https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/toby-emmerich-floated-for-a-new-job-1234947641/
This dropped on the same day as THR ran a puff piece on the black Superman film project. I'm not surprised, now that WB has a pattern of running stories to distract bigger news.
Emmerich is one of the of the biggest culprits behind the whole JL fiasco, which includes lying to the entire world about how the reshoots would honour Snyder's vision. Rumour has it he not only caused further problems behind the scenes for ZSJL i.e. removing GL, leaking the film on HBO Max etc, it's believed he is the biggest stumbling block for any chance of the Snyderverse to continue in any shape or form.
Interesting how Emmerich wasn't aware his contact inquired about a position at Netflix on his behalf. Even more interesting is his idea to send the entire 2021 film slate to HBO Max - without telling all relevant creative parties - alienated people like Nolan and Villeneuve.
What's odd is the article mentioned about rumours that he and that other crook Sarnoff don't get along. What rumours? I thought they both share the same agenda, unless Emmerich craves even more power than what he already has.
There is no guarantee that somebody else who could replace will be better or worse, but the sooner this jerkoff gets booted out of WB, the better. If this was any other industry that had projects engulfed in mismanagement and disastrous PR scandals, he would've been blacklisted a long time ago.
I don't understand, I thought I wrote the title "Is Toby Emmerich getting pushed out of WB?" in the subject line in my first post, but it reverted to the Snyder cut HBO Max title instead. How annoying.
Anyway, I watched this video on the LightCast YouTube channel talking about this news in depth. Warning, it's two and a half hours long.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYl9k9IuW5k
They're convinced about Emmerich is being phased out. But I'm still baffled with this idea that him being promoted as content producer for HBO Max was a set-up for failure. After all the bad press WB has gained over the last four years, he should've been ousted a long time ago.
If AT&T were to wait out until Emmerich's contract expires at the end of next year, who knows how much damage he can cause. That is, unless, somebody steps in and takes the power away from him.
Quote from: The Laughing Fish on Fri, 7 May 2021, 11:54If AT&T were to wait out until Emmerich's contract expires at the end of next year, who knows how much damage he can cause. That is, unless, somebody steps in and takes the power away from him.
Hollywood is a vast hall of smoke and mirrors, thriving on the lack of transparency. Still, my understanding is that when an executive screws up so badly as to deserve the axe (not in a scandal way but in a job failure way), they usually sideline him and basically have him sharpen pencils all day as they run the contract out. So if you were to get rid of Emmerich, yeah, basically you'd bench him until the end of his contract.
As a comparison, it's wide open to debate how many creative successes Jon Peters has ever rly had. Rumor has it that he was pretty hands-on with B89, Superman Returns, Bonfire Of The Vanities and a few other things. But otherwise, it rly sounds like a lot of his credits (such as A Star Is Born) are more like
Producer (In Name Only) type stuff. His failures are common knowledge, of course. And yet, he's never fallen on his face so hard as to rly justify termination. Which is saying helluva a lot in that town.
Hence, he will probably always be an institution at WB. Chris Nolan might've banned him from the set of Man Of Steel (and he did!) but unless Peters ever gets in major trouble like a #MeToo type of situation, I doubt he'll ever get fired from WB.
But when you get into stuff like Emmerich, I can't help thinking that he's pretty much the embodiment of
Play stupid games, win stupid prizes. It's not like I've got special insider knowledge or anything. But if it came out tomorrow that Emmerich is basically shuffling papers until the end of this year (or whenever his contract runs out), I wouldn't be terribly shocked. He's gotten some serious black eyes in the past few years.
https://youtu.be/Hmkt4uiXh2c
This Emmerich douche is a political animal who appears to have had influence in removing people if they dare support projects without his approval. Hopefully the HBO Max fiasco has convinced the shareholders, investors or whoever to phase him out, now that the Discovery merger has been confirmed.
Speaking of the merger, has anybody else seen the new brand logo? It's utter dogsh*t
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.cnbc.com/amp/2021/06/01/new-media-company-from-att-spin-off-will-be-called-warner-bros-discovery.html
Rumour has it that Ann Sarnoff is expected to be let go, together with Jason Kilar, and insiders described her as "having little impact" at WarnerMedia.
https://deadline.com/2022/02/david-zaslav-warnermedia-plans-cnn-warner-bros-discovery-1234955829/
I remember her when she flat out said they wouldn't release David Ayer's cut of Suicide Squad, which Ayer publicly expressed his disappointment on Twitter, and dismissed the fans of supposed "toxic" behaviour while defending Walter Hamada from Ray Fisher's accusations; leading Fisher to condemn her comments as "tone deaf". Obviously I can't say I'm sad if she goes, but she'll find another job somewhere else anyway. Hopefully Emmerich and Hamada are given the boot next.
It'll be interesting to see how the dominoes fall during the reconfiguration period following the merger.
Ann Sarnoff and Jason Kilar are confirmed gone, as of yesterday. For now, it seems Emmerich has a grace period, though reports have been saying Discovery is looking for a new "studio czar". I've heard his contract expires in November. If you ask me, he deserves to be fired instantly after all the PR disasters he has caused, but I guess nobody wants to pay him his severance package.
Not even that ViewerAnon user likes him:
Quote
Even ignoring his - uh - "shaky" handling of DC properties, Toby Emmerich is a boot-licking POS. I've heard it from so many people. He was a driving factor in New Line Cinema ceasing to exist as an independent studio.
https://twitter.com/ViewerAnon/status/1511842756070543360
Midnight's Edge remarks upon Miller, Heard, Hamada, Sarnoff and the Discovery+ thing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUFdD6e3DGo
I must say, goings on with the Discovery+ personnel have rly done a lot to restore my confidence in AT&T as businessmen. ME suggests that AT&T realized they were out of their element when it comes to managing a movie studio, content creation and so forth. So, they went out and found people who can do it.
That honestly does look like how things worked out.
Anyway, kind of an interesting video.
I figured WB's sale to Discovery wasn't hastily made on AT&T's part, it would've been negotiated and worked on for some time. But still, I do think AT&T bosses should've interfered sooner when the international roll-out for ZSJL was taking longer than it should've (remember, the rest of the world was notified which streaming services would screen ZSJL only a few weeks before it was released), and should've gotten involved when Snyder was given a hard time over GL.
Meanwhile, DC Films prez Walter Hamada was reported to have given testimony in the Amber Heard-Johnny Depp defamation trial, and he took the opportunity to say he didn't want Heard to reprise her role as Mera in Aquaman 2, but executives high above him overrode his control to recast. Hamada went so far to say she and Jason Momoa have no chemistry on screen.
https://www.small-screen.co.uk/walter-hamada-tried-remove-amber-heard-aquaman-2/
This is really bizarre. If Heard and Depp's domestic situation has nothing to do with their work then why did Hamada give a testimony? What am I missing here?
Whatever the reason is, it's possible Hamada might be trying to throw Emmerich under the bus here so save his job. Particularly if rumour has it that Discovery don't want to work with Miller and Heard because they are liabilities from a PR point of view.
It's official: Emmerich is getting replaced. He'll only get a production deal as a consolation, something like Geoff Johns got when he was ousted from DC Films four years ago.
https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/warner-bros-chairman-step-down-mgm-studio-chiefs-take-over-2022-06-01/
Of course, this doesn't suddenly mean ZSJL 2 and 3 are going to happen, but Emmerich leaving is great news. This man has dragged WB's reputation through the mud long enough. Good riddance.
It's only a matter of time now that Hamada will get the boot, his influence seems to have diminished anyway.
I mean, there's influence and then there's INFLUENCE. For example, titles aside, Tom Cruise is the head of Paramount. If he wasn't before, he is now.
As for Hamada, he seems like he does best when he's surrounded by likeminded people. Considering how thin his list of allies has become, maybe he'll get onboard with the new regime? That would probably be his best bet.
My hunch is that Hamada doesn't necessarily have a target on his back. If he's willing to play ball, I bet he'll be allowed to stick around.
Quote from: thecolorsblend on Thu, 2 Jun 2022, 00:36
As for Hamada, he seems like he does best when he's surrounded by likeminded people. Considering how thin his list of allies has become, maybe he'll get onboard with the new regime? That would probably be his best bet.
My hunch is that Hamada doesn't necessarily have a target on his back. If he's willing to play ball, I bet he'll be allowed to stick around.
This might interest you:
Quote
In the case of DC, it all depends on whether DC Films production president Walter Hamada stays on at Warner (which is a possibility, according to one insider) or leaves after a new leader is chosen for all of DC Entertainment (including publishing and TV).
However, a top executive at WBD made clear that Hamada would only be staying until his replacement is chosen, and until that time will report to De Luca and Abdy.
...
"If anything, they'll go back to individual movies unless [Emmerich's replacement Michael] De Luca has some plan," according to a DC insider. "They need to get a f—ing Superman movie off the ground, and if the plan is a shared universe, a [Henry] Cavill-led Superman needs to be the focal point."
The DC insider added that Zaslav's team "should scratch every Superman project in development and start fresh with Cavill."
https://news.yahoo.com/inside-david-zaslav-overhaul-warner-001756251.html
As for Cavill, there had been rumours running around for a while that his Superman would confront Black Adam at some point. But is that really the best way to bring him back? The Rock appears to have ambitions to have Black Adam take centerstage of the DC hierarchy, does this mean Superman would play second fiddle? And is that really something to look forward to for Superman's return on the big screen? Whatever this David Zaslav has in mind, the WBD PR team has made it clear they want to bring Superman back to the public conscience because he had been left languishing for far too long.
Yeah, pretty much saw this, but TLF beat me to it.
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FUQqEUiUsAAQ-Jd?format=jpg&name=900x900)
If this is the case, then Mikey Sutton was correct in saying "Joker" (to which Hamada was lukewarm on), and "The Batman" wasn't going to save Hamada. As much as he probably wanted to believe otherwise.
Speaking of JOKER:
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FUQqD8QUYAIdKYz?format=jpg&name=large)
Interesting ....
And with the recent chatter about Zaslav wanting Cavill back as Superman pronto, in addition to scraping all other variant Superman projects, in particular the JJ Abrams Superman project that would effectively knock Coates right off his safe-to-assume preachy soapbox, Zaslav certainly appears to be a man after my own heart here lately.
I'm not a fan of Todd Phillips at all, but his movie made money, and to the execs at WBD, that's all that matters. Anyone would do a better job than Hamada, even if it's just an advisory role.
The trades say David Zaslav is frustrated with DC as under-utilised due to a lack of consistent output and "there hasn't been sufficient long-term planning in terms of rolling out sequels and follow-ups to popular movies". I don't want to post the source though because it tries to argue Cavill is too old to play Superman, which is ridiculous because Momoa and the Rock are older than Cavill but nobody is saying they're too old to play Aquaman and Black Adam. Not to mention Keaton playing Batman again.
Anyway, here is a video of Hollywood execs praising Snyder for his work on 300, in front of Emmerich, during a roundtable discussion hosted by THR from 2019.
https://youtu.be/0NB9k59bce0
Via Zack Snyder on "Superman Day" 6/12/22.
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FVFGZ8JWAAQ0TXA.jpg)
Quote from: The Joker on Mon, 13 Jun 2022, 03:44
Via Zack Snyder on "Superman Day" 6/12/22.
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FVFGZ8JWAAQ0TXA.jpg)
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FVH5UJHXwAAuyos?format=jpg&name=large)
We know Snyder still has the desire to finish his Superman/Justice League story arc, and this is yet another sign to tell fans to keep showing their support. He's not moving on just yet.
Second unit director Clay Staub continues to tease.
(https://i.imgur.com/qJ38iu7.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/9ukMOfB.jpg)
If ZSJL 2 and 3 does get greenlit, there's one thing for certain: Barry Allen and Mera have to be recast. I can't see Ezra Miller and Amber Heard ever coming back.
Not a major thing. But ZSJL is FINALLY coming "to digital" on July 19. So sayeth Snyder.
https://twitter.com/ZackSnyder/status/1541509412820377600
Quote from: thecolorsblend on Tue, 28 Jun 2022, 03:57
Not a major thing. But ZSJL is FINALLY coming "to digital" on July 19. So sayeth Snyder.
https://twitter.com/ZackSnyder/status/1541509412820377600
The official WB Home Entertainment Twitter account has announced the digital release too.
https://twitter.com/WBHomeEnt/status/1541513346654019586
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FWXWqiNXoAMgdMP?format=jpg&name=large)
Might mean something. Might not mean anything. But a very curious like on VERO nonetheless.
(https://i.imgur.com/fPQyl5L.jpg)
This popped up as I was getting ready for bed on Monday night.
Now that I've finally got ZSJL, it feels like... not the end of something, necessarily. But the completion of something. I've made no secret of my disenchantment with comic book films. But still, that rabbit hole goes pretty deep.
And since I have ZSJL in my iTunes collection now, the last comic book movie that I had a genuine personal investment in is now off the table.
I've only seen The Batman once. I enjoyed it. But at the same time, I truly don't care if I never see it again. I've come to realize that all The Batman is worth to me is the fun Saturday I spent seeing it with my brother. Otherwise, I'm detached from it on an emotional level. I'm not denigrating TB. It truly is a quality product. But seeing it once was enough for me. I'll probably see the inevitable sequel. But I doubt I'll be much more invested in that than I was TB. Again, TB is good, don't get me wrong. But I don't need it.
I don't think I needed ZSJL either. But I wanted it. And now that I have it, there's rly nothing else left.
Zack posted this on VERO.
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FYJ0mEDXwAAKnik?format=jpg&name=large)
https://vero.co/zacksnyder/b-DfC4xpvKcB34hdJxB4cDWj
This could be nothing more than his way of taking the piss at the asshole execs who were fired by WBD, pointing out at the time when ZSJL got leaked a week in advance during a Tom and Jerry stream on HBO Max. On the other hand, Zack doesn't normally joke like this. Hmmm.
For the sake of preventing myself from disappointment, I won't think to much about this. Although some fans might be getting carried by reading into this and hearing the rumours of Cavill making an appearance at SDCC.
Quote from: thecolorsblend on Wed, 20 Jul 2022, 17:14
I've only seen The Batman once. I enjoyed it. But at the same time, I truly don't care if I never see it again. I've come to realize that all The Batman is worth to me is the fun Saturday I spent seeing it with my brother. Otherwise, I'm detached from it on an emotional level. I'm not denigrating TB. It truly is a quality product. But seeing it once was enough for me. I'll probably see the inevitable sequel. But I doubt I'll be much more invested in that than I was TB. Again, TB is good, don't get me wrong. But I don't need it.
I know what you mean. Possibly even more than the Nolan trilogy, TB feels like a real commitment in terms of the viewing experience. It's long, with a very deliberate plot and tone. Not necessarily a criticism of his first movie, but I think Reeves needs a shorter runtime and lighter elements in the sequel. Too much darkness can smother the magic and the connection we feel. Good thing this universe is tailor made to evolve.
Snyder will appear as a guest star on the Teen Titans Go! cartoon.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/teen-titans-go-zack-snyder-guest-star-1235184953/amp/
https://youtu.be/OtAzCg2Nqxw
https://youtu.be/ZmGVlERNwOI
That was pretty nice. I also like the reference to Robin's Snyder Cut suit resembling to the graffitied Robin suit from BvS.
Kevin Smith has confirmed he will host a theatrical screening of ZSJL and host a Q&A session with Zack next year:
https://web.archive.org/web/20221012190849/https://comicbook.com/movies/news/zack-snyder-to-show-justice-league-in-theater-for-first-time-ever-with-kevin-smith/
Zack Snyder's tweeted this beautiful tribute on November 18th 2022:
Quote
Autumn used to sign everything with this quote - "The goal is not to live forever, but to create something that does." All of you who made JL real, honor her.
https://twitter.com/ZackSnyder/status/1593412662569816064?cxt=HHwWgMCq0fqX-JwsAAAA
No matter what happens next, all the fans who supported Zack over these last difficult years - from donating to charity for suicide prevention awareness to help get ZSJL released - is a great achievement in itself. We will never see anything like this again.
Quote from: The Laughing Fish on Thu, 13 Oct 2022, 12:17
Kevin Smith has confirmed he will host a theatrical screening of ZSJL and host a Q&A session with Zack next year:
https://web.archive.org/web/20221012190849/https://comicbook.com/movies/news/zack-snyder-to-show-justice-league-in-theater-for-first-time-ever-with-kevin-smith/
...
Why?
It's not like I wish the man any harm. But holy balls, Smith exemplifies the reality that it's better to burn out than fade away. Guy wore out his welcome decades ago but unfortunately, nobody's told him that yet.