The Story One big Hollywood drama
Dec 11, 2025
Kevin Maher, Chief film critic at The Times, shares insights on Warner Bros.' iconic status and its legacy films. He discusses the significance of recent hits like Barbie and Joker while revealing corporate reasons behind the potential sale. Louisa Clarence-Smith, US business editor at The Times, explores the bidding war between Netflix and Paramount, detailing their differing strategies and the political implications of such a takeover. Both guests express concerns over how ownership changes might impact film history and the creative landscape.
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Warner Bros As A Legacy Brand
- Warner Bros is a legacy prestige studio that attracts auteur filmmakers for its brand and history.
- That heritage underpins why directors like Christopher Nolan choose to work with Warner Bros.
Recent Warner Bros Box-Office Hits
- Kevin Maher lists recent Warner Bros hits like Barbie, Batman and Dune as evidence of their blockbuster success.
- He highlights Joker as an example of Warner doing auteur-driven blockbusters within mainstream genres.
How The Sale Opportunity Appeared
- The sale emerged after Paramount Skydance approached Warner and management planned a split of assets.
- Netflix later struck a management-supported deal to merge studios and streaming while spinning off cable networks.