Director Tony Gilroy expressed strong opposition to the pending Paramount-Warner Bros. merger during the world premiere of his new film “Behemoth!” at the New York Film Festival. Speaking to media on Friday night, Gilroy contended that the film industry remains fundamentally sound despite widespread perceptions of crisis, with audiences continuing to engage actively with cinema and television content. He argued that dismantling the industry’s established structure in the name of venture capital represents a tragic mistake.
The merger, announced by David Ellison, will consolidate Paramount and Warner Bros. under Skydance, reducing Hollywood’s traditional Big Five studios to four major corporate entities. Skydance has tentatively scheduled the transaction to close on Tuesday, Oct. 6. While Ellison has stated that both studios will maintain separate identities following the consolidation, industry figures have raised concerns about its broader implications.
“Behemoth!,” produced with a $36 million budget and starring Pedro Pascal, represents the mid-budget adult-oriented drama category that historically sustained theatrical distribution in Hollywood. The film has been selected as the centerpiece presentation for the 64th New York Film Festival. Gilroy noted that securing greenlight approval and distribution for such projects faces mounting challenges, positioning the festival’s curated lineup as a notable bright spot during an uncertain period for the industry.
Producer Sanne Wohlenberg echoed concerns about consolidation, suggesting it will significantly limit competitive opportunities for filmmakers while expressing hope that historical precedent indicates eventual industry recovery. Gilroy credited Searchlight Pictures, the indie studio owned by Walt Disney Company, for backing both “Behemoth!” and the Emmy-winning series “Andor,” emphasizing the difficulty of bringing such projects to audiences without institutional support.
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