Matt Belloni
@mattbelloni.bsky.social
Founding partner @pucknews, host @ringer The Town, @kcrw; Ex-editor @HollywoodReporter, entertainment lawyer. Get my email: https://puck.news/author/matthew-belloni/
New pod: Why a season of White Lotus can take 8 months to shoot….also the Jury Duty follow-up is called Company Retreat and it debuts March 20 on Prime Video (I’ve seen it and it’s VERY funny.) With producer Dave Bernad. Listen! open.spotify.com/episode/4Zxj...
The Life of a ‘White Lotus’ Producer, and the ‘Jury Duty’ Sequel Revealed
open.spotify.com
January 29, 2026 at 3:21 PM
New pod: Why a season of White Lotus can take 8 months to shoot….also the Jury Duty follow-up is called Company Retreat and it debuts March 20 on Prime Video (I’ve seen it and it’s VERY funny.) With producer Dave Bernad. Listen! open.spotify.com/episode/4Zxj...
Despite the tabloid headlines, the Blake/Baldoni case is likely to be trimmed way down, if it ever reaches trial. New insights from inside last week’s big hearing, via @eriqgardner.bsky.social ⬇️⬇️ puck.news/will-blake-l...
Will Blake v. Baldoni Make It to Trial?
With both sides in the ‘It Ends With Us’ legal/P.R. war seemingly intent on seeing the case through to the bitter conclusion, its endgame is coming into view. And it could be an uphill fight for Blake...
puck.news
January 28, 2026 at 3:59 PM
Despite the tabloid headlines, the Blake/Baldoni case is likely to be trimmed way down, if it ever reaches trial. New insights from inside last week’s big hearing, via @eriqgardner.bsky.social ⬇️⬇️ puck.news/will-blake-l...
New Baldonigate document dump provides a rare look at how a major star (Ryan Reynolds) wields power in Hollywood. Via @kimmasters.bsky.social ⬇️⬇️ puck.news/is-blake-liv...
Is Blake Really Unhireable—and Can Ryan Escape the Blast Radius?
Ryan Reynolds takes a star turn in the latest batch of emails made public by the legal/P.R. war between his wife and Justin Baldoni—providing a rare view into the ways an A-list star (who’s also a ver...
puck.news
January 27, 2026 at 4:07 PM
New Baldonigate document dump provides a rare look at how a major star (Ryan Reynolds) wields power in Hollywood. Via @kimmasters.bsky.social ⬇️⬇️ puck.news/is-blake-liv...
New pod: Red hot buzz from bitter cold Park City. Plus: what movie buyers (and sellers) want, Netflix as apex predator, and a pretty awful Harvey Weinstein story. With dealmaker extraordinaire John Sloss. Listen! open.spotify.com/episode/7tl0...
Sundance ’26 Bidding Wars and ‘Melania’ Box Office Prospects
open.spotify.com
January 26, 2026 at 11:52 PM
New pod: Red hot buzz from bitter cold Park City. Plus: what movie buyers (and sellers) want, Netflix as apex predator, and a pretty awful Harvey Weinstein story. With dealmaker extraordinaire John Sloss. Listen! open.spotify.com/episode/7tl0...
New from Sundance: There was an old-fashioned all-night bidding war overnight for Olivia Wilde’s THE INVITE….and it’s not over. Distributors still jockeying, so this one will sell for a lot.
January 26, 2026 at 3:54 PM
New from Sundance: There was an old-fashioned all-night bidding war overnight for Olivia Wilde’s THE INVITE….and it’s not over. Distributors still jockeying, so this one will sell for a lot.
Included some news in my report on the Melania movie rollout: More layoffs are coming to Amazon MGM Studios amid yet another re-org. Details ⬇️ puck.news/will-the-mel...
Can ‘Melania’ Open?
On top of the $40 million Amazon ponied up for Brett Ratner’s docu-hagiography, the studio is spending another $35 million to open it in 27 countries, including a splashy Kennedy Center premiere to be...
puck.news
January 24, 2026 at 6:52 PM
Included some news in my report on the Melania movie rollout: More layoffs are coming to Amazon MGM Studios amid yet another re-org. Details ⬇️ puck.news/will-the-mel...
Pete Davidson’s new “video podcast” will air only on Netflix. Isn’t that just a nonunion talk show? “SAG-AFTRA and Netflix continue to have discussions regarding the Pete Davidson project,” a union rep tells me. More ⬇️ puck.news/newsletter_c...
What I’m Hearing: Melania’s $35M Rollout, Podcast Battle Brewing & Oscar Flexes
Jan 22, 2026 Matthew Belloni Welcome back to What I’m Hearing, en route to Sundance. Happy Oscar nominations day, big congrats to the nominees, and more importantly, congrats to the awards publicists ...
puck.news
January 23, 2026 at 4:58 PM
Pete Davidson’s new “video podcast” will air only on Netflix. Isn’t that just a nonunion talk show? “SAG-AFTRA and Netflix continue to have discussions regarding the Pete Davidson project,” a union rep tells me. More ⬇️ puck.news/newsletter_c...
New @puck.news: After paying $40M for the right to release MELANIA, Amazon is now spending more than $35M more to market the film in theaters, an extraordinary sum for a documentary. Details ⬇️⬇️ puck.news/will-the-mel...
Can ‘Melania’ Open?
On top of the $40 million Amazon ponied up for Brett Ratner’s docu-hagiography, the studio is spending another $35 million to open it in 27 countries, including a splashy Kennedy Center premiere to be...
puck.news
January 23, 2026 at 8:08 AM
New @puck.news: After paying $40M for the right to release MELANIA, Amazon is now spending more than $35M more to market the film in theaters, an extraordinary sum for a documentary. Details ⬇️⬇️ puck.news/will-the-mel...
New pod: The flexes, fails, and business storylines of the Oscar nominations. With analyst and awards show food photographer @kylebuchanan.bsky.social. Listen! open.spotify.com/episode/7C35...
Spotify – Web Player
open.spotify.com
January 22, 2026 at 10:33 PM
New pod: The flexes, fails, and business storylines of the Oscar nominations. With analyst and awards show food photographer @kylebuchanan.bsky.social. Listen! open.spotify.com/episode/7C35...
New pod: Fun war stories from years of covering Sundance in Park City, including the talent agent who tried to fight me. With @sundance.org director Eugene Hernandez. Listen! open.spotify.com/episode/5qQs...
Spotify – Web Player
open.spotify.com
January 21, 2026 at 4:32 PM
New pod: Fun war stories from years of covering Sundance in Park City, including the talent agent who tried to fight me. With @sundance.org director Eugene Hernandez. Listen! open.spotify.com/episode/5qQs...
Netflix's Ted Sarandos says he'll keep Warner Bros. movies in theaters for 45 days. But a top theater owner is skeptical and wants further commitments in writing: “If he means 45 days to Netflix, that’s not good enough." puck.news/how-movie-th...
Movie Theaters Want a Ted Sarandos Blood Oath
Regal Cinemas’ Eduardo Acuna goes public with his pitch for Netflix to sign a 10-year binding pledge with the Trump D.O.J., ensuring Ted Sarandos won’t go back on his recent promise to give Warner Bro...
puck.news
January 20, 2026 at 3:41 PM
Netflix's Ted Sarandos says he'll keep Warner Bros. movies in theaters for 45 days. But a top theater owner is skeptical and wants further commitments in writing: “If he means 45 days to Netflix, that’s not good enough." puck.news/how-movie-th...
New pod: It’s the 2026 Box Office Draft! 7 movies each, and we give each other a potential bomb. Who’s YOUR No. 1?? With @lucasshaw.bsky.social and @craighorlbeck.bsky.social. Listen! open.spotify.com/episode/1yLi...
The 2026 Box Office Draft
open.spotify.com
January 19, 2026 at 5:48 PM
New pod: It’s the 2026 Box Office Draft! 7 movies each, and we give each other a potential bomb. Who’s YOUR No. 1?? With @lucasshaw.bsky.social and @craighorlbeck.bsky.social. Listen! open.spotify.com/episode/1yLi...
Tomorrow on The Town it’s the annual Box Office Draft with @Lucas_Shaw subscribe here @craighorlbeck open.spotify.com/show/4uXizLZ...
a man in a red robe is raising his arms in the air and says `` it 's draft day ! ''
ALT: a man in a red robe is raising his arms in the air and says `` it 's draft day ! ''
media.tenor.com
January 18, 2026 at 9:28 PM
Tomorrow on The Town it’s the annual Box Office Draft with @Lucas_Shaw subscribe here @craighorlbeck open.spotify.com/show/4uXizLZ...
The failures of the Star Wars film franchise aren’t entirely Kathy Kennedy’s fault (but yeah, they’re mostly her fault). ⬇️⬇️ puck.news/the-kathleen...
Kathleen Kennedy’s Final Episode
As president of Lucasfilm, the producer oversaw a new Star Wars trilogy, two more stand-alone films, a wave of TV shows, and a galaxy’s worth of abandoned projects. With her exit finally official, is ...
puck.news
January 16, 2026 at 4:24 PM
The failures of the Star Wars film franchise aren’t entirely Kathy Kennedy’s fault (but yeah, they’re mostly her fault). ⬇️⬇️ puck.news/the-kathleen...
New pod: The actors begin negotiating their next studio contract in three weeks. Lead @sagaftra.org negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland gives me a preview. Recorded LIVE at CES. Listen! open.spotify.com/episode/3QBV...
Actors vs. Studios, and the Existential AI War, With SAG-AFTRA Lead Negotiator
open.spotify.com
January 16, 2026 at 5:27 AM
New pod: The actors begin negotiating their next studio contract in three weeks. Lead @sagaftra.org negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland gives me a preview. Recorded LIVE at CES. Listen! open.spotify.com/episode/3QBV...
Gonna be a fun @PuckNews What I'm Hearing newsletter tonight. Sign up here or gift memberships to your friends and colleagues: puck.news/my-account/g...
The Latest News with Smart and Engaging Journalism | Puck
The inside news and conversation at the nexus of Wall Street, Washington, Silicon Valley & Hollywood. Stay informed with Puck.
puck.news
January 15, 2026 at 11:18 PM
Gonna be a fun @PuckNews What I'm Hearing newsletter tonight. Sign up here or gift memberships to your friends and colleagues: puck.news/my-account/g...
New pod: The year’s biggest director ALSO runs his studio. A fun chat about Zootopia box office, AI disruption, and could Disney’s Spider-Verse be…Star Wars? With Jared Bush, creative chief of Disney Animation. Listen! open.spotify.com/episode/6iie...
'Zootopia 2,' China, AI, and the Battle for Originals With the Head of Disney Animation
open.spotify.com
January 14, 2026 at 4:56 PM
New pod: The year’s biggest director ALSO runs his studio. A fun chat about Zootopia box office, AI disruption, and could Disney’s Spider-Verse be…Star Wars? With Jared Bush, creative chief of Disney Animation. Listen! open.spotify.com/episode/6iie...
Reposted by Matt Belloni
. @mattbelloni.bsky.social’s brilliant bloodsport on the Globes:
January 13, 2026 at 1:49 PM
. @mattbelloni.bsky.social’s brilliant bloodsport on the Globes:
The ground under FX and John Landgraf has been slipping away, and new signs point to changes ahead at Disney. Via @kimmasters.bsky.social ⬇️⬇️ puck.news/can-fx-bouti...
Can John Landgraf’s Slow TV Model Survive?
The oracle of Peak TV is at an inflection point as Disney+ absorbs Hulu and the chase for prestige gives way to the tonnage model.
puck.news
January 13, 2026 at 4:29 PM
The ground under FX and John Landgraf has been slipping away, and new signs point to changes ahead at Disney. Via @kimmasters.bsky.social ⬇️⬇️ puck.news/can-fx-bouti...
New pod: A hilarious new low of crass corporate cash-grabbing at an awards show… and the real reason why David Ellison is suing Warner Bros. With @lucasshaw.bsky.social. Listen! open.spotify.com/episode/7l4w...
The Shameless Golden Globes, and Paramount Takes Warner Bros. to Court
open.spotify.com
January 12, 2026 at 11:41 PM
New pod: A hilarious new low of crass corporate cash-grabbing at an awards show… and the real reason why David Ellison is suing Warner Bros. With @lucasshaw.bsky.social. Listen! open.spotify.com/episode/7l4w...
New pod: What’s about to happen in Media M&A in ‘26, and the best possible outcome for Warner Bros. With the VERY outspoken Jeff Sagansky. Listen! open.spotify.com/episode/2dfg...
Is Hollywood Broken? A Savvy Investor’s View of 2026.
open.spotify.com
January 10, 2026 at 2:01 AM
New pod: What’s about to happen in Media M&A in ‘26, and the best possible outcome for Warner Bros. With the VERY outspoken Jeff Sagansky. Listen! open.spotify.com/episode/2dfg...
New @puck.news Part 2 of the '26 forecast, with Netflix, Warner Bros., the Michael Jackson movie, Disney's Dana Walden, and some $20 million consolation prizes. ⬇️⬇️ puck.news/20-surefire-...
20 Surefire, 100 Percent Probable Hollywood Predictions for 2026 (Part Two)
StrikeWatch ’26, a bizarre Michael Jackson record, and the future of Disney’s Dana Walden (if she’s C.E.O. or not) in the second act of the town’s favorite prognostication of the year ahead.
puck.news
January 9, 2026 at 5:40 PM
New @puck.news Part 2 of the '26 forecast, with Netflix, Warner Bros., the Michael Jackson movie, Disney's Dana Walden, and some $20 million consolation prizes. ⬇️⬇️ puck.news/20-surefire-...
Bye bye barstool bros
New @puck.news >
A massive research project on young men shows them bailing on Trump, as he loses trust on the cost of living
- Just 22% say Trump is “fighting for them”
- 27% say Trump “hasn’t delivered”
- Vance has lower fave than Andrew Tate
- Obama is most-liked pol
puck.news/why-young-me...
A massive research project on young men shows them bailing on Trump, as he loses trust on the cost of living
- Just 22% say Trump is “fighting for them”
- 27% say Trump “hasn’t delivered”
- Vance has lower fave than Andrew Tate
- Obama is most-liked pol
puck.news/why-young-me...
Manospheres of Influence
The disaffected young men who helped elect Trump are fed up with high prices, worried about A.I., and frustrated by the president’s neocon turn. And, according to exclusive new polling data, they’re s...
puck.news
January 7, 2026 at 10:25 PM
Bye bye barstool bros
New pod: It's the '25 box office report card! Featuring the coveted Flop of the Year. With AMC Stubs Superfan A-List Milk Duds Premiere member @scottmendelson.bsky.social. Listen! open.spotify.com/episode/5xPC...
The 2025 Box Office Year in Review: Sydney and Timmy, Superheroes vs. Horror, and Studio Power Rankings
open.spotify.com
January 7, 2026 at 6:51 PM
New pod: It's the '25 box office report card! Featuring the coveted Flop of the Year. With AMC Stubs Superfan A-List Milk Duds Premiere member @scottmendelson.bsky.social. Listen! open.spotify.com/episode/5xPC...
Some unexpected paths for Star Wars, Adam Mosseri, Zendaya, the Russos, Brett Ratner, Sydney Sweeney and MORE... ⬇️⬇️ puck.news/20-surefire-...
20 Surefire, 100 Percent Probable Hollywood Predictions for 2026 (Part One)
The town’s favorite year-ahead forecast returns. The future of Star Wars, Instagram Reels, Rush Hour 4, and Sydney Sweeney foretold in the first of two parts…
puck.news
January 6, 2026 at 5:16 PM
Some unexpected paths for Star Wars, Adam Mosseri, Zendaya, the Russos, Brett Ratner, Sydney Sweeney and MORE... ⬇️⬇️ puck.news/20-surefire-...