What Next: TBD | Tech, power, and the future David Ellison, Eldest Boy
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Jan 25, 2026 Reeves Weidemann, features writer at New York Magazine who reported on David Ellison and Skydance. He traces Ellison’s rise from a failed film start to owning Paramount and aiming for Warner Bros. He explores family dynamics with Larry Ellison, David’s taste for big blockbusters, the business strategy behind studio buys, and the tech and AI ambitions tied to building a media empire.
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Ambition Without Ruthlessness
- David shares ambition with his father but lacks Larry's reputed ruthlessness.
- Colleagues describe him as polite and humble, raising questions about whether that style can build a media empire.
Movies From Mom Shaped Taste
- David's love of blockbuster movies came from childhood movie-watching with his mother and hundreds of videotapes.
- That passion explains his focus on big action and plane-centered films like Top Gun: Maverick.
Hit Or Miss Film Strategy
- Skydance delivered hits like Mission: Impossible and Top Gun but many of its standalone streaming-era films felt forgettable.
- The company shows capability on big franchises but inconsistent results when producing original tentpoles.