Patton Oswalt Criticizes David Zaslav in Passionate Monologue Over Film Cancellations
Bollywoodfever, March 4: “Patton Oswalt Critiques David Zaslav in Opening Monologue at 71st Golden Reel Awards”
During the 71st Motion Picture Sound Editors Golden Reel Awards, Patton Oswalt, the evening’s host, directed a pointed critique at Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav.
The event, held in Los Angeles, saw Oswalt addressing the myriad challenges the Hollywood industry encountered in 2023, including significant labor disputes involving both the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and the Screen Actors Guild‐American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA).
Oswalt, known for his role in “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire,” humorously highlighted his dual membership in SAG and WGA, joking about the financial strain placed on postproduction professionals due to industry-wide labor stoppages.
He praised the attendees for their exceptional work despite the difficulties, including projects that were shelved for financial reasons.
The comedian sharply criticized Zaslav for Warner Bros. Discovery’s decision to cancel several completed projects as part of cost-reduction strategies.
Notable cancellations mentioned included “Batgirl” and “Scoob! Holiday Haunt” in 2022, and “Coyote vs. Acme” the following year.
Oswalt sarcastically commented on the industry’s state, referencing a fictitious deal between Zaslav and tax preparation firm H&R Block, underscoring the controversy over the company’s financial decisions.
This critique follows Warner Bros. Discovery’s announcement of a $115 million tax write-off for abandoning certain film projects in the third quarter of 2023, fueling speculation about the fate of “Coyote vs. Acme.” Despite attempts to sell the hybrid live-action/CG animation film featuring Looney Tunes characters, no deal was secured.
Zaslav previously defended the choice to cancel “Batgirl,” emphasizing a strategic pivot towards films intended for theatrical release to create significant cinematic events.
The Golden Reel Awards, which celebrates achievements in sound design, honored several films during the ceremony. “Oppenheimer” took home two awards, with “Maestro,” “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse,” and “Society of the Snow” also receiving accolades, marking a night of recognition for the industry’s sound design excellence amidst a backdrop of industry critique and humor.
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