With David Ellison's Skydance now firmly in control of Paramount Global, the entertainment giant finds itself with a wealth of intellectual property at its fingertips. Following a challenging federal approval process that sparked significant backlash, Ellison and his team have not only established a legacy distributor but also gained access to a treasure trove of content in various stages of production and development. As the newly formed Skydance-Paramount team gears up to finalize its leadership, notable changes are already underway, including the departure of Paramount Global co-CEO Chris McCarthy and expected exits from Paramount Pictures CEO Brian Robbins. The only leader confirmed to remain is CBS's George Cheeks.
Brian Robbins, who became president and CEO of Paramount Pictures in 2021, played a pivotal role in boosting original film production and acquisitions, reversing the studio's trend of minimal output compared to its competitors. As a result, the studio is set for a bustling fourth quarter. The much-anticipated reboot of The Naked Gun, featuring Liam Neeson and Pamela Anderson and directed by Akiva Schaffer of The Lonely Island fame, is scheduled to hit theaters next week. Following that, director Derek Cianfrance will debut his crime dramedy Roofman, starring Channing Tatum and Kirsten Dunst, in October. The studio will also release an adaptation of Colleen Hoover's novel Regretting You, starring Alison Williams and Dave Franco.
November will bring The Running Man, featuring rising star Glen Powell, while the year will wrap up with The SpongeBob Movie: The Search for SquarePants, a family-friendly film set for release during the Christmas holiday window.
Paramount has an exciting lineup planned for 2026, including Scream 7, a highly anticipated return to the slasher genre produced in collaboration with Spyglass Media Group, slated for February. Additionally, an untitled feature from Trey Parker, Matt Stone, rapper Kendrick Lamar, and Dave Free is set for March. The revival of the popular spoof series Scary Movie is scheduled for June, alongside a new installment in the beloved Paw Patrol franchise in July.
Studio insiders are eagerly anticipating the release of The Legend of Aang: The Last Airbender, an animated action film featuring voice talents like Dave Bautista and Steven Yeun. Excitement is also building for new films based on franchises such as Sonic the Hedgehog, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Angry Birds, and another sequel in the Meet the Parents universe featuring Ben Stiller and Ariana Grande. At the beginning of 2027, Paramount will unveil Children of Blood and Bone, a fantasy epic directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood and starring Cynthia Erivo, Idris Elba, and Viola Davis. Moreover, Paramount is in early development for its lucrative film franchises, including Transformers and Star Trek, though the future of the Mission: Impossible series remains uncertain.
David Ellison has emphasized the need for a tech revolution within the merged Skydance-Paramount, particularly regarding its streaming operations, interface, and content model. Paramount Global boasts a diverse array of hit shows across various platforms, including linear networks and streaming services.
CBS NetworkDespite the ongoing decline in linear TV viewership, CBS remains a powerhouse with flagship shows and spinoffs like NCIS and FBI maintaining their popularity. Comedies such as Ghosts and Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage are among the most-watched comedies nationwide, while drama series like Tracker continue to attract substantial audiences. Long-running reality competitions, including Survivor, Big Brother, and The Amazing Race, also draw large viewership even after many seasons.
Paramount+Paramount+ has effectively become synonymous with Taylor Sheridan, who oversees numerous shows, including Landman, Lioness, Tulsa King, and Mayor of Kingstown. The streamer is also developing a Yellowstone prequel titled 1944, following the success of previous installments 1883 and 1923. Additionally, there are plans for a new spinoff of Yellowstone featuring Cole Hauser and Kelly Reilly, as well as a spinoff of Tulsa King starring Samuel L. Jackson. The Star Trek franchise remains active on the platform with shows like Strange New Worlds and the upcoming Starfleet Academy, both of which have secured renewals, although the future of the Star Trek universe beyond these series is yet to be determined.
NickelodeonNickelodeon continues to deliver multi-quadrant offerings, closely mirroring the studio's film division with popular content like SpongeBob SquarePants and animated productions related to Avatar.
ShowtimeOnce known for its prestige dramas, Showtime has transitioned to well-received offshoots of Dexter, including a prequel titled Dexter: Original Sin and a sequel, Dexter: Resurrection.
Comedy CentralComedy Central remains dominated by the ever-popular South Park. Paramount Global has navigated complex negotiations to secure another deal with its creators. Additionally, the network features The Daily Show and the revival of Mike Judge’s Beavis & Butthead, which is set to air its third season on Comedy Central starting in September.
As David Ellison's Skydance moves forward with its new acquisition of Paramount Global, the potential for groundbreaking content across film and television is immense, setting the stage for an exciting future in the entertainment industry.
