Movie Exhibitors Adamantly Opposed to Netflix/Warners Buyout

 Viewed as their worst enemy, movie exhibitors are strongly opposed to Netflix's purchase of Warner Bros.

Many theatre operators are petitioning the Trump Administration to deny Netflix's bid to usurp Warner Bros., as they depend on the 12-14 films Warner Bros. releases annually, and they see this evaporating.

 Movie operators have valid issues regarding their opposition as the chart below illustrates.

"Hopefully the deal gets killed so Warners can be sold to a better entity," says Chris Randleman, CEO at Flix Brewhouse, a Texas upscale theatre chain. In their defense, Netflix execs stress they plan on releasing films theatrically, and there will be no change to the release window between exhibition and streaming. 

Before COVID, most films had an exclusive theatrical window of 90 days. Now, some films are available to buy or rent within a few weeks of distribution. Exhibitors fear Netflix will shorten the theatrical release window even further.

"Shorter windows would result in lower revenues for cinemas," states Eduardo Acuna, CEO of Regal Entertainment. "These lower revenues will result in cinema closings, which limit the consumer's ability to view movies the way filmmakers intended - on a big screen with great surround sound." 

By: Jim Lavorato

Entertainment Industry Gets Cheesy

 

Parmigiano Reggiano, the king of cheeses, seeks product placement

In a deal between the Italian Parmigiano Reggiano Consortium and the United Talent Agency, a firm specializing in cultural marketing, UTA will endeavor to get the king of cheeses prominently displayed in movies, TV shows, and streaming media globally. 

According to a UTA spokesperson, "We will leverage our expertise and global connections across entertainment and culture to introduce Parmigiano to a wide pool of partners, to further its message that the king of cheeses offers gastronomical excellence and high-quality ingredients, production, and distribution."

Parmigiano, as it is familiarly called, has been produced in Italy for over a thousand years. It has a Protected Designation of Origin rating, meaning it can only be produced in one of five Italian provinces, and only under strict rules regarding ingredients and manufacture. 

Product placement can be important for the right product, and Parmigiano is positioned to find placement in a wide range of potential projects.

"This cheese is not just a symbol of excellence but a global brand", says Carmine Forbuso, head of marketing for the Consortium. "This partnership with UTA will allow us to connect with new audiences in an authentic and relevant way."

By: Jim Lavorato

Saudis Invest $900 million in Hollywood AI Developer

 The Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia announced that the Saudi government will invest $900 million in Luma AI, a San Francisco-based firm that builds AI models for the entertainment industry.

Prince Mohammed bin Salman & Trump at a recent visit to the White House

Humain, a Saudi investment vehicle, will be the lead contributor to the Luma AI investment. As part of the deal, Luma will open an office in Riyadh and have full access to Saudi-based data centers, which generate 2 gigawatts of computing power, equivalent to the Hoover Dam's maximum output. 

Amit Jain, Luma AI's CEO, stated that "Luma will build AI world models that have many use cases for Hollywood, including the creation of new work, and make our systems available to Hollywood studios." Luma recently opened a training center in Los Angeles that offers AI education to film directors and executives. Saudi Prince Salman indicated that Saudi Arabia wants to become an AI powerhouse, using its access to cheap energy, and become an exporter of computing power. 

On his recent visit to the White House, the Prince met not only with the President but also major tech company executives from Nvidia, Oracle, Amazon, Microsoft, and Elon Musk's Grok AI.

According to Amit Jain, "Luma AI is an exceptional U.S.-based global startup pushing the boundaries of AI systems, which will provide foundational breakthroughs into real products."

By: Jim Lavorato

Netflix to Acquire Warner Bros. Discovery

 It is now apparent that Netflix, assuming it obtains regulatory approval, will purchase Warner Bros. for $82.7 billion. 

President Trump and Ted Sarandos of Netflix

This would indicate that the world's largest entertainment streamer (YouTube is the largest media streamer) would now own one of Hollywood's oldest studios.

Ted Sarandos, Netflix Co-CEO, recently met with President Trump for a two-hour lunch, presumably regarding the Warner's purchase. "We're highly confident in the regulatory process", says Sarandos. "This deal is pro-consumer, pro-innovation, pro-worker, pro-creator, and pro-growth. Our plans are to work closely with all the appropriate governments and regulators, but we are really confident that we're going to get all the necessary approvals." 

On the flip side, Hollywood's most powerful media producers are strongly against the Netflix purchase. Unions and guilds representing directors, writers, producers, casting directors, and actors expressed deep concern. A spokesperson for the Writers Guild stated, "This merger must be blocked. It's the world's largest entertainment streamer purchasing a major competitor - isn't this what antitrust laws were designed to prevent?" 

I think the odds favor a purchase, but Netflix may not be the acquirer. The Trump Administration may not want to appear to be anti-Hollywood, or worse, anti-worker, so Netflix's road to success will be rocky 

To make matters more interesting, Paramount launched a hostile bid of $108.4 billion for Warner. Owned by Skydance, which recently acquired Paramount, they have put forth a much higher bid vs. Netflix. Their bid includes funding from Saudi Arabia and Qatar, with loans secured by Bank of America and Citibank. 

Hollywood would much prefer the Paramount purchase, but there is strong support for the Netflix deal by Congressional Democrats, who issued a statement saying, "the Paramount transaction has national security issues because of the reliance on funding from foreign-based financiers." That's a dumb argument. 

I believe the Paramount deal is more favorable to Hollywood, as there would be little conflict with theatrical movie releases and early content streaming.  

According to Polymarket (the world's largest prediction market), Netflix only has a 17% chance of closing the Warner's acquisition. I agree. 

By: Jim Lavorato

This Year's Hot Hollywood Gifts

 What are the glitterati finding under the Christmas tree in 2025? Here's the rundown.

- Channel's "IT" cat-eye sunglasses - $800

- Tiffany 'HardWare' diamond earrings. As worn by Sarah Paulson in "All's Fair" - $19,900

- 'Alice in Wonderland' clutch - $1,841

- Kayne's Sun Valley candle (also Vail and Aspen versions) - $65

- Channel's Palm Beach Pink tortoise top-handle bag - $5,300

- Custom Pet Portraits with turquoise, pink opals, and diamonds. As purchased by

Jennifer Aniston and Taylor Swift - starting at $10,000

- Louboutin's crystal pump, for 'Wicked' lovers - $1,495/pair

- Gucci, made-to-order walnut ping-pong table - $85,000

- Channel's 'Sydney Sweeny' hand-crafted leather boxing gloves - $129

- Fender x Loog's miniature electric Telecaster guitar - $229

- New York City brownstone, fully furnished dollhouse - $1,630

Merry Christmas!  

What Is a Movie Producer?

 Why do movies and TV shows list so many producers, and what is their role? Essentially, it's having some sort of fiduciary role, and nothing to do with the production of the movie.

"Real producers are the middlemen between all of the film's departments, makeup, costume, hair, editing, etc., and the director and writer(s) and their vision, " says Laura Lewis, spokesperson for Producers United - an advocacy group of producers devoted to the sustainability and promotion of 'career producers'. And stop the degradation of career producers and seek fair treatment, wages, and accreditation.

Laura Lewis and Jonathan Wang of Producers United

Producer credits are given to a movie's financiers, actors, talent managers, etc., without any production function. "Career producers are pretty easy to spot. They're paid to produce. Currently, there are so many producers credited, but 'real' producers oversee every part of production, pre-production, post-production, and distribution," says Jonathan Wang of Producers United.

I, and anyone who has endured the pre-credits of a movie, know that Producers United has a valid beef, and they should be given special credit.

By: Jim Lavorato

White House Cinema To Be Rebuilt

 

Current WH Cinema - screen will be enlarged with renovation

The White House cinema, which is used to hold screenings for Presidents, their families, and invited guests, is among the spaces being removed as part of the on-going demolition of the East Wing to make room for the $300 million, 90,000 sq. ft. ballroom project.

But, not to worry, a completely upgraded cinema is being constructed. A WH spokesperson stated, "the  theater will be modernized and renovated with the rest of the East Wing."   

The current cinema has 42 seats. The President or his family members can screen any movie they desire - from current first-runs to classic films. A WH staff member simply calls the Motion Picture Association, which notifies the applicable Hollywood studio to obtain the movie.  

Obamas viewing a 3D film

The $300 million upgrade of the ballroom includes an upgrade to the East Wing, which is being financed by private donors and not by taxpayer dollars. 

The first movie ever screened at the WH was "Birth of a Nation" for Woodrow Wilson.

By: Jim Lavorato

             

Update on Lucas Museum

 As a follow-up to a prior CMG post on the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, its opening is now set for September 2026.

The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art

Located in LA's Exposition Park, the massive building will have 35 galleries and hold over 40,000 works representing one of the most significant collections in narrative art. 

"Stories are mythology, and when illustrated, they help humans understand the mysteries of life," states George Lucas. The museum will also house the Lucas Archives, containing models, props, concept art, and costumes from Lucas's films. 

With a reported cost of $1 billion, the museum has been more than a decade in the making. Several works are depicted below:

Mars illustration

Rockwell's 'Age of Romance' 

By: Jim Lavorato

Labubu Movie in the Works

 If you don't know what Labubu are, you know now. Labubu are plush, cute/ugly bag charms that are  headed to the silver screen.

Labubu

Sony Pictures bought the film rights to the Chinese Labubu charms, with the aim of making a movie and hopefully developing a franchise. It's too early to tell if the film will be live-action or animated.

Labubu (the plural of Labubu is Labubu) exploded in sales when PopMart, a Hong Kong retailer, started selling 'blind boxes' of the charms - meaning buyers never knew which Labubu they were purchasing until they opened the package. With limited editions, the charms now have a huge secondary market. 

Various Labubu

Labubu is the name of the lead charm. Zimomo, Mlkoko, and Tycoco are Labubu's best friends, and there are lots more.

Toys have been inspiring films, The Lego Movie, and Barbie generated huge box office and also earned several Oscar nominations.

By: Jim Lavorato 

Animal Actors Can't Get Work

 

Several animal actors from the Harry Potter films

Rocco, a Saint Bernard/Boxer who is a celebrated canine movie actor, can't get a gig.

Karin McElhatton, owner of Studio Animal Services, which has provided animals to projects like Ghostbusters, LA Confidential, and CSI-Miami, says, "We fear that real animals will be replaced by generated AI ones in films, TV shows, and commercial ads."

A group of canine actors at Universal

Gone are the days of Lassie and Rin Tin Tin. Even horses, which were and are used in many films and TV Shows, are under threat of AI replacement.     

Coaching on a movie set 

Perhaps real animals do add authenticity, but I feel that  AI-generated animals will be used in all forms of entertainment and promotion.

Antarctica: The New A-Lister Destination

 Traveling to the South Pole is attracting the glitterati. Leaving from the southernmost tip of South America, a group of four A-listers over a 10-day vacation can do it lavishly for about $3.5 million.

The ships they sail on feature veranda suites, heated floors, satellite internet, and gourmet meals.

Ship with helipad for those who want to fly in/out..

 

If this isn't your taste, visitors can fly in private jets from Cape Town, South Africa, to White Descent, a luxury glamping facility not far from the South Pole - the charge is $110,00 per person for a three-day stay.

It's not just the Hollywood elite who make the journey south, but other well-heeled folks. The continent had 107,000 visitors last year. "The traveler base has definitely broadened to include younger professionals and well-off families: says Alex Ros, owner of Antarctica-based Open Sky Expeditions.

Luxury accommodations at the South Pole

Telling your friends and family about a trip to the South Pole makes for far more excitement than a visit to a Mediterranean beach. For the Hollywood set and wealthy travelers, the appeal of going to the bottom of the earth is a rare and unusual experience. 

By: Jim Lavorato

Trending With the Hollywood Glitterati is Animal Plastic Surgery

 One of the hottest trends for the Hollywood crowd is cosmetic procedures for pets. Veterinarians have reported a spike in requests for eye lifts to tummy tucks for man's best friend.

In Los Angeles, where image is everything and a bulldog can have an Instagram page that generates more income than its owner earns, pets must look purr-fect.

Pet surgeries fall into two categories: corrective (eyelid lifts for vision problems) and aesthetic (tightening of wrinkles and tummy tucks). Animal dental specialists do canine braces and veneers.

According to Django Mantel, an oral surgeon at NYC's Animal Medical Center, "only a tiny number of dogs get braces for cosmetic reasons, but it is getting more prevalent. The majority of braces are animals who have genetic issues or are from accidents."

And so it goes.

By: Jim Lavorato

Visiting Hollywood Has Vanished

 

Warner Bros. Tower - A Symbol of Old Hollywood 

Once filled with tourists on tour buses to view the homes of the glitterati or stroll down the Walk of Fame, Hollywood now attracts a trickle of visitors.

The glamor has left Hollywood. Most movie stars, back in the day, lived in the Hollywood Hills; now they are dispersed, and many live outside of California altogether. Younger visitors struggle to identify the names on the Walk of Fame, and there are no notable anchor sites of real interest. 

According to Hollywood Partnership, a non-profit dedicated to the economic viability of greater Hollywood, "foot traffic is down 50% since last year due to a neglected neighborhood, which is dirty and uncomfortable for tourists. Additionally, there is really nothing to see or do. The neighborhood is no longer the center of film and TV production, and LA is no longer where many people in the film industry live."  

Some argue that Hollywood needs redevelopment, while others contend that as production jobs leave and people's interests shift, reviving the past will not be effective - there's really nothing to develop.

Once the epicenter of global media production, the Hollywood of the past has disappeared. However, it is also the creator of the sequel, and we might see this materialize with the revitalization of  LA's hosting of the Olympics.

By: Jim Lavorato

Gambling: A Cinema Competitor

 One of the competitors to the movies is gambling. You may think this is laughable - it's not.

Per the American Gaming Association, legal U.S. sports betting posted a record $13.8 billion last year - overall betting topped $150 billion.

Disney's ESPN, the world's largest sports broadcaster, recently inked a deal with DraftKings, a live betting and sports book company which represents all major sports franchises, making DraftKings the "exclusive official sports book and odds provider to ESPN." ESPN BET will be the brand and will be aired via a new televised  show entitled "ESPN Bet Live."

Under the agreement, ESPN users will have access to betting features and offerings from DraftKings, including:  sportsbook, fantasy games, and other betting platforms. DraftKings operates online with over 10 million customers. It also runs restaurant-betting sites where customers can bet, watch games and events, eat and drink, and linger for hours.

Gambling is big and getting bigger, and although not directly related to the movies it does provide an alternative destination in and outside the home.

By: Jim Lavorato

What Are People Watching: The New Trend in Entertainment

 

While the movie box office remains stagnant, traditional TV and streaming viewing are decreasing among younger viewers. 42% of Gen Z respondents stated that YouTube and other social media outlets, such as TikTok, are preferred over traditional TV or streaming platforms.

According to Activate Consulting's new study, Technology & Media Outlook 2026, 42% of Gen Z are opting to receive their entertainment and news reporting from YouTube and TikTok.

Microdramas are one of the fastest-growing trends in viewing. These are typically 1-2 minute scripted ongoing stories of 50 or more episodes. Each episode ends with a cliffhanger to keep viewers engaged. There are currently 28 million adults (aged 18-34) viewing microdramas daily in the U.S.

By: Jim Lavorato

Is Hollywood Dead?

 It could be argued that Hollywood's current condition and dilemma is a metaphor for California. The film industry in LA is at an inflection point... either the industry will die or be resurrected by State tax credits and subsidies. 

"We've hit bottom", states FilmLA's CEO Paul Audley, "We'll see more shooting by the end of the year, but because of timelines, we must start seeing the ramp up in production by the 1st quarter of 2026."      According to FilmLA, the group that issues film permits for the city and county of Los Angeles, film production experienced a record low in the 3rd quarter.  

This prompted the State to pass a tax credit program totaling $1.6 billion for film and TV show production. Thus far, 10 films are signed up to take advantage of the program, totaling $36.9 million.

The tax credit program will bump up production, but high labor costs coupled with lucrative benefits offered by other U.S. States and foreign countries will, I believe, stymie its long-term prospects. Outmigration of production workers is another issue California has to grapple with.   

Hollywood's only bright spot and long-term revenue generator is TV show production and commercial ads. These are two areas where Hollywood does and will continue to excel - it is currently number two after England in TV show production. 

Like Hollywood, many of California's problems are self-induced. I fear film production may have already reached the point of no return. There will be plenty of films produced, but they won't be shot in LA.  

Gaming and The Movies

 Gaming and the movies are very closely related. Games made into movies - movies made into games. You can say it is a symbiotic relationship, so it's a good idea to take a peek into where gaming fits on the entertainment scale.  

52% of active gamers are women

The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) just issued an exhaustive study (over 25,000 people were surveyed) on just that ... and their findings will surprise you.

Women make up over half of all U.S. gamers (52%), and 22% are over the age of 65. The stereotype of gamers dominated by young men who sit for hours engrossed in mindless escapism is a complete fallacy.

ESA's 2025 Survey gathered data from over 25,000 gamers. Participants were aged 16-65+, and identified themselves as 'active' gamers. The average gamer is 41 years old. The age group with the greatest number of active gamers was the 65+ group. Additionally, the majority of U.S. gamers are women - 52%.

These statistics are due to the variety and innovation of the gaming industry. Video games include not only action first-person games, but include puzzle games, role-playing games, skill and chance games, and more. It's something for everyone. The most popular gaming device is the smartphone followed by tablets.

And, just like the movies or music, there is a game for everyone. 

 

Instagram Misuse of Movie Rating

 The Motion Picture Association (MPA), the major film makers' trade association, was not informed by Instagram (owned by Meta) that they were using the MPA's PG-13 rating symbol.

"The MPA was not contacted before the use of our rating symbol by Instagram as a tool for their Teen Accounts", stated Charles Rivkin, MPA's CEO.

The MPA introduced its film-rating system in November 1968. It utilizes a Rating Board that watches every movie in its entirety and assigns it a rating.

Over 90% of parents say the ratings help them make better viewing choices for their families - and that's why Instagram wanted to use it. A legal settlement will likely be worked out regarding the use of the movie rating.

MPA members are Netflix, Paramount Pictures, Prime Video, Amazon/MGM, Sony Pictures, Universal Studios, Walt Disney Studios, and Warner Bros. Discovery.

Too Loud to Endure...CA Finally Gets Something Right

 

Governor Gavin Newsom of California has made noise pollution a priority of his administration. New legislation mandates that the noise level of advertisements must be at the same level as the movie or TV show being streamed by the likes of Netflix, Disney+, Amazon, etc.

The bill, SB576, passed unanimously by both the CA Senate and Assembly, was signed into law by Newsom. Starting in July 2026, major streaming services won't be able to "transmit the audio of commercial advertisement louder than the video content the advertisements accompany."

Many streaming platforms use tiered pricing that requires consumers to pay a premium for "no ads" viewing, but most subscribers opt for the lower cost "ads included" tier; however, the loudness of these ads is pronounced and very irritating.

It should be noted that the Motion Picture Association, a lobby group for the major film studios, opposed the new law, noting "that many streaming services have undertaken reasonable efforts to adjust the loudness of advertisements."  Really! Consumers are very much in favor of this legislation, and I don't blame them, being a victim myself.

This is one law that other States should follow, and I don't say that often about many of CA's laws.

Hollywood, Big Tech, and AI

Generative AI is poised to have a profound impact on everyone and everything, including how Hollywood conducts its business. No one can stop technology from evolving, and the reshaping of media and entertainment is imminent - it's all connected.

The advancement of technology cannot be stopped.

AI companies have grown like mushrooms. OpenAI is worth $500 billion, Anthropic is worth $183 billion, and privately held Grok (owned by Elon Musk's X) is valued in the hundreds of billions. Generative AI is set to have a significant impact on everyone and everything, including the way Hollywood conducts its business. Technology is constantly evolving, and the transformation of the media and entertainment industries is inevitable.

Given this situation, Hollywood, being a major source of content for AI platforms requiring vast amounts of material, presents a compelling case for big tech companies - such as Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, and Netflix - to acquire Hollywood studios with their large libraries of movies and TV shows.  The reshaping of media and entertainment is imminent—everything is interconnected.

The race is on: big tech vs. AI w/ players like  Altman, Musk, Zucherburg

Needless to say, this whole scenario has spawned massive copyright litigation from authors and other content creators, and the Hollywood studios are throwing their legal firepower against AI firms for the use of their copyrighted text and imagery.

There is no doubt that AI will drive the next generation of productivity and innovation worldwide. It will fuel the next wave of global megacompanies. This, in turn, will turbocharge the U.S. economy.

Note: Key AI Terms:

Agent: An AI entity that uses software and apps to execute commands.

Chatbots: Communicative software that connects with users in conversation style.

Fair Use: The use of copyrighted material for educational or journalistic purposes.

Generative AI: Technology that allows users to create content, including text, images, and videos. It can autonomously construct material based on input to its system.

Large Language Model: AI databases that are capable of engaging in dialogue with users, writing prose, and analyzing enormous amounts of text information from the internet.

By: Jim Lavorato

Taylor Swift...You Can't Argue with Success

 Like her or not, you can't deny the success of Taylor Swift.

Her latest endeavor, a film, opened in cinemas for a three-day run this weekend. The film, "The Official Release Party of a Showgirl", is composed of behind-the-scenes footage of her tour, which includes personal commentary. The 90-minute film is wrapped around Swift's latest album (Life of a Showgirl) and is presented without trailers or promotions.

Can Swift go from teenyboppers to mainstream acceptance?

 

The film is a very professionally crafted music video and demonstrates that Swift is not only a great musical artist but a marketing and self-promoting genius. The film grossed over $46 million in its three-day release. And she again opted to bypass the Hollywood studios and partnered directly with AMC Theatres to distribute the movie. 

Swift, who was a Biden supporter, appears to have pivoted from her left-leaning ideology to a much more centrist view - voicing her support of heterosexual marriage, having children, and owning your own home. Swifties idolize her, and many will follow suit on how to live their lives.  

A-Listers Make Big Bank with Side Hustles

Hawking wine, watches, or woks, celebrities are cashing in on any number of side hustles.  Star-owned brands are the current trend in retail, selling through both online and brick-and-mortar outlets. 

Top celebrity entrepreneur standouts include

- Jennifer Aniston, who markets a very successful line of hair care products, called LolaVie.

At 56, Aniston is the best spokesperson for her brand.

- Drew Barrymore has an exclusive deal with Walmart to sell her signature kitchenware, pet collection, bedding, and home decor lines.

Rihanna's line of beauty products sold over $500 million in 2024

- Selena Gomez's Rare Beauty cosmetic line reached $400 million in 2024. For this year, sales for the first eight months were over $481 million. This represents the highest-ranking celebrity beauty brand, second only to Rihanna's Fenty Beauty line, which reached $515 million last year.  

                             

Johnson hawking his Teremana tequila

- Dwayne Johnson concentrates on three lines of products: Teremana tequila, Zoa energy drinks, and Papatui men's cosmetic products. Teremana sold 1 million cases in its first 12 months on the market, a record for a premium spirit.

Lady Gaga does a photo shoot touting the Haus Labs line

- Lady Gaga's Haus Labs beauty brand is sold exclusively at Sephora outlets worldwide.

- Brad Pitt's Miravel rose reached sales of $60 million in 2024. Pitt is also the co-founder of Beau Domaine skincare products and God's True Cashmere clothing line, among other ventures.

In actuality, big celebrities are making big bucks on branded products. In some cases, these side gigs generate more money than they make acting or performing. 

Tariffs on Foreign Films...A Real Bad Idea!

President Trump announced a 100% tariff on all foreign films in an effort to promote domestic film production, principally in Hollywood. 

This is the worst idea ever. Forget its legality, it's just plain dumb. Imposing tariffs on artistic endeavors would be a first. Films are not products, but collaborations presented in digital form.

Film production has indeed shifted outside the U.S., but this is due entirely to the high cost of domestic production, particularly in California.

Someone should ask Trump, "How do you enforce a movie tariff given that films use production, financing, post-production, and visual effects across multiple countries?"

California already has a slew of tax incentives for film production, as do other States, but it's still infinitely cheaper to produce overseas. Imposing tariffs on foreign films is not going to save 'dying Hollywood' - California's problems are much deeper and are impacting many industries negatively.  

And what about streamers? How would tariffs apply to streaming platforms?

In 2024, the international marketplace accounted for over 70% of total box office admissions. Therefore, reciprocal tariffs by other countries would result in the loss of billions of dollars and thousands of jobs within the U.S. 

Making a movie is a very complex endeavor. It's very common for films to include production in the U.S. and other countries. "When you make these sorts of blanket rules, in this case tariffs, you're missing some of the nuance of how films are made", says Steven Schiffran, Professor at Georgetown University, "sometimes a director needs to film in an overseas location(s) when producing a film. For example, the Harry Potter films were shot entirely in the U.K. To produce them in the U.S. would have doubled their cost." 

If a 100% tariff were imposed on foreign films, admission costs at U.S. cinemas would have to rise, placing further stress on struggling movie attendance. 

Tariffs on foreign films are a bad idea, and I predict it will never happen.

Jim Lavorato