Hollywood Consolidation: Bidding Wars, Netflix Fears, and Creative Freedom

Resources

Resources & Recommendations

Books

• "Just Married" - Mentioned by Shawn Levy as one of the movies he made with Fox.

Films

• "Rental Family" - A movie starring Brendan Fraser.
• "Cheaper by the Dozen" - A film directed by Shawn Levy.
• "Night at the Museum" - A film directed by Shawn Levy.
• "Date Night" - A film directed by Shawn Levy.
• "Free Guy" - A film directed by Shawn Levy, starring Ryan Reynolds, and one of Netflix's most watched movies.
• "The Spectacular Now" - A prestige project shepherded by Shawn Levy's company, 21 Laps.
• "Arrival" - A 2017 Best Picture nominee shepherded by Shawn Levy's company, 21 Laps.
• "Deadpool & Wolverine" - A record-breaking R-rated movie directed by Shawn Levy, starring Ryan Reynolds.
• "Star Wars Starfighter" - A new Star Wars movie directed by Shawn Levy, written by Jonathan Tropper, featuring new characters and ideas.
• "Solo" - A Star Wars prequel story.
• "Rise of Skywalker" - The ninth film in the Skywalker saga.
• "A New Hope" - The original Star Wars movie released in 1977.
• "Real Steel" - A 2011 movie directed by Shawn Levy.
• "Barbie" - A film mentioned in the context of potentially having done in the idea for a Free Guy sequel.

TV Shows

• "Stranger Things" - Netflix's long-running hit series, for which Shawn Levy is an executive producer and director of certain episodes.

People Mentioned

• Matt Bellany - Partner at Puck News, who banters with the host.
• David Ellison - Mentioned in the context of bidding for Warner Bros. Discovery.
• Mohammed bin Salman - Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, who attended a state dinner and is reportedly interested in entertainment and sports investments.
• Jamal Khashoggi - Journalist whose murder was mentioned in relation to Mohammed bin Salman's visit.
• Larry Ellison - Papa of David Ellison, mentioned in the context of the Warner Bros. Discovery bid.
• Shawn Levy - Director, producer, and multi-hyphenate, the main guest of the episode.
• Millie Bobby Brown - Actress in "Stranger Things."
• David Harbour - Actor in "Stranger Things."
• Frank Darabont - Director who did two episodes of "Stranger Things" season 5.
• Matt and Ross Duffer (The Duffer Brothers) - Creators and directors of "Stranger Things."
• Ted Sarandos - Co-CEO of Netflix, mentioned in discussions about theatrical releases and viewership data.
• Cindy Holland - Former Vice President of Original Content for Netflix, mentioned as an early supporter of "Stranger Things."
• Ryan Reynolds - Actor, collaborated with Shawn Levy on films like "Free Guy" and "Deadpool & Wolverine."
• Kathy Kennedy - President of Lucasfilm, who offered Shawn Levy the opportunity to direct a Star Wars movie.
• Jonathan Tropper - Writer, collaborated with Shawn Levy on "Star Wars Starfighter."
• Ryan Gosling - Actor, mentioned in relation to "Star Wars Starfighter" and attending Star Wars Celebration.
• Alan Bergman - Co-Chairman of Walt Disney Studios, mentioned in relation to greenlighting "Star Wars Starfighter."
• Bob Iger - CEO of The Walt Disney Company, mentioned in relation to greenlighting "Star Wars Starfighter."
• Lord and Miller - Directors who were mentioned in the context of telling a "Solo" prequel story.
• Kevin Feige - President of Marvel Studios, mentioned in relation to the "Deadpool & Wolverine" script.
• Steve Hasbell - Head of Fox, mentioned positively by Shawn Levy.
• Mike and Pam - Mentioned in the context of taking a "big leap of faith" on "Sinners and One Battle."

Organizations & Institutions

• Searchlight Pictures - Sponsor presenting "Rental Family."
• Paramount Plus - Sponsor presenting "Landman."
• KCRW - The radio station producing "The Business" podcast.
• Warner Bros. Discovery - Company subject to acquisition bids.
• Paramount - Company that has made bids for Warner Bros. Discovery.
• Netflix - Company interested in buying Warner Bros. Discovery, also the streamer for "Stranger Things."
• Comcast - Company that might bid for Warner Bros. Discovery.
• AT&T - Former owner of Time Warner.
• White House - Location of a state dinner attended by David Ellison.
• Puck News - Where Matt Bellany is a partner.
• 21 Laps - Shawn Levy's company.
• Marvel - Studio behind "Deadpool & Wolverine."
• Lucasfilm - Studio behind Star Wars, mentioned for its "nerd army" and "protectorate."
• Pixar - Animation studio, mentioned for its model of making and remaking movies.
• Fox - Former standalone studio, now a label under Disney.
• Disney - Umbrella owner of Fox, Marvel, Lucasfilm, and Pixar.

Events

• State Dinner - Attended by David Ellison for Mohammed bin Salman.
• Star Wars Celebration - Event attended by Shawn Levy and Ryan Gosling.

Websites & Online Resources

• kcrw.com - Website where "The Business" and other KCRW shows can be streamed.