Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group (WB) has recently been in the news for several reasons. The studio made waves in January 2024 when it announced that it was forming a new strategic partnership with Tom Cruise. A month later, the studio signed Margot Robbie on a first-look deal adding to its vast talent pool.
However, a new report from a reputed publication hints that the heavy investment WB is making in these stars is not because of their faith in their talent. Instead, the report indicates that the studio, which recently saw a shake-up in its leadership could be preparing for another similar turnaround. Here is what is being said about WB’s recent spending spree for top talent and what it means for the studio’s future.
WB’s Recent Hiring of Top Talent Like Tom Cruise and Margot Robbie Hints at the Studio’s Inevitable Sale
In 2022, WB merged with Discovery Inc., forming Warner Bros. Discovery led by David Zaslav. Since then the media conglomerate’s film studio division, Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group has signed some of Hollywood’s top stars such as Tom Cruise and Margot Robbie.
After a period of downsizing and cost-cutting, the studio is heavily investing in top stars and directors. However, according to a new report from Variety, these big investments are not intended to turn around the studio’s fortunes.
Instead, the report indicates that the studio is being prepared to be sold or merged with another entity. The report cited WB’s deal with Cruise and their pursuit of distribution rights for Quentin Tarantino’s next feature film as examples of the strategy that is currently being followed by the studio.
“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 (David) Zaslav sells the company.”
An insider presumably working for the studio is quoted as making the above statement in the report. According to the report, the initial merger between WarnerMedia and Discovery had a two-year lock-up period which will allegedly expire in April this year. As a result, the company will start to look at offers to buy, sell, or merge WB with another studio in and around April 2024.
Fans Share Their Reaction to the Report of WB’s Spending Spree and Sale Plans
The report from Variety also indicated that WB was spending big bucks on projects such as the Joker sequel and the upcoming Paul Thomas Anderson movie as a part of this new strategy that will eventually see the film studio be sold or merged with another entity in the future.
After the report hit social media, fans quickly jumped online to share their thoughts on WB’s recent spending spree that could culminate in the studio being sold at a higher price than when it was acquired by Zaslav. Here is what fans are saying about the alleged plan to sell WB on X.
Wow!
Universal is definitely gonna be eyeing this one.
But it goes to show you how David Zaslav was never gonna try and make WBD work, he just wanted to raise its profile (and cut its spending) in order to facilitate a sale.
— Matt Jarbo (@mjarbo) February 21, 2024
Disney gonna buy them just for fun
— 💀STREAK ✨️ (@xPWWxKILLSTREAK) February 21, 2024
Oh please with your stock right now. Yeah I hardly think anyone’s gonna merge with a failing business. pic.twitter.com/10INCatAXl
— Benjamin Mack (@Benjami93172940) February 22, 2024
That's a really interesting thought tbh. A great move by WB if it is the case
— CinemaBums (@Cinema_Bums) February 21, 2024
Warner Bros Discovery can entertain offers to buy, sell or merge with a studio in April
Many there believe it will happen and it will either sell or merge with NBCUniversal
The reason why David Zaslav is signing talent like Tom Cruise, Margot Robbie, and Paul Thomas Anderson…
— Bearded Priest (@BeardedPriest1) February 21, 2024
Fans had varying reactions to the reported plans to sell WB or merge it with another studio. While most fans thought it was a good move, some fans remained skeptical of the idea given the studio’s recent struggles. Meanwhile, one section of fans expressed a desire to see the studio in more competent hands. However, only time will tell whether the report’s claims about WB’s strategy and eventual sale prove to be true.
