Tony Gilroy Blasts Paramount Merger at 'Behemoth!' NYFF Premiere

Key Points:

• Tony Gilroy criticized the Paramount-Warner Bros. merger, calling it "tragic" and warning it threatens the mid-budget, adult-oriented drama films that have historically sustained Hollywood's theatrical business.
• Gilroy's new film "Behemoth!", produced on a $36 million budget and starring Pedro Pascal, exemplifies the type of film he fears will be endangered by the consolidation of studios under Skydance.
• The merger, set to close on October 6, will reduce Hollywood’s Big Five studios to four corporate owners, raising concerns among industry professionals about reduced opportunities and creative limitations for filmmakers.
• Despite the challenges, Gilroy praised the 64th New York Film Festival's strong lineup as a hopeful sign amid Hollywood's turbulence and expressed gratitude to Searchlight Pictures for supporting his film.
• Producer Sanne Wohlenberg acknowledged the industry's uncertain future but remains cautiously optimistic that the film business will eventually recover from the current consolidation-driven difficulties.