The Town with Matthew Belloni

Matt is joined by Michael Lynton, former head of Sony Pictures and current chairman of Snap Inc., to open up about his regrets greenlighting the movie ‘The Interview,' which ultimately led to the infamous Sony hack. Michael walks us through the unique scenario that led to him greenlighting the film, what he should have done differently, and highlights some of the challenges that come with dealing with A-list talent (00:00). Matt finishes the show with a prediction about the Best Actor race for this year's Academy Awards (26:55).

Host: Matt Belloni

Guest: Michael Lynton

Producers: Craig Horlbeck, Jessie Lopez, and Jon Jones

Theme Song: Devon Renaldo

ZOOTOPIA 2. FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION FOR BEST ANIMATED FEATURE.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Matt is joined by Netflix Co-CEO Ted Sarandos to discuss why they reopened the Warner Bros. sale process for 7 days, why he thinks the Netflix bid is better for Warners Bros, consumers, and the industry at large, if they will commit to a theatrical window and robust marketing spends for Warner Bros. films, and much more.

Host: Matt Belloni

Guest: Ted Sarandos

Producers: Craig Horlbeck, Jessie Lopez, and Jon Jones

Theme Song: Devon Renaldo

ZOOTOPIA 2. FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION FOR BEST ANIMATED FEATURE.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Matt is joined by Bloomberg’s Lucas Shaw to discuss Casey Wasserman putting his company up for sale, why this happened, the Hollywood jockeying at play, and who the potential buyers might be (00:00). Matt finishes the show with a prediction about Paramount’s next bid to acquire Warner Bros (24:35).

Host: Matt Belloni

Guest: Lucas Shaw

Producers: Craig Horlbeck, Jessie Lopez, and Jon Jones

Theme Song: Devon Renaldo

ZOOTOPIA 2. FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION FOR BEST ANIMATED FEATURE.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Matt is joined by Shicong Zhu, head of West Coast Studios at DramaBox, to discuss just how successful and profitable vertical micro-dramas have become, how they are produced so cheaply, the genres that work best for vertical video, and whether this is a threat to traditional Hollywood filmmaking (00:00). Matt finishes the show with an opening weekend box office prediction for ‘Wuthering Heights,’ ‘Goat,’ and ‘Crime 101’ (25:47).

Host: Matt Belloni

Guest: Shicong Zhu

Producers: Craig Horlbeck, Jessie Lopez, and Jon Jones

Theme Song: Devon Renaldo

AVATAR: FIRE AND ASH. FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Matt is joined by ‘Survivor’ host and showrunner Jeff Probst to go behind the scenes of one of America’s most iconic reality television shows and discuss how the show has sustained its success for 50 seasons, the complicated production challenges, how much the show costs, casting, and why no one has managed to replicate it (00:00). Matt finishes the show with a prediction about Timothée Chalamet after visiting the Oscars luncheon (33:24). 

Host: Matt Belloni

Guest: Jeff Probst

Producers: Craig Horlbeck, Jessie Lopez, and Jon Jones

Theme Song: Devon Renaldo

AVATAR: FIRE AND ASH. FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices