Netflix just struck an $82.7 billion deal to acquire Warner Bros.’ studio and streaming assets, bringing HBO, HBO Max, and franchises like Harry Potter and DC Comics under its roof. The streaming giant plans to maintain current studio operations and theatrical releases once the split from Discovery finishes in 2026. Why it matters: The mega-merger would reshape Hollywood, though it faces fierce antitrust scrutiny before crossing the finish line.
Disney, Universal, and Warner Bros. Discovery just filed a copyright lawsuit against Chinese AI unicorn MiniMax. The studios allege that MiniMax's Hailuo AI illegally generates iconic characters like Darth Vader and the Minions from simple text prompts, and are seeking damages of up to $150,000 per infringed work.
Max just launched dynamic video previews on its homepage for U.S. connected TV devices. In the coming weeks, it's deploying a new in-house AI tool to scan its vast catalog and suggest recognizable "Drop-In Moments" for preview reels, cutting down the tedious manual work of hand-picking clips.
Futureverse just partnered with Ready Player One creator Ernest Cline to launch Readyverse Studios, bringing the iconic franchise to an open metaverse platform. Backed by exclusive Web3 rights from Warner Bros. Discovery, the studio plans to roll out The Readyverse in 2024 using Futureverse's infrastructure and AI-generated content creation tools. Why it matters: It marks Hollywood's biggest push yet to turn interconnected virtual worlds into a real consumer platform.
