christian Bale and Jessie Buckley. The film will be set in the 1930s and was actually passed over by Netflix (they viewed the project as too risky) before it landed at WB.
The article's biggest surprise, though, has to do with the enormous budget WB granted filmmaker Todd Phillips for his Joker sequel. While it's clear that they're hoping for lightning striking twice, the sequel has been described as completely switching genres.
Additionally, Joaquin Phoenix is said to be pocketing $20 million for his return, while Lady Gaga's salary is reportedly $12 million.
According to Phillips, the first trailer for the sequel will arrive in mid-April, providing an opportunity to better gauge the film's box office prospects.
Apart from Joaquin Phoenix and Gaga, Joker 2 will include the return of Zazie Beetz as Sophie Dumond. Additionally, new cast members Brendan Gleeson, Catherine Keener, Jacob Lofland, and Harry Lawtey have joined the cast in unspecified roles.
The Joker sequel will be known as an Elseworlds project, per DC Studios co-chair James Gunn. Films given that distinction exist outside of the main DCU continuity. Other Elseword projects include Matt Reeves' The Batman Part II and Max Penguin series, and Ta-Nehisi Coates and J.J. Abrams' Superman film.
Do you think all of the controversial movies Zaslave has been making in recent months have been aligned with an overall goal to ultimately sell the studio in April? And if so, what company would you like to see acquire one of the "Big Five" studios? Let us know in the comment section below.