Paramount Skydance Is Preparing A Bid To Purchase Warner Bros. Discovery (And DC Studios)

Paramount Skydance Is Preparing A Bid To Purchase Warner Bros. Discovery (And DC Studios)

Just like Disney acquired 20th Century Fox, it seems another legendary studio will soon fall under another company's umbrella, as Paramount Skydance is preparing a bid to purchase Warner Bros. and DC.

By JoshWilding - Sep 11, 2025 03:09 PM EST
Filed Under: Other
Source: The Wall Street Journal

The Wall Street Journal has revealed that Paramount Skydance is preparing to make a majority cash bid for Warner Bros. Discovery. The Ellison family is backing these plans, and shares of Warner Bros. have surged by 30% (Paramount has increased by 7%) since the news broke.

It's said that the bid will be for the entire company, including its cable networks—like HBO—and the Warner Bros. Pictures movie studio. DC Studios also falls under that umbrella, of course.

This comes mere weeks after David Ellison's company Skydance bought Paramount Global for $8.4 billion. David is the son of billionaire Larry Ellison, and a Paramount/WBD merger would be a game-changer for Hollywood. Whether it would be for the best is debatable. 

The prospective deal highlights the escalating consolidation frenzy in the media landscape, with legacy giants scrambling to bulk up and bolster their streaming clout as TV audiences dwindle and content budgets soar.

Following Paramount's merger with Skydance Media, David Ellison is on a mission to supercharge the company's cinematic lineup and streaming goals while slashing costs and revamping the faltering Paramount+ platform.

The Ellison clan has been pivotal in bankrolling Skydance's growth. Industry insiders point out that snapping up Warner Bros Discovery would likely demand hefty private funding, considering the deal’s massive scope and the constraints of Paramount Skydance’s financial reserves.

What does this mean for DC Studios and the DCU? It's far too soon to say, but Paramount is lacking on big money franchises and down the line, we can probably expect some Transformers/Justice League comic book crossovers!

Yesterday, controversial Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav addressed the company's future and weighed in on the chatter surrounding streamers cracking down on password sharing. 

"We haven’t been pushing on the password sharing and the economics, yet. People are really starting to love HBO Max. That’s the key," he explained. "We want them to fall in love with our content, with our series, with the differentiated offering outside the U.S., and then over time, you know — and it’s a little tricky with the password sharing — we’re going to begin to push on that."

"I think our ability to raise prices as people become more and more in love with the quality that we have and the series that we have and the offering that we have," Zaslav added. 

The executive also confirmed that he expects the planned separation of the company to be completed by next year, noting, "We expect sometime in April that the companies will be split."

As always, stay tuned for updates as we have them.

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HashTagSwagg
HashTagSwagg - 9/11/2025, 3:07 PM
Gunn musta really f88ked up if WB is selling already.
lazlodaytona
lazlodaytona - 9/11/2025, 4:54 PM
@HashTagSwagg - why are so many random takes on this site's talkbacks so f'n ritarded?
Thanks for adding to it
jst5
jst5 - 9/11/2025, 5:01 PM
@HashTagSwagg - It was said months back when this was talking about that Ellison has told insiders he would never allow Gunn to have full control over what would be done with DC.

Bucky74
Bucky74 - 9/11/2025, 5:31 PM
@HashTagSwagg - The Gunn DCU may be done. Once the buy goes through, they will reevaluate the WB/DCU slate and look at the numbers. The odds of them being on the same page are questionable
HashTagSwagg
HashTagSwagg - 9/11/2025, 6:39 PM
@Bucky74 - User Comment Image
JDL
JDL - 9/11/2025, 7:00 PM
@HashTagSwagg - Just the opposite. If it was that bad they would be liquidating. Nobody with half a brain would try to sell a company that was in that bad a condition. What they would do is sell off the assets, pay off the creditors and go out of business.

WB is having a good year. That makes it less of a risk in a buyout.
Bucky74
Bucky74 - 9/11/2025, 8:31 PM
@HashTagSwagg - I commend you on the perfect use of that photo
captainwalker
captainwalker - 9/11/2025, 8:48 PM
@HashTagSwagg - Ha ha, so true. Take Alex Ross's depiction and put on film. Instant success.
joevseveryone
joevseveryone - 9/11/2025, 3:09 PM
Now THIS is why Thor was crying.
lazlodaytona
lazlodaytona - 9/11/2025, 4:52 PM
@joevseveryone - he wants the epic DC/MARVEL crossover.
I don't give a crap what the cinema landscape would be at any moment, the crossover event will at least make 3.8 billion.
Bucky74
Bucky74 - 9/11/2025, 5:32 PM
@joevseveryone - This may be why Thor is celebrating in the end of the ax Gunn’s DCU
Forthas
Forthas - 9/11/2025, 3:09 PM

FINALLY!!!!!

User Comment Image

If this goes through...it will be way past time to put an end to the dumbest and worst movie studio ever! For over a decade this company had the ability to put together the Dark Knight Trilogy and Man of Steel as the foundation for what could have been the single most epic superhero universe ever conceived...and for over a decade this studio has chosen to chase fools gold by continually trying to be Marvel 2.0. They got nothing from it but a divided fan base and perpetual embarrassment as a revolving door of executives, actors, producers and directors just repeated mistakes. Here is hoping that potentially new leadership can finally right this sinking (pretty much submerged) ship. If this goes through then there are three things that Paramount can do that will ensure they are the preeminent comic book movie studio

1) FIRE PETER SAFRAN AND JAMES GUNN!!!!!...and hire JONATHAN NOLAN to run a separate DC Studio. He is the only producer/writer that can compete with a Kevin Feige. Nolan is one of the co-writers of the greatest DC film ever the Dark Knight and has a spectacular record brining fantasy programs and films to life like Westworld, Fallout and Interstellar.
2) Bring to a quick end James Gunn's orgy-filled comedy farce of a superhero universe. It is an abject failure and a disgrace!
3) Bring back the most popular live action Batman in DC film history (Christian Bale)...pair him with the most popular Superman of this generation (Henry Cavill) and restart (as opposed to reboot) the DC film universe from Man of Steel and go forward using those films as a blueprint.
Rexotron
Rexotron - 9/11/2025, 3:14 PM
@Forthas - wow. All of those are not at all happening. Like not a shot in hell happening. But you do you.
Super12
Super12 - 9/11/2025, 3:26 PM
Hey @Forthas , what are your opinions on the Dark Knight and Man of Steel? Ever thought they might make a good franchise together? Really curious to know your thoughts...
Forthas
Forthas - 9/11/2025, 3:30 PM
@Super12 - I am glad you asked....

Like many franchises that have successfully revived their brand, DC should simply return to the point in time when they were most successful and start again from there. This was done successfully with Halloween (2018) Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2013), Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021) and Prey (2022) which were all films that ignored previous entries in the film franchise and breathed new life into their respective IP’s. DC can do the same and return to the formula that once made them great. This would restore trust in the brand and signal to the fan base that the studio is committed to quality films. In 2013 DC films was equal in terms of success to Marvel, but it was also distinct. Marvel represented a comedic and colorful take on the super hero genre, whereas DC represented a character driven adult and more epic approach. Beginning with Batman v Superman Warner Brothers embarked on an almost schizophrenic approach to its IP from a de-construction of its main heroes (Batman v Superman) to stylized dark comedy (Suicide Squad), to ultra fantastical (Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Wonder Woman 1984) to pure on comedy (Birds of Prey, Shazam, The Suicide Squad) and an amalgamation of all of the above ( Justice League). It was tonally all over the place. Yet in that time they had also managed release two additional offerings that emulated the films that first brought them to the pinnacle of success (Joker and The Batman). Both of these films were a return to adult character driven films that previous movies (Dark Knight Trilogy and Man of Steel) brought critical and financial success to Warner Brothers and made it a true rival to Marvel and both of these films were successful. Thus far NOT ONE grounded character driven DC film has lost money for the studio. This is a proven model that DC should emulate and make a permanent blueprint of its comic book films. Furthermore, Christian Bale’s turn as Batman and Henry Cavill’s Superman are extremely popular. Retaining these actors as these characters would encourage fans and does not risk alienation since fans have ALREADY embraced them. The narrative which fans are familiar with that has already been proven popular would build a nostalgic affinity for the DC Universe and its course correction. Instead of starting from 0 films DC would start with 4 as a foundation and build on the iconic characters that built up those films. In addition, narratively the emergence of Superman in Man of Steel fits with the ending of The Dark Knight Rises as the impetus for Bale’s Batman to return. For these numerous reasons, this is by far the best and most logical option and the one that has the least risk and best possibility for long term success for Warner Brothers.
Huskers
Huskers - 9/11/2025, 4:01 PM
@Forthas - 🤣 Shit Cavill and Snyder’s Superman was darker than Bale’s Batman! Not gonna happen.
Forthas
Forthas - 9/11/2025, 4:21 PM
@Huskers - Man of Steel WAS NOT DARK! That is why I am suggesting they start from Man of Steel and go from there! If it does not happen then we will continue to see failure after failure!
Super12
Super12 - 9/11/2025, 4:43 PM
@Forthas - Haha thanks man, its weird I've never heard you mention that before! Lol
FinnishDude
FinnishDude - 9/11/2025, 4:45 PM
@Forthas - If Cavill was so popular, why did every single movie with his Superman underperform?
Forthas
Forthas - 9/11/2025, 4:46 PM
@Super12 -

User Comment Image
Forthas
Forthas - 9/11/2025, 4:48 PM
@FinnishDude - Man of Steel did NOT underperform! Batman V Superman was not a good film and Justice League was ruined by Warner Brother's leadership.
lazlodaytona
lazlodaytona - 9/11/2025, 4:56 PM
@Forthas - I normally am interested in what you have to say, but your way-too-pointless post lost me at "FI....."
Forthas
Forthas - 9/11/2025, 5:06 PM
@lazlodaytona -


User Comment Image
McMurdo
McMurdo - 9/11/2025, 5:18 PM
@Forthas - I also enjoy fantasy.
lazlodaytona
lazlodaytona - 9/11/2025, 5:26 PM
@Forthas - You're correct. MoS wasn't dark. It was a tiring re-tread of the mythos.
I enjoyed the action like crazy and the fact Superman actually punched someone. Didn't even mind the destruction in Metropolis.
The Smallville fight is one of the greatest all-time comicbook fights and easily a top moment in the Superman big-screen legacy.

But.....
Superman was first introduced to the world by being arrested by the U.S. military. Wtf?
Reeve's Superman was introduced to the world instantly saving the day by rescuing Lois, the dude flying the helicopter, and the people below from being hurt from the crash.
He showed in mere minutes he was here to help the people and was absolutely NOTHING to be afraid of.

I like Snyder's approach. It was just WAY too dang early in starting a new universe. He never earned the full story of Supes eventually being controlled by Darkseid. This story comes out after Gunn's story is told? Hell yes it would be epic. But, there was no transition from Donner's hopeful hero to Snyder's take on Supes dark turn.
Forthas
Forthas - 9/11/2025, 6:03 PM
@lazlodaytona -

“It was a tiring re-tread of the mythos.”

I don’t know what origin film you saw, but MOS covered an immense amount of ground. In addition to providing a detailed explanation of Kryptonian politics, culture and history it brilliantly touched on things NONE of the others had ever even bothered to address including 1) showing why Clark hid his powers (it is alluded to in the Donner version but never explained) 2) it shows Clark actually saving people when he was a child which no other film has done 3) and it provides a fairly well thought out plot point about how the Kryptonians found Clark in the vastness of space instead of Donner’s lazy idea of a bomb exploding - the shockwaves of which frees the imprisoned Kryptonians who just coincidentally happen to be floating by despite the fact shock waves can’t occur in space.

Yes! Superman was introduced to the rest of the world in a moment of crisis. That was a brilliant move. He simultaneously had to prove himself, by fighting alongside the military and helping humanity deal with a crisis. The idea that Superman would just one day fly around the city and people would be like “Gee! That looks weird!” then go about their business as if the world was the same is completely ridiculous. If the goal was to translate a story of Superman into how it would be like in the real world then Snyder had it spot on. In a real world situation Donner’s Lois Lane would have been detained and interrogated so the government could learn why he saved her specifically.

“He never earned the full story of Supes eventually being controlled by Darkseid... But, there was no transition from Donner's hopeful hero to Snyder's take on Supes dark turn.”

I 1000% agree with you. If they wanted to do a Batman against Superman film, they already had a Batman (the most popular ever) and they could have easily feature him in a Man of Steel II without having him be a killer. A friend of mine wrote a treatment for how he would have done that and it was absolutely brilliant. It put Batman in conflict with Superman without making Batman a paranoid lunatic. And they way the “fight” is resolved it is EXACTLY what Batman would do as opposed to what Snyder envisioned with the Martha nonsense.
RolandD
RolandD - 9/11/2025, 6:03 PM
@Super12 - Our friend Forthas was not reading the room. I’m afraid that I saw that coming.
epc1122
epc1122 - 9/11/2025, 6:05 PM
@Forthas - Nolan wanted his Batman to end with the trilogy he made.
Forthas
Forthas - 9/11/2025, 6:24 PM
@epc1122 - Show me the quote where he said that...other wise it is a made up statement.
lazlodaytona
lazlodaytona - 9/11/2025, 6:46 PM
@RolandD - there are several users here that have no idea what 'read the room' means
spr0cks
spr0cks - 9/11/2025, 6:57 PM
@FinnishDude -


RE : >>> If Cavill was so popular, why did every single movie with his Superman underperform"

If his ($670 Million grossing) Superman movie and ($880 Million grossing Batman v) Superman Follow-up underperformed, then how much lower on the scale and grand scheme of things does it place Gunn's ($614 Million) underachieving Flop-per-Man movie?
epc1122
epc1122 - 9/11/2025, 7:06 PM
@Forthas - Bale added: "Chris had always said to me that if we were fortunate to be able to make three we would stop. 'Let’s walk away after that,' he said. Then when they inevitably came to us and said 'how about a number four?', I said: 'No. We have to stick to Chris’ dream, which was always to, hopefully, do a trilogy. Let’s not stretch too far and become overindulgent and go for a fourth'.”

https://uk.movies.yahoo.com/christopher-nolan-batman-4-dark-knight-105834990.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAKGUga21hhrivueWyL4XNrU7GqlyYpEAh7gdbbWtvj7qIIlnBJSqJ3Ue_FXBi6rJFwQJFTgykoPKkyJI3LM-uJFLzFerZliMxMtPxehmjsFKwwBDS6VY13MPxkibskaAZLpG7REIv2H9rvlpCsR6O7KXSyfkUfuAZq-masHA0MAe
Forthas
Forthas - 9/11/2025, 7:17 PM
@epc1122 -

1) That is not a quote from Christopher Nolan
2) Bale is stating that Nolan does not want to continue, that does not mean NO ONE can continue after him: and
3) Warner Brothers does not need his permission to continue the Dark Knight franchise so whether he wants it or not is irrelevant.
lazlodaytona
lazlodaytona - 9/11/2025, 7:26 PM
@Forthas - 😄 most definitely
epc1122
epc1122 - 9/11/2025, 7:28 PM
@Forthas - you can spin it however you want. First it had to be a quote from Nolan and now this b.s. WB was respecting Nolan’s wishes because the franchise is so beloved. The franchise worked because of Nolan. Then if wb did it without Nolan people would say that was terrible. Bale also didn’t want to continue to be Batman. You know what’s really crazy, Nolan and bale also worked on a different movie together….so terrible 😂
lazlodaytona
lazlodaytona - 9/11/2025, 7:51 PM
@Forthas - your reasonings are incredibly solid... I'm glad you explained it because I have an understanding of your feelings on it.

Just a bit of response:
"1) showing why Clark hid his powers (it is alluded to in the Donner version but never explained)"
When Clark ran home beating Brad's car, him and Glenn Ford discussed it. "Is a bird showing off when it flies?"
" ....YOU are here for a reason .... I do know one thing; it's not to score touchdowns."
Just some brief dialogue. That whole exchange explained why Clark was hiding his powers perfectly in a sold, quick scene.

Also, people didn't just go about their business. The next morning Perry had 4 or 5 different newspapers with the headlines about Supes and Clark is seen watching the news on the street before he gets to the Planet ... along with Lex listening to the news while he was swimming.

I completely agree that having young Clark saving people was perfect to have in the film.

I believe Snyder was planning on a MoS 2 but the higher-ups freaked when MoS didn't instantly make Avengers money (although it made more than Iron Man for a start of a new universe) and the studios pressured Zack to do Bats and Supes together.

Completely agree that Nolan's trilogy should have folded into the DCEU. Like the animation, Batman had four season and Supes 1 or 2 (I forget) and that had them do a crossover plus other heroes cameoing, they could have had Bale and Cavill together then maybe WW and a Justice League.

It was all horribly mismanaged by WBs.
captainwalker
captainwalker - 9/11/2025, 8:51 PM
@Forthas - That sir is an accurate statement.
captainwalker
captainwalker - 9/11/2025, 8:53 PM
@FinnishDude - The script of Batman vs superman [frick]ed it up.
Forthas
Forthas - 9/11/2025, 10:33 PM
@captainwalker - Thank you! I appreciate the support.
FinnishDude
FinnishDude - 9/14/2025, 12:13 PM
@Forthas - The reason they made BvS as the next film in DCEU was because MoS underperformed. The studio looked at the numbers and went "we need the boost from Batman".
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