Patty Jenkins Declares 'Chaos' as Paramount-Warner Bros. Merger Redraws Hollywood Map

Leading figures in Hollywood, including Patty Jenkins, Halle Berry, Regina King, and Misty Copeland, convened at downtown Manhattan’s Locanda Verde for the annual Tribeca and Chanel’s Through Her Lens luncheon. The event, dedicated to supporting emerging filmmakers, arrived amidst significant industry developments, specifically the news that the Paramount-Warner Bros. merger deal was reportedly complete just 24 hours prior. This consolidation has sparked widespread concern in Hollywood regarding its potential negative ramifications for the film industry.

"Wonder Woman" director Patty Jenkins, who maintains a long-standing relationship with Warner Bros., expressed her detachment from the merger news, stating to Variety, "I didn’t even look at it, frankly. I’ve been tuning all of that out. It’s such chaos. I think the studio system is in such bad shape that I’m kind of tuning it out." Despite this view of the current studio landscape, Jenkins maintained an optimistic outlook on the industry's future. When queried about the possibility of directing a film for Warner Bros. under Ellison’s new leadership, she replied, "You never know," adding, "I never say no to anything because so many people have different projects. Something may come along, and they’ve been making some great films, and who knows."

Jenkins also highlighted her belief that today’s emerging filmmakers encounter fewer obstacles than those she faced at the start of her career. She cited independent films such as “Backrooms” and “Obsession” as compelling evidence that talented directors can achieve commercial success with minimal budgets. "People are able to make their own films and it’s a game-changer," she enthused. "I see it coming and I’m so excited about it — the democratization of being able to get your films to your audiences."

However, Jane Rosenthal, co-founder of Tribeca and Chanel’s Through Her Lens program 11 years ago, offered a contrasting perspective. She argued that young filmmakers actually face more challenges now than in previous eras. "The business is really kind of a mess," Rosenthal observed, acknowledging that the rise of streaming platforms has indeed led to an increase in film production. Yet, she conceded, "Who knows what this merger is gonna do." Rosenthal suggested a potential upside to the merger, envisioning it as an opportunity for innovative independent film distribution models, referencing AMC's recent indie distribution venture as an example. "You see what AMC is doing, let’s see what that really means," she noted.

This forward-looking and solution-oriented spirit permeated the luncheon, which marked the official launch of this year’s Through Her Lens program. This initiative selects five filmmaking teams, offering them a comprehensive program of workshops, personalized one-on-one mentorship, and valuable industry conversations. The program culminates in a live pitch event before a distinguished jury. The winning team will receive full financial backing to produce their short film, with support from Tribeca Studios, while the remaining four teams will be awarded development grants.

The esteemed jury for this year's program was announced, featuring prominent names such as Halle Berry, Regina King, and Meg Ryan, alongside acclaimed cinematographer Autumn Durald Arkapaw ("Sinners") and actress Ella Rubin ("Sterling Point"). Emmy Rossum, attending the event to lend her support, articulated her core desire: "I just want the best people to tell stories" — and crucially, she added, "to be seen by lots of people in theaters and on streaming." The event also saw Robert De Niro serenading Jane Rosenthal with "Happy Birthday," adding a personal touch to the gathering.