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Matthew Belloni, Eriq Gardner, Julia Alexander, Kim Masters & Scott Mendelson
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Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday
An essential, insider-friendly Hollywood tip sheet from Matthew Belloni, who spent 14 years in the trenches at The Hollywood Reporter and five before that practicing entertainment law. What I’m Hearing also features contributions from veteran Hollywood journalist Kim Masters, media analyst Julia Alexander, entertainment law expert Eriq Gardner, and special box office dispatches from Scott Mendelson.
THE LATEST ARTICLES
Matthew Belloni
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September 26, 2025
David Ellison’s Antitrust Playbook
Paramount’s new boss would still release about 15 Warner Bros. movies per year if he acquires its parent company as a key Trump advisor joins to help grease a potentially loud transaction.
Matthew Belloni & Kim Masters
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September 19, 2025
Kimmel, Iger, and the Culture of Capitulation
An informed dialog on the fallout from Disney’s Jimmy Kimmel suspension, from the F.C.C.'s sustained attack on free speech to the network’s mishandling of the moment and what ABC’s early capitulation will mean for Bob Iger’s precious legacy and his potential successor.
Matthew Belloni
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September 12, 2025
Ellison’s Warner Bros. Trump Card
As Paramount circles Warners, David Zaslav has been telling friends that he’ll only sell on his terms, and that the looming offer from the world's richest man will be too low. But with the presumed blessing of Donald Trump, there’s not much stopping a deal Zaz can’t refuse.
Matthew Belloni
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September 12, 2025
Is Leo DiCaprio Still Hollywood’s Unicorn?
For years, DiCaprio has been the pinnacle of Hollywood: a prestige movie star who can actually open movies, with grosses of more than $7 billion. But as Leo hits 50 and starts promoting One Battle After Another, does he still have the same power? A new study runs the numbers.
Matthew Belloni
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September 9, 2025
James Wan’s ‘Conjuring’ Future Looks Dead
The producer and his Atomic Monster shingle have been locked in a standoff of sorts with Warner Bros. over his continued involvement in the Conjuring universe, even as Warners’ New Line division plots a potential prequel.
Matthew Belloni
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September 5, 2025
A Big Talent Agency Poach and Trouble for Diversity-Focused Managers
Phil Sun’s exit from M88, and the client exodus including Michael B. Jordan, followed rising pressure from BlackRock and other investors. Plus notes on the falling out between Noah Baumbach and UTA.
Matthew Belloni
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September 5, 2025
Activision Turned Down Spielberg for ‘Call of Duty’ Movie
Plus, notes on David Ellison’s hunger for Warner Bros. and an executive shakeup at Amazon.
Matthew Belloni
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September 5, 2025
Attack of the Rotten Tomatoes
At a time when everyone is suspicious of Hollywood, the industry’s biggest arbiter of quality has become rigged, providing the assessment that Hollywood wants rather than the critical feedback that it needs.
Matthew Belloni
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August 29, 2025
Can Gen Alpha Save the Box Office?
According to a new study from NRG, the under-15 crowd loves movie theaters, which represent an exotic and alluring escape to a generation whose upbringing has taken place entirely in front of screens and devices, and whose socialization metric has never been anything other than digital.
Matthew Belloni
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August 22, 2025
Lorne Michaels Speaks! Colbert, Trump, ‘SNL50’ Secrets, and the New Season
In a rare interview, the 80-year-old SNL creator promises a major shake-up to the cast, reflects on The Late Show’s cancellation (and the impact on Seth Meyers and Jimmy Fallon at NBC), and weighs the pressures of producing late-night TV in the Trump era.