Skydance Deal Done; Zaslav Out; ‘Forgotten’ At The Box Office

It’s official: Skydance has completed its acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, bringing Warner Bros., Paramount, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, Nickelodeon, and a whole lot more under one corporate roof saddled with more than $80 billion in debt. Meanwhile, David Zaslav said goodbye after four-and-a-half years ruining… sorry, running, WBD.

On the craft side, the Get Jiro! team broke down how it pulled off a hugely ambitious animated oner, while Flying Bark explained how it recreated the handmade imperfections of Tales from Outer Suburbia entirely in CG. We also premiered the trailer for Chilean short The Gazelle Gazette, and our Oscar shorts series continues with Jack Wedge and Will Freudenheim’s Acid City.

Finally, Forgotten Island had a decent if unspectacular drop at the box office – no comeback legs on this one, sadly, while Spirited Away is headed back to U.S. cinemas for its 25th anniversary. And Psyop Group has teamed with Free Agents as it looks to expand its U.S. footprint.

Check out these stories and more at cartoonbrew.com.

1. 
   End Of An Era: Skydance Finalizes Merger, Bringing Warner Bros. And Paramount Under One Roof

   Two of Hollywood’s most significant animation legacies are now part of the same company, marking the end of a long chapter in the industry’s history.
2. 
   ‘Get Jiro!’ Creators On How They Pulled Off The Show’s Impressibe One-Take Action Sequence

   The Adult Swim series draws on yakuza films, samurai cinema, and cooking anime while channeling Anthony Bourdain’s appetite for audacious ideas.
3. 
   Thumbprints, Dried Glue, And Clay: The Handmade CG Look Of Australia’s Acclaimed ‘Tales From Outer Suburbia’ (EXCLUSIVE)

   Director Noel Cleary shares an exclusive look at the handmade CG techniques that brought Shaun Tan’s acclaimed ‘Tales From Outer Suburbia’ to life.
4. 
   ‘The Gazelle Gazette’ Builds A Sports-Media Nightmare Out Of Newspaper (EXCLUSIVE TRAILER)

   Simón Bucher and Cote Ramírez's experimental short will screen in Valdivia’s Animamundi section after evolving from a film made in just 48 hours.
5. 
   “That’s All Folks!”: David Zaslav Bids Farewell To Warner Bros. Discovery

   In a farewell video to WBD employees, Zaslav reflects on his tenure after four years of deep cuts and upheaval across Warner Bros. animation.

6. 
   ‘Forgotten Island’s’ Strong Word Of Mouth Not Enough To Spark Second Weekend Comeback

   The DreamWorks feature earned $7.2 million domestically in its second frame and has now grossed $38.5 million worldwide.
7. 
   2027 Oscars Short Film Contenders: ‘Acid City’ Directors Jack Wedge And Will Freudenheim

   Acid City blends real New York voices with a surreal sci-fi world to explore climate change, extreme heat, and our relationship with water.
8. 
   AI Protections, Wage Hikes, Better Residuals: SAG-AFTRA Members To Vote On New TV Animation Deal

   SAG-AFTRA members will vote on a new TV animation deal featuring annual wage increases, expanded AI protections, better residuals, and benefit gains.
9. 
   ‘Spirited Away’ Returns To U.S. Theaters For 25th Anniversary

   Hayao Miyazaki’s Oscar-winning Studio Ghibli classic returns to U.S. theaters for five days this October, with screenings in Japanese and English.
10. 
    Psyop Group Expands U.S. Reach With Free Agents Partnership

    The partnership reunites longtime collaborators and gives Free Agents access to talent across Psyop’s animation, design, live-action, and IP studios.