Fresh from the Oscar successes of One Battle After Another and Sinners, Warner Bros Discovery (WBD) CEO David Zaslav, who is in the process of making himself more than $500m richer by selling the company to Paramount, has congratulated the Warner Bros film team in a company-wide memo.
“Let me start by congratulating Mike De Luca, Pam Abdy, and the entire Warner Bros. Pictures team,” Zaslav wrote on Monday, almost one year after reports emerged that he was looking to replace the film group co-heads. “Their commitment to filmmakers and to championing bold, original stories shined bright last night.”
After a sluggish start at the 2025 box office for Warner Bros, De Luca and Abdy turned the year around in spectacular fashion. The film division opened nine consecutive features at number one in North America and saw their releases gross more than $4bn at the global box office. Their films dominated awards season, culminating in 11 Oscars in total on Sunday for One Battle After Another, Sinners, and Weapons.
“What we saw recognized [sic] last night is a reminder that this team is truly like no other,” Zaslav noted. “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.”
Staffers at the Warner Bros film division and every other unit at WBD and Paramount do not know what will happen to their jobs should the horizontal merger close by the end of September, which is the timing Paramount and WBD executives have forecast. The deal needs to clear regulators and customary closing conditions, and secure the approval of WBD shareholders, who will convene remotely for an extraordinary meeting on a date to be announced.
Thousands of WBD and Paramount staff have already been laid off over the past four years since Discovery and WarnerMedia merged to create WBD in 2022, and more duplicated roles are expected to get the chop after Paramount CEO David Ellison said the company would be making $6bn in “synergies” or cost-savings.
Zaslav’s full memo follows:
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 [sic] 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. Watch the Celebration Reel.
With gratitude,
David
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