TV Streaming Discussion: HBO MAX UPDATE: WTF is Going on? Merger with PARAMOUNT?!

playahaitian

Rising Star
Certified Pussy Poster
we'll see....

I think these studios including Netflix Disney WB Sony etc are all laundering money

Storm Shadow?

WTF did the Rock do to piss off some powerful folk in Hollywood?

It seems like an organized effort to go at this man neck.
 

ViCiouS

Rising Star
BGOL Patreon Investor
Storm Shadow?

WTF did the Rock do to piss off some powerful folk in Hollywood?

It seems like an organized effort to go at this man neck.
oj7x8cihd0v71.png
 

ViCiouS

Rising Star
BGOL Patreon Investor
But they LOVED that man!

He was what they called him box office viagra and allegedly a nice guy to boot.

Too much power huh? That simple?
they love him when he plays by their rules like a good boy...
Rock tried to take WB crown jewels

now he is being floated as a scapegoat for the inept studio execs and production team trying to avoid the coming axe after Shazam flopped again

 

playahaitian

Rising Star
Certified Pussy Poster
they love him when he plays by their rules like a good boy...
Rock tried to take WB crown jewels

now he is being floated as a scapegoat for the inept studio execs and production team trying to avoid the coming axe after Shazam flopped again



^^^^

Storm just let out the dagger cause I noticed MANY are very conveniently leaving THAT part out.
 

OutlawR.O.C.

R.I.P. shanebp1978
BGOL Investor


How Dwayne Johnson Kneecapped ‘Black Adam’ and ‘Shazam 2’ While Trying to Take Over DC | Exclusive


The underwhelming $65 million worldwide debut of “Shazam! Fury of the Gods” is another black mark for the DC Universe, the second-string superhero stable. But there’s another villain, insiders told TheWrap: Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, whose behind-the-scenes maneuvering to boost another DC property — “Black Adam,” in which he starred — may well end up tanking both franchises, they said.

To be clear, DC has a host of problems that aren’t Johnson’s fault, which is why Warner Bros. Discovery is attempting a reboot under James Gunn and Peter Safran. But in trying to shape “Black Adam” as the new center of the DC Universe — a strategy that failed to bolster “Black Adam” and undercut the once-promising “Shazam” franchise — Johnson may have kneecapped both, painting a portrait of a celebrity who put his own brand before the work.

Johnson did plenty of work in public to undermine “Shazam,” chiefly by promoting a face-off between Black Adam and Superman instead of the more canonical link between the hero Zachary Levi played and the former pro wrestler’s own character. Privately, he vetoed a planned post-credits scene in “Black Adam,” which would have seen Shazam recruited by Aldis Hodge’s Hawkman, and other costumed heroes, into the Justice Society of America, TheWrap can report exclusively, thanks to disclosures by two high-level Hollywood insiders.

There’s plenty to blame for the underwhelming grosses for “Black Adam” and “Shazam! Fury of the Gods,” including middling reviews and the mixed message sent by the DC Studios revamp. Like “The Lego Movie,” “Shazam 2” might be another example of a movie where the audience saw the original as family-friendly fare but perceived the sequel as a kid flick with limited appeal. Still, Johnson’s public and private actions seemed to play an undeniable role.

A representative for Johnson didn’t respond to TheWrap’s request for comment. Reps for Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema declined to comment.

Problems cooking with “The Rock”
“Dwayne tries to sell himself as bigger than the movie,” said a high-ranking Hollywood executive who asked for anonymity in order to discuss talent matters frankly while speaking to TheWrap. “He’s one of the few people who always thinks he’s the most important person in any situation or room.”
That plays into the kind of franchises that Johnson usually spearheads, like the movie based on the “Rampage” video game, a remake of the cinematic adaptation of Jules Verne’s novel “The Mysterious Island,” or “Jumanji.” Problems arose when Johnson entered a franchise that was bigger than him, like the “Fast & Furious” series, where he clashed with franchise architect Vin Diesel, or “Baywatch,” where his star power couldn’t save an expensive film built on weak IP.

A superheroic fight
Johnson spent much of the weeks before the release of “Black Adam” touting not the movie itself or his character’s in-universe connection to Shazam but instead on a theoretical clash of the titans between himself and Henry Cavill’s Superman. Then-DC Films head Walter Hamada vetoed a cameo by the star of the divisively received “Man of Steel,” “Batman v Superman” and “Justice League,” but Johnson went over his head and got approval from Warner Bros. Film Group co-CEOs Michael De Luca and Pamela Abdy.
“Instead of making a movie, he wants to extend his brand and make a brand centered on himself,” said the Hollywood executive who criticized Johnson. An Instagram post in which he declared that “the hierarchy of power in the DC Universe is about to change” was an implicit statement that Johnson’s Black Adam should be the new focal point of the universe. That meant positioning himself to go up against Henry Cavill’s Superman, not Zachary Levi’s goofy Shazam.


The actor failed to learn the lesson of Universal’s Dark Universe
As the architects of Universal’s canceled Dark Universe or Warner Bros.’ “King Arthur and the Legend of the Sword” might tell you, you don’t promise a cinematic universe before you have a hit like Marvel did with “Iron Man.”
Johnson spiked plans in the mid-2010s to make a film featuring both Shazam and Black Adam in favor of two separate films. That worked out well for Levi’s acclaimed and successful first “Shazam” movie. As a dark, violent and unapologetically rock ‘em-sock ‘em actioner, it was the right call for “Black Adam” as well. The issue came with Johnson going rogue and implicitly maligning the “Shazam” franchise without checking to see if anyone wanted to see a “Black Adam vs. Superman” movie.
Maybe Johnson mistook the online conversation about Cavill’s run as Kal-El for real-world interest, or he didn’t realize that online discourse about Zack Snyder’s first three DC films was partially a bot-driven vocal minority. Perhaps he didn’t care.

Either way, the actor-producer spent September and October selling the notion that bringing back Henry Cavill as the Last Son of Krypton was what “the fans wanted.” The narrative was framed in a way as to further fan the flames of an ongoing civil war between those in the so-called SnyderVerse and the mainstream DCU.
New DC Studios co-chief and “Shazam” producer Peter Safran resurfaced a version of the post-credits sequence Johnson vetoed, and it now exists as a mid-credits cookie in “Fury of the Gods.” But Johnson nixed the use of “Black Adam” actors and the scene now plays out with Jennifer Holland and Steve Agee from “Suicide Squad” and “Peacemaker.”
“By alienating the established property that his character was born out of, and refusing to integrate with other established characters, [Johnson] systematically crippled two franchises, and has harmed DC in the process,” another Hollywood insider told TheWrap.

A refusal to concede failure
“Black Adam” underperformed relative to its cost, earning $168 million domestically and $393 million worldwide on a COVID-affected $230 million budget. That global total is right between “G.I Joe: Retaliation” ($375 million in 2013) and “Rampage” ($430 million in 2018), but those films -– along with both “Jumanji” sequels, “Journey 2: The Incredible Island” and “San Andreas” — cost between $80 million and $130 million.
“Johnson was a big reason why [“Black Adam”] was able to perform above the level it likely would have without him,” said Boxoffice Pro Chief Analyst Shawn Robbins. In a pre-pandemic environment, the movie likely would have added an extra $125 million-$175 million from Russia and China, giving it a good-enough $550 million global total. But the other problem might be underestimating the overlap between the audience for a DC cape flick and a Dwayne Johnson action fantasy.

Johnson, meanwhile, touted a profit projection for “Black Adam” and compared its worldwide gross to the first “Captain America.” In terms of painting its star as unwilling to concede to commercial reality, the cover-up was worse than the crime. At least Jared Leto didn’t spend last April swearing that “Morbius” was a hit.

“Franchise Viagra” no more

Ten years ago, the release of “G.I. Joe: Retaliation,” starring Johnson as new protagonist Roadblock, was seen as evidence he could juice an existing theatrical franchise. His supporting role in the acclaimed and $620 million-grossing “Fast Five” helped turn the franchise into an A-level action series, and “Journey 2: The Incredible Island” earned more ($335 million) than Brendan Fraser’s “Journey to the Center of the Earth” ($244 million). The narrative stuck even while “Retaliation” earned less domestically ($122 million) than Stephen Sommers’ “G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra” ($150 million).
Warner Bros. Discovery is making like Walt Disney and pledging to keep moving forward, expressing extreme confidence in both “The Flash” and the soft reboot plans hatched by Peter Safran and James Gunn beginning with “Superman: Legacy” in 2025.

Yet Gunn and Safran have a talent challenge in their reboot: A key star damaged the once-promising “Shazam” franchise while strangling another, “Black Adam,” in its crib. Johnson’s public pandering to an online vocal minority and refusal to concede box-office defeat has likewise hurt his franchise-saving reputation.

Johnson tried to remold the DC Universe in his image, and in doing so he not only failed to save the franchise but actively contributed to its downfall. What’s the opposite of franchise Viagra?


This article should have the Attitude Era Mr. Mcmahon theme playing while you read it because this is damn sure meant to bring the Rock down a peg or two

 

Helico-pterFunk

Rising Star
BGOL Legend



Thanks - gonna give it a read later.


Our current bundle here includes HBO Max, and HBO + Showtime each On Demand for a total of $8 total. Knowing the cable provider they probably won't grandfather that along come December when it's time for renewal, as that's each service for less than $3 apiece currently.

It's Crave On Demand ... a "Legacy" bundle through Telus.
 

playahaitian

Rising Star
Certified Pussy Poster
Thanks - gonna give it a read later.


Our current bundle here includes HBO Max, and HBO + Showtime each On Demand for a total of $8 total. Knowing the cable provider they probably won't grandfather that along come December when it's time for renewal, as that's each service for less than $3 apiece currently.

It's Crave On Demand ... a "Legacy" bundle through Telus.

Wow.
 

Helico-pterFunk

Rising Star
BGOL Legend




Agreed. People would actually stick around with TV plans if they were able to choose stuff a la carte, and not have to select from the usual bullshit bundle offerings. When I was renewing the contract ... the bundles we already had were good. One of them was a bit iffy. Only liked about 1/3 of the offerings ... so just dropped that one and luckily the Crave on Demand selection (separate bundle) was still available and of much better value.

Typically anything that airs on HBO or Showtime is available on Demand shortly thereafter. Or by breakfast / lunch the next day. The HBO Max stuff seemingly loads directly / same time.
 

playahaitian

Rising Star
Certified Pussy Poster

What we know about Max originals following HBO and Discovery+ merger​


What is the fate of certain high-profile Max, formerly known as HBO Max, projects? Here's what we know so far.
By Jessica WangUpdated April 13, 2023 at 01:32 PM EDT




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HBO Max has rebranded to just Max in the wake of its merger with Discovery+ last summer.
Max will continue to offer HBO originals, titles from the Warner Bros., DC, and Harry Potter universes, as well as Max originals, plus content from HGTV, Food Network, Discovery Channel, TLC, and Cartoon Network, among other brands.
As previously reported, there will be some structural changes: Max and HBO's comedy department are merging, for example, to align the scripted comedy slate under its own umbrella since there are more overlaps in comedy, such as with Hacks and Sex and the City spin-off And Just Like That.
With the non-fiction department, existing unscripted series are expected to continue on or premiere as planned so long as they perform well. Moving forward, Max will not add new original reality or documentaries since Discovery+ already has an expansive library. For existing Max reality non-fiction programs, renewals will be determined by viewing success.

Warner Bros. Discoverys CEO David Zaslav previously stressed a commitment to original programming, which came amidst persistent rumors that the merger would result in axed Max originals in the wake of Batgirl's surprise shelving. "Quality is what matters," he said. "Quality is what Casey and that team is delivering. It's the best team in the business. We're doubling down on that HBO team."
Hacks

Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder in 'Hacks'

| CREDIT: KAREN BALLARD/HBO MAX
So, where does that leave some of Max's most high-profile original projects? Below is what we know so far.

Hacks

Hacks, the Emmy-winning dramedy centered on the mentorship between a legendary Las Vegas comedian (Jean Smart) and a young comedy writer (Hannah Einbinder), was renewed for season 3, though a premiere date has not been announced yet.

The Sex Lives of College Girls

Mindy Kaling's teen dramedy centered on the sex lives of four college freshmen (played by Pauline Chalamet, Amrit Kaur, Reneé Rapp, and Alyah Chanelle Scott) was renewed for season 3, and is presumed to debut sometime in late 2023 or 2024.

And Just Like That

The Sex and the City revival And Just Like That featuring original stars Sarah Jessica Parker, Cynthia Nixon, and Kristin Davis was renewed for season 2 and is expected to premiere sometime in summer.

Peacemaker

The adaptation centered on the DC Comics superhero of the same name, played by John Cena, was renewed for season 2, with creator James Gunn confirming it's still on track.

Our Flag Means Death

David Jenkins and Taika Waititi's period romance comedy, centered on an aristocrat who abandons his life of privilege to become a pirate in the early 18th century, was renewed for season 2 and is expected to premiere sometime this year.

Minx

The 1970s Los Angeles-set comedy, centered on a low-rent publisher (Jake Johnson) and a young feminist (Ophelia Lovibond) who join forces to create the first erotic magazine for women, was canceled just before season 2 was set to begin filming, but fret not! It was picked up by Starz.
Ophelia Lovibond in Minx

Jake Johnson and Ophelia Lovibond in 'Minx'

| CREDIT: KATRINA MARCINOWSKI/LIONSGATE TELEVISION

The Garcias

Max has yet to share cancelation or news of a season 2 renewal for the sitcom, which follows a Texas-based family (Jeffrey Licon, Alvin Alvarez, Vaneza Pitynski, and Nitzia Chama) who gather for a summer vacation at their beach house in Mexico.

Rap Sh!t

Issa Rae's comedy, centered on two estranged friends who reunite to form an all-female rap group to try to break into the music industry, was renewed for season 2, though an expected premiere date has not yet been shared.

Julia

The series inspired by the life of Julia Child (played by Sarah Lancashire) and her cooking show The French Chef was renewed for season 2, though an expected premiere date has not yet been shared.

Love Life

The romantic comedy anthology series starring Anna Kendrick and William Jackson Harper that explores the journey from first love to last love was canceled after two seasons.

Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin

The PLL spin-off series centered on a new group of teens (Bailee Madison, Maia Reficco, Chandler Kinney, and Mallory Bechtel) tormented by an unknown assailant was renewed for season 2, though an expected premiere date has not yet been shared.

Gossip Girl

The Gossip Girl reboot following a new generation New York private school teenagers (Emily Alyn Lind, Whitney Peak, Thomas Doherty, Zión Moreno, Jordan Alexander, and Evan Mock) was canceled after two seasons.

FBoy Island

The reality dating series, centered on women who need to weed out the "f--- boys" from "nice guys" as potential suitors, was canceled after two seasons; however, the CW reportedly plans to pick it up and a spin-off titled FGirl Island.
FBOY Island

Mia and Danny in 'FBoy Island'

| CREDIT: HASSEN SALUM/HBO MAX

Titans

The gritty, coming-of-age take on the Teen Titans franchise starring Teagan Croft, Anna Diop, Brenton Thwaites, and Ryan Potter was given a fourth and final season. The first eight episodes of which are streaming now on Max, with the series finale set for May 11.

Legendary

The voguing reality competition series inspired by the underground ballroom community was canceled after three seasons.

Tokyo Vice

The crime drama series based on Jake Adelstein's 2009 memoir and starring Ansel Elgort as Adelstein, a journalist who plugs into the Tokyo Vice police squad, was renewed for season 2, though an expected premiere date has not yet been shared.

Selena + Chef

The cooking reality series from pop star and actress Selena Gomez has not been canceled or renewed for a potential season 5.

Doom Patrol

Doom Patrol, the comedy-drama series about a team of traumatized and downtrodden superheroes (starring Brendan Fraser, April Bowlby, Joivan Wade, and Riley Shanahan) was canceled after four seasons.

Starstruck

The rom-com about a millennial in London (Rose Matafeo) who continues to cross paths with a famous film star (Nikesh Patel) after a one-night stand was renewed for season 3, though an expected premiere date has not yet been shared.
Starstruck

Rose Matafeo in 'Starstruck'

| CREDIT: MARK JOHNSON/HBO MAX

The Other Two

The Other Two, a comedy about a pair of siblings — one with dreams of becoming an actor (Drew Tarver), the other on the road to self improvement (Heléne Yorke) — whose lives are turned upside down after their teenage brother (Case Walker) was renewed for season 3 and will return May 4.

Sweet Life: Los Angeles

Issa Rae's reality series centered on the ventures of young Black adults as they pursue their dreams in sunny Los Angeles was canceled after two seasons.

Green Lantern

The upcoming series, rumored to be centered around multiple Green Lanterns spanning several periods of time, remains "very much alive" and "definitely moving forward," Max said.

The Penguin

The Batman spin-off series centered on the villain played by Colin Farrell is expected to premiere in 2024. Max released a first look.

Harley Quinn

Harley Quinn, the animated series that stars Kaley Cuoco as the criminal queenpin in Gotham City, was renewed for season 4 with a new showrunner, though an expected premiere date has not yet been shared.

Madame X and Constantine reboot​

Both from J.J. Abrams (who has several projects in development with the streamer), both to be shopped elsewhere after Max passed.

Justice League Dark

Abrams is attached to this ensemble live-action drama that will bring several iconic heroes together. No updates have been shared.

Val-Zod series

Michael B. Jordan is attached to executive produce the series centered on Val-Zod, a Black Kryptonian who found his way to Earth and takes over the mantle as Superman. No updates have been shared.

DC Super Hero High

Max announced that the comedy from Elizabeth Banks, centered on adolescences at a boarding school for gifted kids, was in the works, but no updates have been shared.

Pennyworth

The former Epix prequel series that explores the origin story of the Batman butler was canceled after three seasons.

My Adventures With Superman

The animated series starring Jack Quaid as Clark Kent as he builds his Superman persona received a two-season order. A recent teaser showing Quaid as Superman announced the show was "coming soon."

Dune: The Sisterhood

A prequel to the original Dune, the series about the lives of the Bene Gesserit, has been reported to be on a production hiatus.
A full list of new and returning shows and movies greenlit at Max can be found here.

 

blackbull1970

The Black Bastard
Platinum Member
Not looking too good for the Flash film if WB is putting “Barbie” up as its flagship summer blockbuster film on Day One of CinemaCon…

Warner Bros. Discovery previews a stacked film slate, centered around this summer's 'Barbie'

CEO David Zaslav told attendees at the annual cinema convention that the studio will release 16 films in 2023 and hopes to do more than 20 releases annually going forward.

Sarah Whitten
PUBLISHED TUE, APR 25 2023


Let's go, Barbie.

107088338-1657740082758-barbie_Cropped.jpg

Warner Bros. Discovery put the forthcoming film at the center of its CinemaCon studio presentation on Tuesday, with executives — including Jeff Goldstein, president of domestic distribution, and Andrew Cripps, president of international distribution — and Hollywood stars Greta Gerwig, Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling all clad in various shades of pink.

And all to the tune of "Barbie Girl."

Warner Bros. is offering a wide slate of films in 2023 across drama, comedy, horror and action. CEO David Zaslav told attendees at the annual cinema convention that the studio will release 16 films in 2023 and hopes to do more than 20 releases annually going forward.

But on Tuesday it was all about Barbie.

The company showcased extended clips from the film, which elicited raucous laughter from the audience. Director Gerwig promised big laughs and big heart from the film, which arrives July 21.

Warner Bros. also rolled trailers and clips of "Wonka," "Meg 2: The Trench," "The Nun 2" and "The Color Purple" as well as an early look at "Dune: Part Two," which was shot entirely with IMAX cameras.

Director Denis Villeneuve promised more action and political intrigue in the second installment. "Dune," released in 2021, generated nearly $400 million at the global box office and snared six Academy Awards during the 2022 Oscars ceremony.

Warner Bros. capped its presentation with words from Peter Safran, one half of its new duo of creative leaders at DC Studios.

Safran shared footage from "Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom," "Blue Beetle" and "The Flash." The company is screening the Ezra Miller-led "The Flash" to CinemaCon attendees on Tuesday.

Zaslav says he's seen "The Flash" three times and told CinemaCon audiences "it's the best superhero movie I've ever seen."

He also reassured media and insiders that Warner Bros. Discovery is committed to long-term theatrical releases, saying the company is in "no rush to bring movies to Max," the company's forthcoming flagship streaming service.



 

tallblacknyc

Rising Star
Certified Pussy Poster
Not looking too good for the Flash film if WB is putting “Barbie” up as its flagship summer blockbuster film on Day One of CinemaCon…

Warner Bros. Discovery previews a stacked film slate, centered around this summer's 'Barbie'

CEO David Zaslav told attendees at the annual cinema convention that the studio will release 16 films in 2023 and hopes to do more than 20 releases annually going forward.

Sarah Whitten
PUBLISHED TUE, APR 25 2023


Let's go, Barbie.

107088338-1657740082758-barbie_Cropped.jpg

Warner Bros. Discovery put the forthcoming film at the center of its CinemaCon studio presentation on Tuesday, with executives — including Jeff Goldstein, president of domestic distribution, and Andrew Cripps, president of international distribution — and Hollywood stars Greta Gerwig, Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling all clad in various shades of pink.

And all to the tune of "Barbie Girl."

Warner Bros. is offering a wide slate of films in 2023 across drama, comedy, horror and action. CEO David Zaslav told attendees at the annual cinema convention that the studio will release 16 films in 2023 and hopes to do more than 20 releases annually going forward.

But on Tuesday it was all about Barbie.

The company showcased extended clips from the film, which elicited raucous laughter from the audience. Director Gerwig promised big laughs and big heart from the film, which arrives July 21.

Warner Bros. also rolled trailers and clips of "Wonka," "Meg 2: The Trench," "The Nun 2" and "The Color Purple" as well as an early look at "Dune: Part Two," which was shot entirely with IMAX cameras.

Director Denis Villeneuve promised more action and political intrigue in the second installment. "Dune," released in 2021, generated nearly $400 million at the global box office and snared six Academy Awards during the 2022 Oscars ceremony.

Warner Bros. capped its presentation with words from Peter Safran, one half of its new duo of creative leaders at DC Studios.

Safran shared footage from "Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom," "Blue Beetle" and "The Flash." The company is screening the Ezra Miller-led "The Flash" to CinemaCon attendees on Tuesday.

Zaslav says he's seen "The Flash" three times and told CinemaCon audiences "it's the best superhero movie I've ever seen."

He also reassured media and insiders that Warner Bros. Discovery is committed to long-term theatrical releases, saying the company is in "no rush to bring movies to Max," the company's forthcoming flagship streaming service.




Wtf a Barbie movie


Beach you off? What kinda super pause shit dialogue was that
 

blackbull1970

The Black Bastard
Platinum Member

In renaming ‘HBO Max,’ Warner Bros. Discovery hedges its bets in streaming​


Calling the service Max sets up Warner Bros. Discovery to challenge Netflix and Disney for global streaming dominance, but that hasn’t been the company’s messaging for the past year.


107224538-1681384149556-gettyimages-1481749659-jpk07352_oowamopa.jpeg
 
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