David Ellison, the ambitious and reserved son of tech billionaire Larry Ellison, has officially taken over as CEO of Paramount Pictures. The 15-year-old goal to run a legacy Hollywood studio has finally become a reality.
Ellison’s new leadership team includes Hollywood veterans such as former NBCUniversal CEO Jeff Shell, COO Andy Gordon, and chair of TV media George Cheeks. Cindy Holland, former Netflix scripted TV chief, will lead the company’s streaming businesses.
The newly appointed co-film chiefs, Dana Goldberg and Josh Greenstein, emphasized the importance of family films, citing movies like Goonies and The Night at the Museum franchise as north stars. They also highlighted the priority on restoring Paramount to its status as a top destination for talented artists and filmmakers. The company aims to release 15 films a year, with plans to increase production to 20.
Star Trek, a dormant franchise since 2016, will be revamped under Ellison’s leadership, with executives aiming to integrate film and TV divisions to ensure the best possible outcome for the brand. World War Z, Star Trek, and Transformers are among the franchises expected to receive attention from the new regime.
The Paramount+ streaming service is also crucial to Ellison’s strategy, with a focus on nurturing talent such as Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan. The CEO expressed admiration for Sheridan’s genius track record, saying he wants to make him feel “at home” if possible.
Ellison’s vision includes prioritizing theatrical releases and emphasizing technological efficiencies to ensure Paramount’s survival in the years to come.
Source: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/david-ellison-top-gun-star-trek-1236343043