David Ellison, media mogul and powerhouse behind Skydance Media, turned heads in 2025 when he orchestrated the blockbuster merger with Paramount Global, taking the reins as CEO of Paramount Skydance.

Known for bold bids and high-profile alliances, he recently led a fierce strategic challenge to block Warner Bros.’ merger with Netflix, leveraging global investors and political ties.

With a reputation for shaking up Hollywood power structures, Ellison continues to reshape the studio landscape, blending business audacity with blockbuster filmmaking influence.

Paramount CEO David Ellison this week took the Warner Bros. fight to Europe, meeting with UK Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Lisa Nandy and leading European creatives, as reported by Deadline.

Sources say top executives also convened with French President Emmanuel Macron and EU regulators in a high-stakes charm offensive aimed at bolstering support for a hostile takeover bid. The studio is aggressively attempting to derail the Warner Bros. deal with Netflix, which requires European Union approval to move forward.

Deadline hears from sources that David Ellison highlighted the preservation of cinema as a central theme in his European meetings this week. His focus is expected to resonate strongly with leaders across the continent, particularly in France, which enforces strict theatrical windowing.

The country’s dedication to the big screen is so strict that the Cannes Film Festival refuses to include Netflix films in its Competition lineup, underscoring the stakes of theatrical traditions as Ellison fights to prevent Netflix’s Paramount takeover.

Netflix Might Have Warner Bros in Its Shopping Cart Next

As Netflix edges closer to a Warner Bros. takeover, Paramount’s ambitious $108 billion bid stalls, sparking a high-stakes clash that could reshape Hollywood’s studio landscape.

The board of Warner Bros. Discovery has unanimously urged shareholders to reject Paramount Skydance’s hostile $108.4 billion bid. Submitted in early December 2025, the offer was deemed inadequate.

Paramount’s proposal included a $40.65 billion equity commitment, but the Ellison family, backed by billionaire Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, reportedly misled Warner Bros. shareholders regarding the guarantee of the offer. The rejection underscores the high-stakes tension between Hollywood’s studio giants and the audacious maneuvers of Paramount Skydance under David Ellison.

Warner Bros. Discovery warned shareholders that Paramount’s bid contains gaps, loopholes, and limitations that could jeopardize both investors and the company. The offer would have included all of Warner Bros.’ assets, from the Harry Potter franchise to streaming service HBO Max.

Executives emphasized that Paramount’s proposal lacked reliable financial guarantees and fell short of Netflix’s $27.75 per share offer. Paramount, owned by Sumner Redstone, is now under intense pressure as David Ellison steps in to mount a high-stakes rescue.

What Netflix Would Own if the Warner Bros. Acquisition Becomes Reality

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