Paramount Pictures CEO Brian Robbins recently made a playful reference to the ongoing sales talks involving Paramount Global during his presentation at the annual CinemaCon convention in Las Vegas. Addressing a gathering of theater owners, Robbins humorously mentioned the speculation surrounding the sale before revealing a lighthearted joke about his colleague Chris Aronson raising money for a bid through a Kickstarter campaign.
The crowd at Caesars Palace was entertained by a mock news report featuring Aronson holding a cardboard sign seeking donations, adding a touch of levity to the event. Known for his strong connections with theater owners, Aronson's theatrical entrances have become a signature feature at CinemaCon.
While Robbins refrained from delving into specifics about the sales process, he emphasized Paramount's commitment to delivering top-tier entertainment amid uncertain times. Highlighting the studio's focus on attracting top talent, Robbins unveiled upcoming projects from acclaimed filmmakers such as Damien Chazelle, Edgar Wright, and Glenn Powell, along with plans for reboots of popular satire films like 'The Naked Gun' and 'Scary Movie.'
The potential sale of Paramount Global, under the majority ownership of National Amusements Inc., gained momentum in early April with exclusive negotiations initiated with David Ellison's Skydance. Paramount Global's diverse assets encompass Paramount Pictures, the CBS network, various cable channels including Comedy Central and MTV, and streaming platforms Paramount+ and Pluto TV.
Robbins also teased an exciting film slate featuring highly anticipated sequels like 'Gladiator II,' a new installment in the 'A Quiet Place' series by John Krasinski, and a follow-up to the horror hit 'Smile.' The dynamic landscape of mergers and acquisitions in the entertainment industry adds an intriguing layer to events like CinemaCon, where executives strive to showcase their upcoming projects while navigating potential organizational changes.
