As is customary for a company that wins big at an awards show, Warner Bros Discovery CEO David Zaslav on Monday morning sent out a company memo with the subject line “Congratulations on an extraordinary night.”
It celebrated Warner Bros.’ “monumental achievement” at the Sunday’s Oscars, where the studio dominated with 11 wins including Best Picture, Best Director, both writing categories and three of the four acting ones among Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another, Ryan Coogler’s Sinners and Zach Cregger’s Weapons.
“The films honored last night represent the very best of our company: bold creative vision, extraordinary craftsmanship, and the kind of storytelling that moves audiences around the world,” Zaslav wrote.
As he did in his toast at WBD’s pre-Oscar party Friday night and in speaking with Deadline’s Pete Hammond at the Governors Ball on Sunday night, Zaslav congratulated film studio chiefs Mike De Luca and Pam Abdy and their team. “Their commitment to filmmakers and to championing bold, original stories shined bright last night,” Zaslav said in the company email.
Zaslav, De Luca and Abdy were all at the Oscars ceremony, with the Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group co-chairs and CEOs getting shoutouts from the stage, most notably by Sinners winner Michael B. Jordan “for believing in this dream, this vision of Ryan Coogler, and betting on the culture and betting on original ideas and original artistry.“
Yet, the WBD celebration is bittersweet. In light of Warner Bros.’ extraordinary success at the Oscars (and of its TV siblings Warner Bros. TV and HBO at the Emmys with shows like The Pitt and Hacks), it is hard to fathom that a historic studio of that creative might was put on the auction block, going to the highest bidder.
It did last fall, with the highest bidder changing dramatically from Netflix to Paramount last month.
The process has divided Hollywood, with Oscar winner Jane Fonda, who was married to Ted Turner, founder of Turner Broadcasting System and its CNN network that are now part of WBD, wearing a Block the Merger pin to the Vanity Fair party Sunday night.
Paramount CEO David Ellison expects the WBD acquisition to close in Q3 2026, which is when the next Oscar season kicks off. That makes the “remarkable moment for Warner Bros. Discovery,” as Zaslav put it, likely the last for the company as we know it at the Academy Awards.
Here is Zaslav’s memo in full:
Team,
Last night was a remarkable moment for Warner Bros. Discovery. Our films won 11 Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Director, the most of any media company this year.
We have so much to celebrate today.
The films honored last night represent the very best of our company: bold creative vision, extraordinary craftsmanship, and the kind of storytelling that moves audiences around the world. Seeing our films and our artists recognized at the highest level is incredibly meaningful, and I could not be prouder of the work that brought us here.
Let me start by congratulating Mike De Luca, Pam Abdy, and the entire Warner Bros. Pictures team. Their commitment to filmmakers and to championing bold, original stories shined bright last night.
One Battle After Another had an extraordinary night, taking home the Academy Award for Best Picture, along with wins for Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay for Paul Thomas Anderson, Best Supporting Actor for Sean Penn, Best Film Editing for Andy Jurgensen, and Best Casting for Cassandra Kulukundis. Congratulations to Paul, Sean, Andy, Cassandra and the entire creative team behind One Battle After Another. It is a triumph of filmmaking and collaboration.
Sinners delivered a historic night for Warner Bros. Discovery, with Ryan Coogler winning the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay, Michael B. Jordan earning the Oscar for Best Actor in a Leading Role, Ludwig Göransson winning for Best Original Score, and Autumn Durald Arkapaw becoming the first woman ever to win the Academy Award for Best Cinematography. Congratulations to Ryan, Michael, Ludwig, Autumn, and the entire Sinners team. This film captivated audiences and critics alike, and the recognition it received is a testament to every person who helped make it possible.
Weapons also received well-deserved recognition, with Amy Madigan’s unforgettable and phenomenally haunting performance earning the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. Her work is a reminder of the impact a single role can have on audiences everywhere. Congratulations to the entire creative team behind the film.
What we saw recognized last night is a reminder that this team is truly like no other. These wins belong not only to the nominees and filmmakers we saw on stage, but to every single person across this company who helped bring these films to audiences. Everyone here plays their part. Every contribution matters, and every one of you should feel proud of what you helped create.
Please join me in celebrating this monumental achievement.
With gratitude,
English (US) ·