Matt Belloni
@mattbelloni.bsky.social
Founding partner @pucknews, host @ringer The Town, @kcrw; Ex-editor @HollywoodReporter, entertainment lawyer. Get my email: https://puck.news/author/matthew-belloni/
I teased this last night in What I’m Hearing but now confirmed: Paramount WILL release Rush Hour 4 after prodding from Trump on behalf of Brett Ratner. Distribution deal. Producer Tarak Ben Ammar is lining up financing. Get ready for the dumbest possible state-controlled media.
November 25, 2025 at 5:02 PM
I teased this last night in What I’m Hearing but now confirmed: Paramount WILL release Rush Hour 4 after prodding from Trump on behalf of Brett Ratner. Distribution deal. Producer Tarak Ben Ammar is lining up financing. Get ready for the dumbest possible state-controlled media.
New pod: It's James Cameron, Part 2! His Disney relationship, why Marvel's 3D "sucks," the Billie Eilish doc, and whether humans are really alone in the universe. Plus: A Lightning Round! Listen! open.spotify.com/episode/0igv...
Part 2: James Cameron on ‘Avatar 4’ and ‘5,’ Movie Biz Fears, 3D, Netflix, and Aliens
open.spotify.com
November 24, 2025 at 9:11 PM
New pod: It's James Cameron, Part 2! His Disney relationship, why Marvel's 3D "sucks," the Billie Eilish doc, and whether humans are really alone in the universe. Plus: A Lightning Round! Listen! open.spotify.com/episode/0igv...
New pod: It's James Cameron! Why Netflix buying Warner Bros. would be "a disaster," what he talks about with Elon Musk, wanting to direct WICKED, and why performance capture is the "purest form of cinema acting." Part one of two! Listen! open.spotify.com/episode/27T4...
Part 1: James Cameron on Avatar Misconceptions, AI’s Skynet Moment, and His Elon Musk Friendship
open.spotify.com
November 24, 2025 at 4:33 PM
New pod: It's James Cameron! Why Netflix buying Warner Bros. would be "a disaster," what he talks about with Elon Musk, wanting to direct WICKED, and why performance capture is the "purest form of cinema acting." Part one of two! Listen! open.spotify.com/episode/27T4...
New pod: The mid-2000s were an inflection point in entertainment, with upstarts that would eventually topple a 100 year old oligopoly. What could have been done differently, with former Viacom CEO Tom Freston. Listen! open.spotify.com/episode/5YyN...
Did Hollywood Ever Have a Chance Against YouTube?
open.spotify.com
November 20, 2025 at 3:41 PM
New pod: The mid-2000s were an inflection point in entertainment, with upstarts that would eventually topple a 100 year old oligopoly. What could have been done differently, with former Viacom CEO Tom Freston. Listen! open.spotify.com/episode/5YyN...
New pod: With Warner Bros. courting a sale, the antitrust brigade is now plotting how to block it. With Biden’s DoJ enforcer Jonathan Kanter. Listen! open.spotify.com/episode/5tsR...
The Brewing Backlash to Hollywood Consolidation
open.spotify.com
November 19, 2025 at 4:48 PM
New pod: With Warner Bros. courting a sale, the antitrust brigade is now plotting how to block it. With Biden’s DoJ enforcer Jonathan Kanter. Listen! open.spotify.com/episode/5tsR...
Sydney Sweeney is officially in play, David Ellison pitches his Warner takeover, Amazon investigates one of its own, Glen Powell misjudges his own appeal, and MUCH more. A new @puck.news What I’m Hearing is here! ⬇️⬇️ puck.news/newsletter_c...
What I’m Hearing: Ellison’s Pitch, Sydney on the Move & The Glen Powell Paradox
Nov 17, 2025 Matthew Belloni Welcome back to What I’m Hearing, soggy from the L.A. rain, which tragically grounded the Marty Supreme blimp that was set to float over Timothée Chalamet’s various press ...
puck.news
November 18, 2025 at 4:37 PM
Sydney Sweeney is officially in play, David Ellison pitches his Warner takeover, Amazon investigates one of its own, Glen Powell misjudges his own appeal, and MUCH more. A new @puck.news What I’m Hearing is here! ⬇️⬇️ puck.news/newsletter_c...
New pod: Why are so many small movies getting such big releases? And is the fall bloodbath just a sign of unappealing films? With @lucasshaw.bsky.social. Listen! open.spotify.com/episode/2IPu...
The Fall Box Office Crisis: A Phase, a Fluke, or the Future?
open.spotify.com
November 18, 2025 at 12:30 AM
New pod: Why are so many small movies getting such big releases? And is the fall bloodbath just a sign of unappealing films? With @lucasshaw.bsky.social. Listen! open.spotify.com/episode/2IPu...
Spent some time over the past 6 months with NY Times Magazine writer Irina Aleksander and talked about this transformational (and frightening) moment in Hollywood history... and chronicling it all in real time. ⬇️⬇️ www.nytimes.com/2025/11/16/b...
The Man Yelling ‘Iceberg!’ on the Hollywood Titanic
www.nytimes.com
November 17, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Spent some time over the past 6 months with NY Times Magazine writer Irina Aleksander and talked about this transformational (and frightening) moment in Hollywood history... and chronicling it all in real time. ⬇️⬇️ www.nytimes.com/2025/11/16/b...
Scooter Braun wanted to take over OnlyFans, and they wanted him. What happened ⬇️⬇️ puck.news/scooter-brau...
Scooter Braun Wanted to Buy OnlyFans
The former Justin Bieber manager was in talks to take over the porn-friendly video platform, but abruptly walked away from the deal.
puck.news
November 14, 2025 at 3:10 PM
Scooter Braun wanted to take over OnlyFans, and they wanted him. What happened ⬇️⬇️ puck.news/scooter-brau...
New pod: Sony is kicking butt in an area of animation that Disney and Universal both missed. Why? With Crunchyroll president Rahul Purini. Listen! open.spotify.com/episode/3Wtf...
Why Anime Is Becoming Undeniable in Hollywood
open.spotify.com
November 14, 2025 at 12:47 AM
New pod: Sony is kicking butt in an area of animation that Disney and Universal both missed. Why? With Crunchyroll president Rahul Purini. Listen! open.spotify.com/episode/3Wtf...
New pod: How Tubi got profitable, and why every platform now wants YouTube creators. With Tubi CEO Anjali Sud. Listen! open.spotify.com/episode/1Chz...
Tubi Takes on YouTube, and a Michael Jackson Movie Update
open.spotify.com
November 12, 2025 at 11:51 PM
New pod: How Tubi got profitable, and why every platform now wants YouTube creators. With Tubi CEO Anjali Sud. Listen! open.spotify.com/episode/1Chz...
New @puck.news: Comcast’s CEO is considering doing a Universal theme park in Saudi Arabia and just toured a possible site. Would he bring the deep-pocketed (and deeply problematic) Saudis in on a bid for all or part of Warner Bros Discovery? puck.news/what-was-bri...
What Was Brian Roberts Doing In Saudi Arabia?
The Comcast C.E.O., who’s at least nominally in the WBD hunt, was conspicuously absent last week when Hollywood’s elite feted David Zaslav. Was he searching for a deep-pocketed backer?
puck.news
November 11, 2025 at 3:19 PM
New @puck.news: Comcast’s CEO is considering doing a Universal theme park in Saudi Arabia and just toured a possible site. Would he bring the deep-pocketed (and deeply problematic) Saudis in on a bid for all or part of Warner Bros Discovery? puck.news/what-was-bri...
New pod: What happens if YouTubeTV just flips the bird to Disney and says "Nah, we're good without you." With @lucasshaw.bsky.social. Listen! open.spotify.com/episode/69WZ...
YouTube vs. Disney: Who Needs Whom More?
open.spotify.com
November 10, 2025 at 11:22 PM
New pod: What happens if YouTubeTV just flips the bird to Disney and says "Nah, we're good without you." With @lucasshaw.bsky.social. Listen! open.spotify.com/episode/69WZ...
New pod: It’s a Town Hall mailbag episode! Your questions, my attempts at answers, with cameos by David Ellison’s chutzpah, Kathy Kennedy’s indecision, Rachel Sennott’s premiere finger foods, Comcast’s desperation, and…. CT and Bananas. Listen! open.spotify.com/episode/0qOM...
Mailbag! 'Star Wars' and Soderbergh, the Best Home for Warner Bros., and Netflix vs. Theaters.
open.spotify.com
November 5, 2025 at 5:26 PM
New pod: It’s a Town Hall mailbag episode! Your questions, my attempts at answers, with cameos by David Ellison’s chutzpah, Kathy Kennedy’s indecision, Rachel Sennott’s premiere finger foods, Comcast’s desperation, and…. CT and Bananas. Listen! open.spotify.com/episode/0qOM...
New pod: You’ve got 5 picks, plus one TV wildcard, money’s no object, goal is to dominate movies for the next 10-20 years. Who you got? With consensus #1 pick @lucasshaw.bsky.social. Listen! open.spotify.com/episode/3eRN...
The 2025 Movie Franchise Draft
open.spotify.com
November 3, 2025 at 1:26 PM
New pod: You’ve got 5 picks, plus one TV wildcard, money’s no object, goal is to dominate movies for the next 10-20 years. Who you got? With consensus #1 pick @lucasshaw.bsky.social. Listen! open.spotify.com/episode/3eRN...
New @puck.news: Taylor Sheridan's movie deal isn't exactly what's been reported, some clarity on his obligations to Paramount, and new data on the outsized value of his shows. ⬇️⬇️ puck.news/taylor-sheri...
Taylor Sheridan Burning Questions and Smoking Guns
My recent reveal of the ‘Yellowstone’ creator’s jump from Paramount to NBCUniversal unleashed a torrent of questions, most of which can be answered here.
puck.news
October 31, 2025 at 5:45 PM
New @puck.news: Taylor Sheridan's movie deal isn't exactly what's been reported, some clarity on his obligations to Paramount, and new data on the outsized value of his shows. ⬇️⬇️ puck.news/taylor-sheri...
New pod: How will the inevitable AI bubble-burst impact the already struggling Hollywood? With 1929 author/journalist/CBNC-er @andrewrsorkin.bsky.social. Listen! open.spotify.com/episode/2RZC...
Spotify – Web Player
open.spotify.com
October 30, 2025 at 11:36 PM
New pod: How will the inevitable AI bubble-burst impact the already struggling Hollywood? With 1929 author/journalist/CBNC-er @andrewrsorkin.bsky.social. Listen! open.spotify.com/episode/2RZC...
New in Taylor Sheridan-land: The film project I referenced on The Town is the Call of Duty movie at Paramount, which he will co-write/produce for Pete Berg to co-write/direct/produce.
October 30, 2025 at 5:02 PM
New in Taylor Sheridan-land: The film project I referenced on The Town is the Call of Duty movie at Paramount, which he will co-write/produce for Pete Berg to co-write/direct/produce.
New pod: With Sydney Sweeney's boxing drama CHRISTY, a veteran producer is now a U.S. distributor. Why would anyone want to release indie movies in this economy?! With Teddy Schwarzman. Listen! open.spotify.com/episode/3Zj8...
The Risks and Rewards of Self-Distributing Movies, With Black Bear’s Teddy Schwarzman
open.spotify.com
October 29, 2025 at 11:38 PM
New pod: With Sydney Sweeney's boxing drama CHRISTY, a veteran producer is now a U.S. distributor. Why would anyone want to release indie movies in this economy?! With Teddy Schwarzman. Listen! open.spotify.com/episode/3Zj8...
Reposted by Matt Belloni
New pod: The pros and cons of poaching TV’s top creator, even if you can’t have him for 3 years. With @lucasshaw.bsky.social. Listen! open.spotify.com/episode/0LNd...
Savvy or Desperate? NBCU Poaches Taylor Sheridan From Paramount.
open.spotify.com
October 27, 2025 at 11:50 PM
New pod: The pros and cons of poaching TV’s top creator, even if you can’t have him for 3 years. With @lucasshaw.bsky.social. Listen! open.spotify.com/episode/0LNd...
Within Hollywood, David Ellison was considered a potential "savior" of Paramount. Now, as he pursues Warner Bros., many believe he's a problem... puck.news/the-david-el...
The David Ellison Resistance Takes Shape
Paramount Skydance is pitching itself as Hollywood’s last hope. Yet as layoffs mount and the WBD mega-merger beckons, a growing alliance of industry people are talking about pushing back.
puck.news
October 27, 2025 at 9:19 PM
Within Hollywood, David Ellison was considered a potential "savior" of Paramount. Now, as he pursues Warner Bros., many believe he's a problem... puck.news/the-david-el...
At the highest level, talent relations really matter in Hollywood. Paramount bought a Nicole Kidman show without giving a courtesy heads up to Taylor Sheridan, who already makes a Nicole Kidman show. puck.news/taylor-sheri...
Taylor Sheridan Is Leaving Paramount
TV’s top creator has just closed a massive deal with a rival for when his commitments with Paramount are up. It’s a major move for the ‘Yellowstone’ and ‘Landman’ creator, but perhaps an even bigger c...
puck.news
October 27, 2025 at 3:36 PM
At the highest level, talent relations really matter in Hollywood. Paramount bought a Nicole Kidman show without giving a courtesy heads up to Taylor Sheridan, who already makes a Nicole Kidman show. puck.news/taylor-sheri...
Big Hollywood news: Taylor Sheridan, TV’s top creator, just got poached. All the details and the wild backstory. ⬇️⬇️ puck.news/taylor-sheri...
Taylor Sheridan Is Leaving Paramount
TV’s top creator has just closed a massive deal with a rival for when his commitments with Paramount are up. It’s a major move for the ‘Yellowstone’ and ‘Landman’ creator, but perhaps an even bigger c...
puck.news
October 27, 2025 at 2:03 AM
Big Hollywood news: Taylor Sheridan, TV’s top creator, just got poached. All the details and the wild backstory. ⬇️⬇️ puck.news/taylor-sheri...
PSA: No @PuckNews What I'm Hearing email tonight. My effort wasn't good enough to send. To respect our members' time, I'd rather skip a day and send something I'm happy with on Monday. Apologies! 💫💫
October 24, 2025 at 3:31 AM
PSA: No @PuckNews What I'm Hearing email tonight. My effort wasn't good enough to send. To respect our members' time, I'd rather skip a day and send something I'm happy with on Monday. Apologies! 💫💫