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Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav Wants A “Real Focus On Franchises” Like ‘Harry Potter,’ ‘Superman’ & ‘LOTR’ Moving Forward

November 6, 2022

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What does Warner Bros. Discovery head David Zaslav take into consideration for his studio’s close to future? Deadline studies that on a Q3 earnings name yesterday afternoon, Zaslav detailed precisely what he envisions, and it’s all about large tentpole franchises. “We’re going to have a real focus on franchises,” mentioned the President and CEO. “We haven’t had a “Superman” film in 13 years. We haven’t had a “Harry Potter” film in 15 years.”

Why are franchises Zaslav’s major focus for the way forward for Warner Bros.? Money, in fact. “The DC movies and the “Harry Potter” films supplied a whole lot of the earnings of Warner Bros. Motion Pictures during the last 25 years,” Zaslav continued. “So, a focus on the franchise — one of the big advantages that we have, “House of the Dragon” is an instance of that, “Game of Thrones,” profiting from “Sex and the City,” “Lord of the Rings,” we nonetheless have the appropriate to do “Lord of the Rings” films. What are the flicks which have manufacturers which might be understood and beloved in every single place on this planet?” Zaslav additionally reemphasized his curiosity in new “Harry Potter” initiatives, saying he’d prefer to see “if we can do something with J.K. [Rowling] on ‘Harry Potter’ going forward.”

So, heaps to unpack in Zaslav’s feedback from yesterday. First, what precisely does Zaslav imply by new “Harry Potter” films? In case he forgot, there’s the “Fantastic Beasts” franchise that acts as a prequel sequence to Rowling’s unique books. Granted, these films aren’t the income motherlodes the “Harry Potter” movies are, however they’re commercially profitable, albeit much less so with every installment (identical goes with their essential reception). What Zaslav’s feedback possible imply, although, is that he desires WBD to sync up with Rowling for a movie adaptation of the 2016 play “Harry Potter And The Cursed Child.” Or, moreover, new unique content material within the “Harry Potter” universe. But contemplating the controversy surrounding Rowling over her statements about gender id in recent times, the creator is probably not as bankable as Zaslav thinks.

Next up: the final standalone “Superman” film wasn’t 13 years in the past, Mr. Zaslav. “Man Of Steel” hit theaters in 2013, nearly ten years in the past. And if Zaslav means “Superman Returns,” that movie’s theatrical launch was in 2006, so, 16 years in the past. It’s frequent information since Zaslav took over Warner Bros. that he’s excessive on Superman as a personality and a tentpole franchise, however it’s disconcerting that he has his dates tousled right here. Still, now that Henry Cavill is not hooked up to “The Witcher,” a brand new standalone movie with him as Clark Kent quickly seems like a risk. With his latest cameo as Superman in “Black Adam,” it’s clear Zaslav desires a brand new “Superman” film with Cavill as quickly as attainable, perhaps as early as 2025. So, keep tuned on that.

As for future “Lord Of The Rings” films, Prime Video corners the Middle-earth market with “The Rings Of Power.” Is there an urge for food for much more “Lord Of The Rings” content material with that mega-budget manufacturing heading into its second season? Also, Zaslav forgot to say the upcoming animated movie “The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim,” which hits theaters on April 12, 2024. That’s nonetheless somewhat over a 12 months away, however it’s the primary “Lord Of The Rings” film in theaters since “The Hobbit” trilogy wrapped in 2014. So, it’s not as if the “Lord Of The Rings” property is in disuse. Does Zaslav assume followers need greater than what’s already coming?

It’s clear what Zaslav thinks about direct-to-streaming films and reveals, although; he thinks they’re a waste. “We learned what doesn’t work,” Zaslav mentioned concerning the former WarnerMedia‘s plans to emphasise unique content material on HBO Max. “And this is what doesn’t work for us based on everything that we’ve seen: direct-to-streaming movies. So, spending a billion dollars or collapsing a motion picture window into a streaming service. The movies that we launch in theaters do significantly better, and launching a 2-hour, 40-minute movie direct to streaming has done nothing for HBO Max in terms of viewership, retention or love of the service.” That line of pondering is why Zaslav canceled “Batgirl” and a number of other DCEU initiatives meant as HBO Max exclusives early in his regime.

Zaslav doesn’t like HBO Max’s mannequin in any respect. “The entire library shouldn’t be on HBO Max and paid for by HBO Max,” Zaslav continued. “We have an extraordinary library: “Friends“, “Big Bang Theory“, “Two and a Half Men“ — there’s 15 or 20 series that are loved and nourishing the audience on a regular basis. But then there’s a huge number of series and movies that aren’t being used at all.” On prime of that, Zaslav sees no subject in eradicating reveals with out discover from the streaming service. In his phrases, they “didn’t take one show off a platform that would help us in any way,” simply one other method for him to say they aren’t making him cash. As for what is going to substitute that vanished content material? Zaslav desires to “replace those shows with content that has a chance to be more successful with a larger audience.”

So, to assessment: David Zaslav desires Warner Bros. Discovery to shift gears to bankable and acquainted movie franchises like “Harry Potter” and “Superman” within the close to future. Money is the principle cause, and Zaslav thinks that HBO Max and its unique programming have zero probability of success with a common viewers. So, anticipate much less unique content material and extra franchise films that assure income from WBD within the coming years. It’s a tragic forecast however not shocking given Zaslav’s modus operandi.

Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav Wants A “Real Focus On Franchises” Like ‘Harry Potter,’ ‘Superman’ & ‘LOTR’ Moving Forward

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