George Clooney on the changing landscape of Hollywood
Paramount’s sale to Skydance: A new era for a historic studio
George Clooney recently shared his thoughts on the significant changes happening in Hollywood, particularly focusing on the sale of Paramount Pictures to Skydance. This deal, finalized in early July, is valued at a staggering $8 billion. Clooney, who has a long-standing relationship with Paramount, expressed a mix of nostalgia and realism about the evolving industry.
The legacy of Paramount
Clooney’s connection with Paramount is deep-rooted. His 2017 directorial project, Suburbicon, was released by the studio, and he also received an Oscar nomination for his role in Up in the Air, another Paramount production. Reflecting on the sale, Clooney remarked, ”Paramount’s one of the great original studios. But some of it you just have no say in. Because the business, it’s all getting eaten up. It’s like everything — it’s all getting eaten up by big Walmarts and Amazons around the world. Our version of mom-and-pop shops in a small town is Paramount.”
The impact of the sale
The sale of Paramount to Skydance is poised to bring significant changes to Hollywood’s studio system. Skydance and its partners plan to invest over $8 billion to rejuvenate various aspects of Paramount. The deal values Skydance at $4.75 billion, with an enterprise value of $28 billion. This move is part of a broader trend where major corporations like Amazon, which now owns MGM Studios, are reshaping the entertainment landscape.
The decline of the traditional studio system
Clooney also touched on how these changes have affected Hollywood’s ability to create movie stars. “They haven’t developed stars the way the studio system used to,” he noted. “We kind of were at the very end of that, where you could work at a studio and do three or four films, and there was some plan to it. And I don’t think that’s necessarily the case anymore. So it’s harder for you to sell somebody something on the back of a star.”
Opportunities for young actors
Despite these challenges, Clooney sees a silver lining for emerging actors. “It’s a great time as a young actor,” he said. “Because when I was a young actor, if you looked at the back of the LA Times every Monday morning, they had the 64 shows that were made. And of those 64 shows, if you’re actually on one of them, you’re trying to be in the top 20 to keep your show on the air. But that was it. Then the studios were doing five films a year. Now there are 600 shows, so there’s a lot more work for actors.”
Clooney’s upcoming projects
Looking ahead, Clooney is set to star in the crime thriller Wolfs, directed by Jon Watts. The film, which also features Brad Pitt, revolves around rival fixers hired for the same job. “Wolfs” will premiere at the Venice Film Festival before streaming on Apple TV+ starting September 27. The movie will also have a one-week theatrical run beginning September 20.
Reflecting on the future of cinema
As the entertainment industry continues to evolve, it’s clear that the traditional studio system is undergoing a transformation. While this brings challenges, it also opens up new opportunities for creativity and innovation. For cinema and TV series enthusiasts, this is an exciting time to witness the birth of new stars and the creation of diverse content.
The role of streaming platforms
Streaming platforms like Apple TV+, Netflix, and Amazon Prime Video are playing a crucial role in this transformation. They offer a vast array of content, providing more opportunities for actors, directors, and writers to showcase their talents. This shift is democratizing the industry, making it more accessible to a broader audience.
The importance of storytelling
At the heart of these changes is the enduring power of storytelling. Whether through traditional studios or streaming platforms, the ability to tell compelling stories remains paramount. As Clooney’s career demonstrates, great stories can transcend the medium, capturing the imagination of audiences worldwide.
In this dynamic landscape, the future of cinema and TV series looks bright. With more platforms and opportunities than ever before, the next generation of filmmakers and actors is poised to make their mark on the industry. For fans, this means a wealth of new content to explore and enjoy.
For more information on the movies and series mentioned, check out the trailers for Suburbicon, Up in the Air, and Wolfs.