Movie Business

Paramount was threatening to bolt California just days ago ... but now it sounds like it reached a settlement that could save its massive Warner Bros. Discovery takeover and keep the studio rooted in place.

Bloomberg reports Paramount Skydance struck a deal with California and the other states suing to block the $110 billion merger. The agreement is expected to be announced Monday.

TMZ broke the news last week ... Paramount had told California officials "we're done" and was prepared to leave the state before the two sides suddenly got back to negotiating.

The talks surrounding Paramount's anti-trust case are splitting state officials at the bargaining table into two factions -- deal and no deal.

The studio is trying to settle the case brought against the entertainment giant by 12 states as it tries to push forward its acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. Now, a new report claims there's no consensus among the states involved.

Despite many in the entertainment industry -- including Mark Ruffalo -- urging California AG Rob Bonta not to reach a settlement over the merger, Bonta is apparently trying to push the deal through ... this according to CNN.

Mark Ruffalo is begging California not to settle their anti-trust lawsuit with Paramount ... as the studio seeks to take over Warner Bros. Discovery.

Tagging in California Attorney General Rob Bonta ... he told the official ... "Don't you dare ... do not cave. 5,670 film makers put their necks on the line for you to fight this merger. Another 75,000+ and counting have signed to tell you not to concede in just 3 weeks."

Mark said that Bonta's constituents would "be hurt if you let this lousy deal filled with empty promises go forward."

Michael Strahan is revealing the bare truth of his stripped-down cameo in "Magic Mike XXL" ... and he says it was scary but exhilarating.

In a sit-down with Playboy, the 'GMA' host talked about being "nervous" ahead of filming his big moment in the 2015 movie but powering through the first take.

Michael added, "I think guys were jealous. Most of them were trying to act like they didn’t see it. I know they saw it."

"But they couldn’t hate because the abs were popping, the biceps were rippling. But I remember being so nervous," he said. "I take off the robe, and I felt so exposed, and I’m generally a pretty quiet and shy person."

He said ... "I go and I did it, and they're like, 'You want to do it again?' I felt good. I was like, 'Man, this stripping ain't bad.'"

Universal's much-anticipated Elon Musk documentary may not have liftoff after all ... and it sounds like it could be grounded for good.

There's no release date for "Musk" and there's a belief in Hollywood that Universal will ultimately decide against releasing the film altogether... according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The documentary was shown at the Venice Film Festival earlier this month ... generating tons of headlines ... but the wider audience may be shut out.

Emma Stone and Chris Pine were spotted kissing in Brooklyn yesterday for their upcoming rom-com ... and their epic smooch lasted a whopping 23 seconds -- yes, we counted!

The two wrapped each other in a warm embrace as part of their movie "The Catch" ... with the backdrop of their PDA being a house with an overgrown front yard.

Despite Chris being in a sling -- don't worry, it's part of the role ... the two seemed to pull off their big PDA moment for the film flawlessly.

Chris Hansen may not be a fan of the upcoming "Primetime" film ... but he's still planning to see it.

We caught up with the "To Catch A Predator" host in NYC Friday, and he tells us he's not mad about the film ... but he does find it insulting to the people protecting kids from predators in the real world.

He says no shade to Robert Pattinson ... and hails him as a great actor. But he does think there should be a common courtesy when it comes to portraying someone and their likeness.

"South Park" creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone are apologizing for their $100 million big-budget musical being shelved.

The Ankler first reported that Trey and Matt's untitled musical comedy film, known internally at Paramount as "Whitney Springs," has been placed on the back burner for now.

"South Park" writer Vernon Chatman penned the script ... the movie is said to be a musical comedy about slavery reparations. Kendrick Lamar helped produce, and he recorded original music for the flick.

Henry Winkler is opening up about why his relationship with Tom Hanks is so tense ... and he says repairing the relationship isn't off the table.

In a new interview on "In Depth With Graham Bensinger," Henry recalls getting fired as the director of Tom's movie "Turner & Hooch."

Henry said he felt a bit out of his depth when he took the job, and explained ... "I, at that time being insecure, I talked too much and I gave them direction. I [did] what I thought was my job, and I wanted to do it over again, and apparently that pissed them off."

The Hollywood Hills home owned by Quentin Tarantino was breached by a trespasser ... and whoever wanted to get inside tried to do so while other people were in the home.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... cops got a call Wednesday for a "hot prowl" at Quentin's residence -- police lingo for a burglary in progress with people inside.

Police raced to the famed director's home ... but we're told the suspect booked it out of there before cops arrived.

We are told the Oscar-winning filmmaker behind classics like "Pulp Fiction," "Kill Bill" and "Django Unchained" was not home at the time.

Our LE sources say cops cleared the home and determined there was no break in and that it was simply just a trespass. A trespass report was taken.

Suki Waterhouse says she's not going to make her daughter earn a job in Hollywood the hard way ... promising she'll be "nepo-babying the hell out of her."

The singer-songwriter spoke to NYLON in a wide-ranging interview published Wednesday morning ... and, near the end of the interview, she was asked if she'd discourage her 2-year-old daughter -- whom she shares with Robert Pattinson -- from following them into the entertainment world.

There's a crazy amount of public pressure -- especially on women in entertainment, who are scrutinized at every turn ... but Suki says her daughter can be an entertainer if she wants.

Suki says she'd not only sign off on it ... she'd actively help her out by embracing nepotism!!!

Nathan Fielder’s bizarre Elizabeth Holmes documentary is finally out in the open ... and the first teaser has the internet completely spiraling.

The film, titled “You Can See Everything,” received a surprise screening at the Telluride Film Festival before A24 released the first footage to the public Sunday. The documentary is directed by Fielder and Lance Oppenheim and is expected to hit theaters in October.

The teaser shows Fielder sitting across from Holmes in an intense staring contest ... with the disgraced Theranos founder insisting she has nothing to hide and is being genuine with him.

Aubrey Plaza has sold the Los Angeles home she shared with her late husband, filmmaker Jeff Baena ... TMZ has learned.

Property records obtained by TMZ show the property closed Friday for $4.375 million, meaning Aubrey sold it for less than the $4.7 million she and Jeff paid in October 2022.

The sale comes as Aubrey starts a new chapter with actor Christopher Abbott. Sources with direct knowledge previously told TMZ the couple welcomed their first child together, a baby girl, in late July. Aubrey was recently seen holding the newborn in New York City after attending Christopher's final performance in "Death of a Salesman."

Sandra Bullock spoke about how much she loved working with the late, great Betty White.

The actress appeared on Kylie Kelce's podcast, where she recalled shooting her 2009 rom-com, The Proposal, which costarred Betty and Ryan Reynolds.

Sandra dished about filming her famous scene where Betty grabs her boobs ... and even spilled about Betty being a pro when she and Ryan couldn't handle the weather on set.

Former Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin found himself behind bars Thursday for contempt of court -- and he was reportedly arrested on the set of a Christmas film.

Police busted Bevin while he was playing an extra on the set of the holiday movie production in Bourbon County, KY, according to Louisville Public Media.

The ex-governor was then transported to the Louisville Metro Department of Corrections, where he was booked for "contempt of court libel/slander resistance to order." Bevin also posed for his not-too-happy mug shot.

Ariana Grande will still be taking time for herself … but after she wraps up promoting her next film, "Focker-In-Law" ... TMZ has learned. 

Sources familiar with the situation tell TMZ ... before the pop star announced her plan to take a break … there were a few work commitments she knew would still be on the books. 

Our sources say Ariana will be doing some press appearances for the 'Meet The Parents' franchise sequel, a film which Ariana has a major role in alongside Ben Stiller and Robert De Niro. The film is scheduled for release in November.