David Ellison, the tech scion leading Paramount Skydance, made a bold pledge at CinemaCon, promising at least 30 films annually across Paramount and Warner Bros. once his $111 billion merger is approved. Speaking barefoot to thousands of theater owners in Las Vegas, Ellison emphasized his commitment to theatrical releases, promising 45-day exclusive windows and 90-day delays before streaming.

The pledge comes amid skepticism from Hollywood, where industry leaders worry the merger could further harm an already distressed film business. Over 3,000 industry figures, including directors David Fincher and Denis Villeneuve, have signed a letter opposing the deal. Theater owners remain cautious, recalling Disney's reduction of Fox releases from dozens to just six films annually after its 2019 acquisition.

Paramount's upcoming slate features familiar franchises like Sonic the Hedgehog, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and Jackass, alongside new projects including a Call of Duty film directed by Peter Berg in 2028. Despite the showy presentation featuring stars like Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt, theater owners remain anxious about the merger's long-term impact. AMC's Adam Aron endorsed Ellison's promises, calling them a significant improvement over recent years when fewer films received theatrical runs.