Paramount’s Apparent Victory in Warner Bros. Bidding War Sparks Optimism and Concern From Global Players: ‘Fewer Global Decision-Makers Mean Fewer Buyers’

Late Thursday night at around 10.30p.m. in London at the world premiere afterparty for Warner Bros.’ all-star gothic romance “The Bride!,” phones suddenly began pinging simultaneously around the room.

The news had broken: Netflix had pulled out of the deal to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery, leaving Paramount Skydance poised to claim victory.

Alongside the stars, including the likes of writer/director Maggie Gyllenhaal, plus Jessie Buckley, Christian Bale and Jake Gyllenhaal, a decent crop of Warner Bros. Pictures execs — led by co-ceo Pam Abdy — were also in attendance.

Guests noted a palpable sense of relief — a feeling that Hollywood’s most intensely fought contest in years was finally over.

But while the noise at the party for “The Bride!” may have been borne out of exhaustion following months of fierce back-and-forths between the teams of David Ellison, Ted Sarandos and David Zaslav, the news of Paramount’s Wbd acquisition…