About the only thing I can predict with certainty is that 2026 is going to be a busy year. And as we look ahead into the new year, here are a few storylines we\u2019ll be following \u2014 and a few of my own guesses.<\/p>\n
You\u2019re reading the Wide Shot <\/p>\n
Samantha Masunaga delivers the latest news, analysis and insights on everything from streaming wars to production \u2014 and what it all means for the future.<\/p>\n
By continuing, you agree to our Terms of Service<\/a> and our Privacy Policy<\/a>. <\/p>\n What happens with Warner Bros.?<\/p>\n It\u2019s no surprise that the Warner Bros. deal<\/a> is at the top of the list. Expect this saga to continue playing out in 2026, as all players involved continue to push for their desired outcome. Though Netflix and Warner\u2019s boards have approved the deal, it still needs shareholder and regulatory approval, which is far from assured.<\/p>\n Paramount has already made a direct appeal to Warner\u2019s shareholders, and the David Ellison-led company is clearly not giving up without a fight. David Ellison\u2019s dad \u2014 the tech billionaire and Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison \u2014 is backing his son\u2019s bid and is friendly with President Trump, who previously indicated a preference for the Paramount offer, though he has recently made complimentary remarks about Netflix Co-Chief Executive Ted Sarandos.<\/p>\n After Warner\u2019s board dismissed Paramount\u2019s $30-a-share bid as inadequate and opaque, Larry Ellison upped the ante, personally guaranteeing $40.4 billion in equity<\/a> needed for Paramount\u2019s proposed takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery. <\/p>\n Paramount says Warner shareholders should tender their shares by Jan. 21.<\/p>\n A win by either bidder would fundamentally change Hollywood and raise antitrust concerns, experts say. It could also make the already bleak jobs situation in the film and TV business even more difficult.<\/p>\n The Magic Kingdom will have a new leader<\/p>\n Walt Disney Co. is expected to name its new chief executive in early 2026, drawing to a close the most-speculated-about succession decision in Hollywood.<\/p>\n With current CEO Bob Iger\u2019s second retirement looming, the stakes are high<\/a> for the next Mouse House chief. Disney has already gone through the succession process once, but the company\u2019s board ended up firing Bob Chapek in 2022 and reinstating Iger.<\/p>\n Josh D\u2019Amaro<\/a>, Disney\u2019s theme parks and experiences chief, is viewed by many insiders as the leading contender<\/a>, though other internal candidates are also said to be in the mix, including Dana Walden, co-chairman of Disney Entertainment, who is in charge of television and streaming; Alan Bergman, co-chairman of Disney Entertainment, who oversees movies; and ESPN chief Jimmy Pitaro.<\/p>\n Whoever takes over Disney will have to navigate a changed landscape in Hollywood (particularly once the Warner deal is completed), as well as the uncertain future for the theatrical box office, the ongoing challenges of linear TV and looming concerns about artificial intelligence.<\/p>\n AI\u2019s role in Hollywood<\/p>\n Speaking of AI, debate over its role in the entertainment business will continue to be a hot-button topic into the new year.<\/p>\n In 2025, we saw fierce discussion about AI-generated composite Tilly Norwood, as well as a growing number of lawsuits or cease-and-desist letters from studios against AI companies, including Midjourney and Character.AI, for alleged copyright infringement violations.<\/p>\n After rattling many Hollywood <\/a>executives over his company\u2019s aggressive use of copyrighted images and likenesses, Sam Altman\u2019s Open AI earlier this month reached a major licensing deal with Disney<\/a> to use more than 200 characters in its text-to-video tool, Sora. Under the deal, Disney also agreed to invest $1 billion in the AI startup.<\/p>\n Not everyone was thrilled with the announcement. A group of prominent filmmakers and actors have launched a new coalition <\/a>that aims to advocate for the rights of creators amid the growing AI industry. With labor discussions coming up next year between studios and the Hollywood unions, expect AI to be a front-burner issue, much as it was during the strikes by writers and actors in 2023.<\/p>\n More Saudi money?<\/p>\n This year, we saw the re-emergence of Saudi Arabia as a key funding source<\/a> for Hollywood.<\/p>\n As The Times recently reported, the kingdom\u2019s sovereign wealth fund was involved in several of the biggest Hollywood deals this year, including Paramount\u2019s bid for Warner Bros. Discovery, the leveraged buyout of video game giant Electronic Arts Inc. and former Lionsgate executive Erik Feig\u2019s new Arena SNK Studios.<\/p>\n It\u2019s a stark turnaround from just a few years ago, when many in the creative community shunned the authoritarian country after the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. <\/p>\n Given Hollywood\u2019s shaky finances these days, more Saudi investments will likely flow into U.S. entertainment and sports arenas in the coming year. Already, major studios are looking to grow their footprint in the Middle East \u2014 Disney plans to build a new theme park in Abu Dhabi while rival Universal is also eyeing a possible project in Saudia Arabia<\/a>. <\/p>\n A return to normalcy at the 2026 box office?<\/p>\n After a tough 2025<\/a>, it should be a stacked lineup at the box office next year, as I reported Monday.<\/p>\n There\u2019s a slew of potentially big blockbusters slated for release, including Sony Pictures\u2019 \u201cSpider-Man: Brand New Day,\u201d Legendary Entertainment and Warner Bros.\u2019s \u201cDune: Part Three,\u201d Christopher Nolan\u2019s \u201cThe Odyssey,\u201d Disney and Marvel Studios\u2019 \u201cAvengers: Doomsday,\u201d Universal Pictures\u2019 \u201cThe Super Mario Galaxy Movie\u201d and Disney and Pixar\u2019s \u201cToy Story 5.\u201d<\/p>\n That\u2019s giving industry analysts and studio insiders hope that next year could be a big year for theatrical revenue. It\u2019ll also be a bit of a litmus test \u2014 can big superhero movies still bring out crowds like they used to? Will favorite franchises like \u201cToy Story\u201d find continued success? <\/p>\n I\u2019m also interested in how movies like \u201cThe Devil Wears Prada 2\u201d perform \u2014 this year, I heard a constant refrain that female audiences are still underserved, with few big movies geared toward women. Can the Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway-led movie, along with others like \u201cWuthering Heights,\u201d finally start making the promises made after \u201cBarbie\u201d a reality? We\u2019ll have to wait and see.<\/p>\n Stuff We WroteFilm shoots Number of the week North Hollywood-based Western Costume Co. has sued Kevin Costner<\/a> and the production companies behind his western anthology \u201cHorizon: An American Saga,\u201d alleging unpaid costume fees and damage to some of the clothing used during the filming of the second episode.<\/p>\n The costume house is seeking about $440,000, including legal fees, my colleague Stacy Perman reported<\/a>.<\/p>\n This lawsuit is just the latest legal problem for Costner and his intended four-part western saga.<\/p>\n So far, only \u201cChapter 1\u201d has released in theaters and on HBO Max, though it was largely panned by critics. \u201cChapter 2\u201d premiered at the Venice International Film Festival, but has not been released in theaters.<\/p>\n Finally …<\/p>\n![\"four](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/1767109811_672_.png\")
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