Netflix Puts Down “Mostly Cash Offer” in Latest Bid to Acquire Warner Bros.

I’m with James Cameron when he says that Netflix acquiring Warner Bros. would be a disaster, and that their promise to keep theatrical is “sucker bait.”

Now, for some bad news.

After weeks of denying they were interested in WB assets, there’s no doubting anymore that Netflix is very serious about acquiring the studio’s film and TV divisions. To the point where now, according to Bloomberg, they’ve just put on the table a “mostly cash offer” bid, via an arranged mega-loan.

Furthermore, Fox Business News’ Charles Gasparino is reporting that the WB board has “really warmed” to Netflix’s offer, for a lot of reasons, including the chemistry between WB chief David Zaslav and Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos. The only worry? The regulatory hurdles, including a 2-year battle through the Trump administration’s DOJ antitrust.

Trump obviously wants Paramount/Skydance to nab Warner Bros., and they did recently bid high for all assets, with a reported $71 billion set on the table. Does Zaslav really want to deal with Trump’s wrath in accepting Netflix’s offer?

If Netflix ever gained control of Warner Bros., the outcome for the film industry could be bleak. The only hopeful scenario would be Netflix turning Warner Bros. into a dedicated theatrical-release division — and that’s simply not something I see happening. Netflix’s long-standing aim has been to destroy traditional theatrical distribution, not strengthen it. A streaming-first model is probably in order.

I’m still in denial about this nightmare becoming reality — but, honestly, it has become a possibility. Paramount has already seen three bids rejected, with them awaiting WB’s response to their $71 billion offer, which, it should be noted, is not a cash offer like what Netflix is reported to have put together.

There could even be a deal finalized before Christmas. The offers are binding, meaning the board can move swiftly and approve an agreement if it meets their objectives, according to one of Bloomberg’s sources.

May el-Toukhy’s ‘Woman Unknown’ Wins the Golden Lion at Venice — Surprise!

The short version: "Woman Unknown" was a compromise. The jury deadlocked over "Possible Love" and "NAZA," not able to com to terms, fell back on their #3, May el-Toukhy's film.

Cory Finley's 'Reasonable People,' Starring Paul Rudd and Sam Rockwell, Shoots This Fall

Cory Finley, a talented filmmaker, has directed three films so far: "Thoroughbreds" (2017), "Bad Education” (2020), and "Landscape with Invisible Hand.”

Bassam Tariq Says Making ‘Blade' at Marvel Was ‘“a Different Thing”: “Somebody Else Is Running This”

Bassim Tariq was the first one in the chair. The "Mogul Mowgli" director spent two years building out the Mahershala Ali vehicle before exiting in 2022, and he's now letting the air out on this one.

‘The Family Stone’ Sequel Greenlit at Searchlight, Fall Shoot, Reunites the Entire Cast — Except Diane Keaton

Claire Danes, Rachel McAdams, Dermot Mulroney, Craig T. Nelson, Sarah Jessica Parker, Luke Wilson, Tyrone Giordano, Elizabeth Reaser, Paul Schneider, and Brian White will all be back.

Critics Are Fighting About ‘Fjord’ at TIFF; Sebastian Stan: “Not A MAGA Movie”

I was curious how Cristian Mungiu's "Fjord" would be received this fall. The Palme d'Or winner has become a culture-war flashpoint, and critics are more split on it than you might expect.

August 19, 2019

3-Hour ‘Midsommar' Director's Cut Screened in NYC

This year’s 12th edition of the Scary Movies festival at Film at Lincoln Center premiered Ari Aster’s extended version of “Midsommar” this past Saturday.

Joaquin Phoenix Reuniting with Mike Mills for Next Film, Shooting in January 2027

Phoenix is set to reunite with Mills on this next film, which is being distributed by A24 and starts shooting January 2027. This will be Phoenix’s first film since “Eddington.”

Paul Thomas Anderson Has Already Chosen His Next Film, Jonny Greenwood Says

“Paul is getting close to pressing the button on the next film, I believe, and I’m already trying to learn a new instrument that would be central to it,” Greenwood tells Screen Daily.

Ridley Scott Says “I Didn’t Say That” After Calling ‘The Dog Stars’ His Best Movie Since ‘The Martian’

In June 2026, Scott told The Buyer that “The Dog Stars” is “probably the best movie I’ve done since The Martian.” He’s now denying he ever said that.

Todd Field-Written ‘The Girls’ Sets Antoneta Alamat Kusijanovic to Direct, November Shoot

Cinephiles another Todd Field movie, and although we might have to wait for his next directorial effort, “The Girls” will have to suffice for now.

Fritz Lang’s ‘M’ Tops the Best Films of the 1930s, According to 100+ Critics

We’ve gone through the decades. The ‘40s ‘50s, ‘60s, ‘70s, ‘80s, ‘90s, ‘2000s, and ‘2010s. — all revisited, argued over. Now, here are the results for the best films of the 1930s.

Critics Poll: ‘Citizen Kane' Named Best Film of the 1940s

The results are in, and according to critics, this decade filled with cinematic riches did not have a better film than Orson Welles’ “Citizen Kane.” Nobody should be surprised by this result. “Citizen Kane” changed cinema forever.

Critics Poll: ‘Vertigo’ Named Best Film of the 1950s, Over 120 Participants

It was a closer race than anticipated, but Alfred Hitchcock’s “Vertigo” has topped our best of the ’50s poll, besting Gene Kelly and Stanley Donen’s “Singin’ in the Rain” by just two votes.

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