Predicting Hollywood in 2025: The Next James Bond, Peak Taylor Sheridan and More

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As a seasoned industry veteran who has witnessed the rise and fall of many media titans, I must say that the current landscape presents both opportunities and challenges for these billionaire-owned publications.

2025 is fast approaching, and it’s worth beginning to ponder its implications for Hollywood. Some outcomes might already be foreshadowed, with agreements signed but not yet finalized, hinting at potential trends. However, surprises are always part of the game – just look at the unexpected events that characterized 2024, such as the production slowdown, financial restraint across major studios, and a drop in box office revenues. Add to that the bizarre, unpredictable, and puzzling moments from this year. Nevertheless, The Hollywood Reporter offers some informed speculations, interprets subtle hints, and makes predictions about what lies ahead for the entertainment industry over the next year or so.

    We’ve Reached Peak Taylor Sheridan

    In 2021, the quantity of scripted shows reached its highest point, declining to 516 across broadcast, cable, and streaming platforms last year. It seemed like almost half of these were from Taylor Sheridan, given his incredible productivity. By 2025, we anticipate that the number of productions within the Taylorverse will also hit its peak. The multi-talented creator of heartland hero narratives is currently working on five TV shows, with several more in development, and a couple of movies waiting in the wings. With his sprawling ranch in Texas to manage and frequent strip-poker parties with supermodels (as suggested by his rugged portrayal of Travis Wheatley on Yellowstone), it appears that Sheridan is nearing full payment for his ranch. – James Hibberd

    Sundance Poised to Leave Park City

    Although the event is scheduled for Utah in 2027, Boulder and Cincinnati are also said to be contenders. Nevertheless, Park City might take a back seat to Salt Lake City, which is more welcoming. The locals of Park City have grown less enthralled by the celebrity appeal (and economic benefits) that Sundance has provided for four decades, and even longtime attendees are finding it difficult to afford, not to mention independent filmmakers who are part of the festival’s programming. – Mia Galuppo

    The Next James Bond Will Be…

    The upcoming 26th installment of the James Bond franchise, set for release in 2025, has sparked much debate: Who will succeed Daniel Craig as the iconic secret agent, having retired from the role following the 2021 film “No Time to Die”? While Aaron Taylor-Johnson, star of “Kraven the Hunter,” was a popular contender, Barbara Broccoli, producer of the Bond series, has a history of defying conventional wisdom and going with her instincts. After all, Craig’s appointment in 2005 was initially met with controversy. The next James Bond will indeed not be Aaron Taylor-Johnson. Instead, an English actor on the brink of stardom will take on the role. While audiences may recognize him, he won’t be too well-known, boasting a captivating smile, a knack for witty one-liners, and an abundance of charm. The new James Bond is set to be Josh O’Connor. – Seth Abramovitch

    Supreme Court Takes Up an Art vs. AI Case

    All eyes in Hollywood are on the courts to answer one question at the intersection of tech and entertainment that will ripple across both industries: Is the training of AI systems on copyrighted material legal? There’s no easy answer to the novel issue pushing the boundaries of fair use and intellectual property law, at least according to the courts. And at least one judge, who’s overseeing a lawsuit from music publishers against Amazon’s Anthropic, has signaled her decision may not go creatives’ way. Expect the Supreme Court to eventually review one of the lawsuits from artists, writers or newspapers. — Winston Cho

    Filmmakers Push for Theaters Over Money

    Director Jon Watts expressed his lack of faith in continuing with the sequel to his 2024 film “Wolfs”, following the sudden change in the tech giant’s plans for a theatrical release. With filmmakers having the power to choose their studio partners, those who prioritize keeping their promises about theatrical releases are becoming more attractive. The adaptation of “Wuthering Heights” by Emerald Fennell and Margot Robbie moved from Netflix to Warner Bros., due to the latter’s robust release plans. This trend is likely to continue, as other filmmakers seek similar deals. – Mia Galuppo

    The Great TV Channel Roll Up Is Next

    SpinCo, the newly independent company owned by NBCUniversal which houses E!, MSNBC, CNBC, and Oxygen, is planning to acquire other cable businesses as soon as possible. Companies like AMC Networks, Paramount’s cable channels, and A&E Networks (a joint venture between Disney and Hearst) might be up for sale. According to sources, SpinCo is looking to buy rather than sell, at least in the near future, due to ongoing cord-cutting trends. The process of these deals is expected to happen swiftly. Moreover, on December 12th, Warner Bros. Discovery announced a corporate reorganization that could involve separating its television channels from its studio business as well. – Alex Weprin

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    Cable News Goes On a Podcast Deal Spree

    2024’s election will likely see podcasters holding significant sway, but there’s a glimmer of hope for established cable channels like Fox News and CNN: younger audiences appear to be gravitating towards content that aligns with or closely resembles their offerings. Consequently, networks such as Fox News may seek partnerships with popular podcasters (take note of Dana White’s speech at Mar-A-Lago for potential names), while upstart podcasters on CNN and MSNBC could be approached for collaborations. In essence, this trend might resemble the early days of cable news when radio simulcasts in video format were prevalent. — Paraphrased by AI

    Reality TV Will Rebound

    Following a significant decline in progress and output due to the 2023 strikes, reality TV is poised for a resurgence next year as companies once again turn to their convenient and cost-effective content alternatives. Budgets are likely to remain small, and executives will continue to favor safe options, as job opportunities may not fully recover to pre-strike levels. However, in the context of a divisive post-Trump administration, viewers might yearn for comforting programs. In such a scenario, popular reality shows like the “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” or “Selling Sunset” could serve as an ideal follow-up to the inauguration — Katie Kilkenny.

    The NBA Takes a Bite Out of Entertainment

    Starting next fall, significant changes will overhaul the television terrain due to new TV agreements signed by the NBA. Presently, numerous hours of entertainment programming on networks like NBC and ABC will be replaced with NBA games and programs such as Inside the NBA. This adjustment could lead to a more conservative approach in broadcasting entertainment, with fewer adventurous choices but those that are safer. Additionally, concepts that might appeal to the NBA audience could move up in priority, while riskier proposals may face stiffer competition across a streaming environment that is also scaling back. – Alex Weprin’s paraphrase

    Shoppable Content (Finally) Goes Mainstream

    Towards the end of the last millennium, early innovators in interactive TV anticipated that Americans would soon be able to purchase items like Jennifer Aniston’s sweater on Friends by clicking their remotes during the show. However, this didn’t become a reality. But with the advent of streaming services, the increase in ad tiers, and the widespread use of mobile devices as second screens, shoppable TV is getting another chance through smartphones. Companies like NBCUniversal, Disney, and Amazon have already dabbled in this area. Next year, we might see some advancements as Disney plans to launch a beta program for its first streaming shoppable ad format in collaboration with Unilever. Could we be shopping from our streams soon? – Georg Szalai

    ‘Family Guy’ Will Get a New Home

    Here are three of Fox’s classic animated comedies, including The Simpsons, Bob’s Burgers, and Family Guy, are nearing the conclusion of their two-season extensions this coming spring. The first two series have been running regularly this fall, but Family Guy has not – it is also absent from the schedule for the initial quarter of 2025. Following its temporary relocation from Sunday nights during part of the previous season, there seems to be a hint of an impending separation – with Hulu appearing as a likely new home for Family Guy, given that its library remains one of the most frequently streamed shows in the U.S. This update comes from Rick Porter.

    Box Office Will Fly Past $9B Once Again

    Although the projected revenue for this year is still about $2 billion less than pre-pandemic levels, it’s a significant improvement from the slim earnings forecasted for 2024. The estimated revenue for 2024 was $9 billion, but for 2025, it’s expected to be at least $8.5 billion. This optimistic outlook is due to ongoing production issues caused by strikes and lingering post-pandemic delays.

    Vanity Media Billionaires Eye the Door

    Back in 2018, I, as a gamer, watched as tech titans like Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong and Marc Benioff made headlines by acquiring iconic publications such as the Los Angeles Times and Time magazine respectively. It seemed like a new age for tech billionaires owning media outlets. However, it looks like that era might be coming to an end. Benioff, who wrote an optimistic piece on AI agents in November, is reportedly considering selling Time magazine. As for Soon-Shiong, he hasn’t announced his intention to sell, but there are signs of tension with his editorial team, from dismissing respected news chief Kevin Merida to proposing a “bias meter” for articles. It’s not impossible that he’s had enough of the challenges that come with managing a newspaper. – Your Gaming Friend

    Trump DOJ Will Back Down on Live Nation Breakup

    According to Live Nation executives, they are optimistic about a potential shift in policy at the Department of Justice under Trump, moving towards a less intrusive stance. This change comes after a lawsuit filed against Live Nation in May 2024 for antitrust violations. The lawsuit during the Biden era suggested the separation of Live Nation and Ticketmaster as a possible solution. Despite criticism from both political parties about Live Nation’s practices, there’s an expectation that enforcement actions against alleged monopolies may decrease, which could be beneficial news for the ticketing giant. — Caitlin Huston

    This tale was initially published in the December 13th edition of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. To get the magazine delivered to you, simply click [here](link-to-subscribe) to subscribe.

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2024-12-19 19:25