Now Variety confirms my scoop that Warner Bros. Discovery could be sold to NBCUniversal (which would includes James Gunn’s new DCU).
My insiders first told me it was a possibility of happening back in 2022 and again filled me in last year.
This past October saw THR confirm what I said, and now Variety adds further confirmation.
Regarding the recent reports that David Zaslav was considering merging WBD with Paramount, it’s my understanding that was never going to happen. It appears as if Zaslav was making a strategic move in an attempt to gain leverage over potential suitors of Warner Bros. Discovery, of course that being NBCUniversal (parent company is Comcast).
Was told “hopefully” Universal (comcast) in couple of years.
— Cosmic Book News (@cosmicbooknews) April 10, 2023
Not a done deal. Was first told about it at the 2022 Comic-Con, then again this year. Was told Zaslav wants to sell "hopefully" to Universal. Was told Zaslav hopes Universal breaks up the sale so he can retain control of Discovery.
— Cosmic Book News (@cosmicbooknews) October 18, 2023
I'm also told David Zaslav demanded Gunn wipe out the DC slate and reboot with cheaper talent, and also that Zaslav has plans to sell WBD https://t.co/RrSH6DerXw
— Cosmic Book News (@cosmicbooknews) July 17, 2023
David Zaslav’s shiny objects
In Variety‘s report published Thursday titled “Warner Bros. Spends Big: ‘Joker 2’ Budget Hits $200 Million, Lady Gaga’s $12 Million Payday, Courting Tom Cruise’s New Deal and More,” it’s mentioned those projects are being used as a shiny objects to help Zaslav sell the company:
“The strategy at Warner Bros. right now and the reason they made some of these big star deals is they’re basically playing with other people’s money,” says one insider. “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 Zaslav sells the company.”
As I said, Zaslav could sell WBD within a couple of years timeframe, which is this year, and again, Variety says that Zaslav is building up WB to make it more tempting to potential buyers:
That time may be approaching. In April, Warner Bros. Discovery can entertain offers to buy, sell or merge with a studio like NBCUniversal, as many on the lot believe will happen. That’s when the two-year lock-up period expires as part of the 2022 deal that united WarnerMedia and Discovery. All of the recent moves, from a first-look pact with Margot Robbie’s LuckyChap to the quest to land Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer” follow-up are akin to painting a house before it hits the market.
James Gunn’s DCU and Superman a “shiny object”
So THR’s report mentions the mega-deal with Tom Cruise; the potential new movie from Quentin Tarantino with Cruise attached; Ryan Coogler and Michael B. Jordan’s new vampire movie; Margot Robbie’s new WB deal; Christopher Nolan’s next movie, and the Joker 2 movie as “shiny objects being used” to sell Warner Bros. Discovery, according to the site’s sources.
Oddly enough, there is no mention of James Gunn’s DCU.
Gunn is rebooting the DC films universe starting with Superman: Legacy. He’s already announced five movies and five TV shows as part of his Chapter 1 “Gods and Monsters” slate.
Well, what happens if Zaslav sells Warner Bros. Discovery? Superman: Legacy gets released in 2025. Obviously, with ten projects announced and the possibility of a sale, that would mean the new DCU would eventually fall under Universal.
It’s not a stretch to think Zaslav also wants to use Gunn’s DC universe as another “shiny object” that would make Warner Bros. Discovery look all the better as a sale to potential suitors. Guess who wanted a new Superman movie? Zaslav.
The good news is that I have been told Gunn’s DCU will likely continue at Universal. Worth a mention is that Gunn in part got his start with Zack Snyder at Universal with Dawn of the Dead, following Scooby-Doo which was at WB. It’s also my understanding that those in Hollywood love Gunn (especially WB).
What about Matt Reeves?
Regarding what could happen to the Matt Reeves Batman universe, I haven’t heard anything, but it’s probably safe to say that would also continue on at Universal.
Also as confirmed by my insiders, it’s known Reeves is involved with Gunn’s DCU and that he was grandfathered into the DCU even before Gunn was appointed in charge.
I have been told Matt Reeves was up to take over DC following Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight Trilogy ending but that Nolan chose Snyder to take over DC instead. Now Reeves is back on DC big time.
My insiders told me back in 2019 a DC reboot was underway involving Gunn, Reeves, and J.J. Abrams.
I’ll also add that Universal has been going after Disney, not only with its movies, which have been a big success as of late, but also Universal Studios Hollywood. The DC brand would be a great fit at the theme park, as at one time there were even plans for DC at Universal Studios Hollywood way back.
There's also these pieces of concept art that show what a whole DC park by Universal would have looked like pic.twitter.com/vVTPYmBTre
— CannotThinkOfAUsername (@TheirUsernameIs) January 8, 2021
