Skydance Media
| Company type | Privately held company |
|---|---|
| Industry | Media production and financing |
| Founded | 2006 |
| Founder | David Ellison |
| Headquarters | Santa Monica, California , United States |
Area served | Global |
Key people | David Ellison (Founder and CEO), Dana Goldberg (Chief Creative Officer), Don Granger (Executive Vice President), Jesse Sisgold (President and COO), Larry Wasserman (CFO) |
| Owner | David Ellison (majority), RedBird Capital Partners, CJ ENM, Tencent, KKR (minority) |
Skydance Media, LLC (previously known as Skydance Productions) is a privately held American company specializing in media production and financing, with its main office located in Santa Monica, California. Established in 2006 by entrepreneur David Ellison, Skydance engages in the global entertainment industry, spanning film, animation, television, video games, and sports.
In 2009, Skydance entered into a strategic five-year collaboration with Paramount Pictures to jointly produce and finance films, a partnership that was extended through 2021. On July 7, 2024, Skydance revealed intentions to merge with Paramount Global via an $8 billion all-stock transaction, acquiring control from Paramount's major shareholder National Amusements. The Federal Communications Commission approved this merger on July 24, 2025.
Leadership at Skydance includes founder and CEO David Ellison, Chief Creative Officer Dana Goldberg, Executive Vice President Don Granger, President and COO Jesse Sisgold, along with CFO Larry Wasserman. The company's ownership primarily resides with Ellison, while minority stakes are held by RedBird Capital Partners, CJ ENM, Tencent, and KKR.
Skydance’s broad business framework incorporates divisions such as Pictures, Television, Animation, Interactive Games (operating under the Uncharted brand), Sports, Nocturna, and Development. This organizational design fosters its competitive edge and supports expansion across international markets.
Formation
Skydance Productions was launched in 2006 by David Ellison, son of Larry Ellison, the co-founder and then-CEO of Oracle Corporation. The company's name reflects Ellison's enthusiasm for aviation aerobatics known as "skydancing." Its debut film, Flyboys (2006), featured Ellison himself and was co-financed alongside Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.
In 2009, Skydance secured a five-year agreement with Paramount Pictures for co-financing, production, and distribution of films, including an option for further distribution rights. Dana Goldberg joined as chief creative officer prior to August 2010 after previously working at Village Roadshow Pictures. That same year, supported by an investment from Larry Ellison, Skydance raised $350 million through equity and credit facilities to finance its film projects.
In October 2011, Skydance sought to onboard producers Alex Kurtzman and the late Roberto Orci of K/O Paper Products, but the negotiations were ultimately unsuccessful.
Expansion
On May 1, 2013, Skydance established its television division named Skydance Television with Marcy Ross appointed as president. Jesse Sisgold came aboard in 2014 as President of Business Affairs & Strategic Planning; by 2017 he had advanced to president while maintaining his role as COO. Don Granger was promoted to executive vice president of Feature Productions in 2014 and reported directly to Goldberg. Anne Globe took on the role of chief marketing officer in 2015.
Later that year, Skydance secured $700 million in financing—comprising $200 million in equity from investors and a $500 million credit line from J.P. Morgan Chase—and renewed its film slate agreement with Paramount for an additional four years.
On May 3, 2016, Skydance launched Skydance Interactive following the acquisition of The Workshop Entertainment and announced the virtual reality game Archangel in January 2017. In December 2016, it introduced the Uncharted label to cover content beyond action, science fiction, or fantasy genres. That year also saw the company rebrand itself as "Skydance Media."
In March 2017, Skydance initiated Skydance Animation through a multi-year collaboration with Madrid-based Ilion Animation Studios. By August of that year, it extended its Paramount slate deal through 2021 to include animated feature films for distribution.
In January 2018, Tencent acquired a minority ownership stake estimated between 5% and 10%. Later that year in October, Jun Oh was appointed head of theatrical, interactive, and legal affairs. In February 2020, RedBird Capital Partners along with CJ ENM invested capital into Skydance. Stephanie Kyoko McKinnon became general counsel in April 2020. On October 20, 2021, Skydance unveiled Skydance Sports under Jon Weinbach’s leadership to develop sports-themed productions.
In January 2022, the company entered into a multi-year non-exclusive first-look agreement with Apple Original Films, committing to produce two live-action films annually with budgets exceeding $125 million each; Skydance retained intellectual property ownership and the freedom to collaborate with other distributors.
On October 13, 2022, Skydance completed a $400 million strategic funding round led by Kohlberg Kravis Roberts (KKR), marking KKR’s inaugural investment in the firm; however, the Ellison family maintained majority ownership. By April 2023, Skydance supported country music artist Tim McGraw’s Nashville-based enterprise "Down Home," developing scripted series alongside plans for feature films and animation projects. On July 7 of that year, Skydance secured a new $1 billion credit facility from JPMorgan Chase aimed at increasing investment flexibility across its various business segments.
Acquisition of Paramount Global
In January 2024, David Ellison revealed his intention to purchase National Amusements, the parent company of Paramount Global, from Shari Redstone. Skydance initiated exclusive discussions regarding a merger with Paramount, though the initial talks concluded without an agreement. Afterwards, an independent committee endorsed a revised $2 billion proposal from Ellison to acquire National Amusements. By June 2024, Skydance and Paramount reached an agreement on merger conditions, subject to approval by National Amusements.
Following the breakdown of merger negotiations in June, talks recommenced in July, resulting in a preliminary deal. On July 7, Ellison declared Skydance’s plan to acquire Paramount Global in an $8 billion transaction sanctioned by a special board committee. This deal includes Skydance investors contributing $2.4 billion in cash to acquire National Amusements, while Paramount will distribute $4.5 billion in cash and shares to its Class A and B shareholders, injecting $1.5 billion in primary capital into its financial structure. The subsequent phase involves an all-stock merger between Skydance Media and Paramount valued at $4.75 billion, with Paramount granted 45 days to entertain competing offers before finalizing the arrangement.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) granted approval for the acquisition on July 24, 2025.
Released
style=text-align:center; September 30 , 2022 style=text-align:center; April 5 , 2023 style=text-align:center; April 21 , 2023 style=text-align:center; June 9 , 2023 style=text-align:center; July 12 , 2023 style=text-align:center; August 11 , 2023 style=text-align:center; September 22 , 2023 style=text-align:center; December 15 , 2023 style=text-align:center; November 22 , 2024 style=text-align:center; February 14 , 2025 style=text-align:center; rowspan=2; May 23 , 2025 style=text-align:center; July 2 ,| Release | Title | Co-production companies | Distributor(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| as Skydance Productions | |||
| September 22, 2006 | Flyboys | Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Ingenious Media, Electric Entertainment | MGM Distribution Co. |
| December 22, 2010 | True Grit | Mike Zoss Productions, Scott Rudin Productions | Paramount Pictures |
| December 16, 2011 | Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol | Bad Robot, TC Productions | |
| December 19, 2012 | The Guilt Trip | Michaels/Goldwyn | |
| December 21, 2012 | Jack Reacher | TC Productions | |
| March 28, 2013 | G.I. Joe: Retaliation | Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Hasbro Studios, Di Bonaventura Pictures | |
| May 15, 2013 | Star Trek Into Darkness | Bad Robot, K/O Paper Products | |
| June 21, 2013 | World War Z | Hemisphere Media Capital, Plan B Entertainment, GK Films | |
| January 17, 2014 | Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit | Di Bonaventura Pictures, Mace Neufeld Productions | |
| July 1, 2015 | Terminator Genisys | Annapurna Pictures | |
| July 31, 2015 | Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation | Bad Robot, Alibaba Pictures, China Movie Channel, TC Productions | |
| as Skydance | |||
| July 22, 2016 | Star Trek Beyond | Alibaba Pictures, Huahua Media, Bad Robot, Sneaky Shark Productions, Perfect Storm Entertainment | Paramount Pictures |
| October 21, 2016 | Jack Reacher: Never Go Back | TC Productions, Shanghai Film Group, Huahua Media | |
| March 24, 2017 | Life | Columbia Pictures, Mockingbird Pictures | Sony Pictures Releasing |
| May 25, 2017 | Baywatch | Uncharted; Shanghai Film Group, Huahua Media, Seven Bucks Productions, The Montecito Picture Company, Fremantle Productions, Flynn Picture Company | Paramount Pictures |
| October 20, 2017 | Geostorm | Electric Entertainment, RatPac-Dune Entertainment | Warner Bros. Pictures |
| February 23, 2018 | Annihilation | Scott Rudin Productions, DNA Films |
Paramount Pictures (U.S. and China) |
| July 27, 2018 | Mission: Impossible – Fallout | Alibaba Pictures, Bad Robot, TC Productions | Paramount Pictures |
| October 11, 2019 | Gemini Man | Alibaba Pictures, Fosun Pictures, Jerry Bruckheimer Films | |
| November 1, 2019 | Terminator: Dark Fate | Tencent Pictures, TSG Entertainment, Lightstorm Entertainment |
Paramount Pictures (U.S.) |
| December 13, 2019 | 6 Underground | Bay Films | Netflix |
| July 10, 2020 | The Old Guard | Denver and Delilah Productions, Marc Evans Productions | |
| April 30, 2021 | Without Remorse | Paramount Pictures, New Republic Pictures, Weed Road Pictures, Outlier Society, Midnight Radio Productions | Amazon Studios |
| July 2, 2021 | The Tomorrow War | Paramount Pictures and New Republic Pictures | |
| July 23, 2021 | Snake Eyes | Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Entertainment One and Di Bonaventura Pictures | Paramount Pictures |
| March 11, 2022 | The Adam Project | 21 Laps Entertainment and Maximum Effort | Netflix |
| May 27, 2022 | Top Gun: Maverick | Don Simpson/Jerry Bruckheimer Films and TC Productions | style="text-align:center;" Paramount Pictures |
| style="text-align:center;" August 5 , 2022 | scope=row Luck | (Skydance Animation); Apple Original Films | (Apple TV+) |
| scope=row The Greatest Beer Run Ever
Apple Original Films and Living Films Apple TV+ | |||
| scope=row Air
Skydance Sports; Artists Equity , Studio 8 , Mandalay Pictures Amazon Studios (U.S.) / Warner Bros. Pictures (International) | |||
| scope=row Ghosted
Apple Studios Apple TV+ | |||
| scope=row Transformers: Rise of the Beasts
Hasbro , Bayhem Films , New Republic Pictures , Di Bonaventura Pictures Paramount Pictures | |||
| scope=row "Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning"
TC Productions Paramount Pictures | |||
| scope=row Heart of Stone
Pilot Wave , Mockingbird Pictures Netflix | |||
| scope=row Spy Kids: Armageddon
Troublemaker Studios , Spyglass Media Group Netflix | |||
| scope=row The Family Plan
Apple Studios , Municipal Pictures Apple TV+ | |||
| scope=row Spellbound
Skydance Animation Netflix | |||
| scope=row The Gorge
Apple Studios , Lit Entertainment Group , Crooked Highway Apple TV+ | |||
| scope=row 'Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning'
TC Productions Paramount Pictures | |||
| scope=row 'Fountain of Youth'
Apple Studios , Project X Entertainment , Radio Silence Productions Apple TV+ | |||
| scope=row 'The Old Guard 2'
Denver and Delilah Productions , Marc Evans Productions Netflix | |||
Upcoming
| Release | Title | Collaborating Studios | Distributor(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Pookoo | Produced by Skydance Animation | Netflix |
| Matchbox | Apple Studios in partnership with Mattel Films | Apple TV+ | |
| rowspan="7" style="text-align:center;" Template:TBA | Ray Gunn | Produced by Skydance Animation | Netflix |
| Mayday | Apple Studios and Maximum Effort | Apple TV+ | |
| The Family Plan 2 | Apple Studios alongside Municipal Pictures | ||
| Balls Up | Reese/Wernick Productions | Amazon MGM Studios | |
| Way of the Warrior Kid | Apple Studios, Wonderland Sound and Vision, Everard Entertainment, and Indivisible Productions | Apple TV+ | |
| Untitled Jack Ryan film | Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Paramount Pictures, and Sunday Night Productions | Amazon MGM Studios | |
| Untitled John Tuggle film | Under Skydance Sports; Megamix and Blackjack Films | Template:TBA |
In development
Skydance Television
Skydance Television operates as the television production branch of Skydance Media, established on May 1, 2013, with its main office located in Santa Monica, California. Marcy Ross was appointed as its inaugural president, followed by Bill Bost in January 2020, and subsequently Matt Thunell from Netflix took over in November 2022. Early on, Carolyn Harris assumed the role of vice president. Production management was initially led by Jake Rose and later by Carol Turner.
The division debuted with the series Manhattan, which premiered on WGN America in 2014 but was discontinued after two seasons despite receiving critical praise. Skydance Television formed significant collaborations with prominent figures such as Sam Raimi, David S. Goyer, Patrick Massett, John Zinman, and showrunner Alison Schapker to develop major projects, including the adaptation of Isaac Asimov’s Foundation. This series was acquired by Apple TV+ and renewed for a second season in 2021.
To broaden its portfolio, Skydance Television has entered into strategic overall agreements with writers and producers including David S. Goyer, Lewaa Nasserdeen, Olivia Purnell, and Nick Santora. The division has also produced series like AMC’s Dietland and Netflix’s FUBAR, featuring Arnold Schwarzenegger.
In 2020, Drew Brown was appointed head of production. The company has pursued first-look agreements with Exile Content Studio and Impact—a talent network owned by Ron Howard and Brian Grazer—strengthening its development pipeline.
Recent strategic collaborations include a multi-year first-look agreement with Octavia Spencer’s Orit Entertainment (December 2022), an exclusive first-look deal with author James Patterson (March 2023), and a major expansion announced in May 2024 with Gina Prince-Bythewood and Reggie Rock Bythewood’s Undisputed Cinema to double its series production amid industry challenges.
These initiatives underscore Skydance Television’s strategy of harnessing top-tier creative talent to increase its share in scripted television production across international platforms.
Released
| Title | First broadcast | Last broadcast | Co-production | Network |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manhattan | July 27, 2014 | December 15, 2015 | Lionsgate Television, Tribune Studios | WGN America |
| Grace and Frankie | May 8, 2015 | April 29, 2022 | Okay Goodnight! | Netflix |
| Ten Days in the Valley | October 1, 2017 | January 6, 2018 | Under Uncharted; Pentimento Productions, Cameron Pictures | ABC |
| Altered Carbon | February 2, 2018 | February 27, 2020 | Virago Productions, Mythology Entertainment, Phoenix Pictures | Netflix |
| Dietland | June 4, 2018 | July 30, 2018 | Under Uncharted; AMC Studios, Mockingbird Pictures, Tiny Pyro | AMC |
| Unapologetic with Aisha Tyler | June 4, 2018 | July 30, 2018 | Under Uncharted; AMC Studios, Embassy Row | AMC |
| Condor | June 6, 2018 | August 4, 2020 | Apophasis Unproductions, Paramount Television Studios, MGM Television | Audience Network, Epix |
| Jack Ryan | August 31, 2018 | July 14, 2023 | Paramount Television Studios, Amazon Studios, Platinum Dunes, Sunday Night Productions, Genre Arts, Push, Boot. | Amazon Prime Video |
| Foundation | September 24, 2021 | "Present" | Phantom Four | Apple TV+ |
| Reacher | February 4, 2022 | "Present" | Paramount Television Studios, Amazon Studios, Blackjack Films | Amazon Prime Video |
| Good Rivals | November 24, 2022 | December 1, 2022 | under Skydance Sports; Prime Video Sports, Meadowlark Media, Ocellated Media | Amazon Prime Video |
| The Checkup with Dr. David Agus | December 6, 2022 | December 12, 2022 | See It Now Studios | Paramount+ |
| The Big Door Prize | March 29, 2023 | June 12, 2024 | Studio Dragon/CJ ENM, Vidvad, Inc. (season 2) | Apple TV+ |
| FUBAR | May 25, 2023 | "Present" | Blackjack Films | Netflix |
| 'WondLa' | 'June 28, 2024' | "Present"' | 'under Skydance Animation; Gotham Group' | 'Apple TV+' |
| 'Terminator Zero' | 'August 29, 2024' | 'August 29, 2024' | 'Production I.G, No Brakes' | 'Netflix' |
| 'Cross' | 'November 14, 2024' | "Present"' | 'Blue Monday Productions, Paramount Television Studios, Amazon MGM Studios' | 'Amazon Prime Video' |
Upcoming
| Release | Title | Co-production | Network |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Untitled Kansas City Chiefs documentary series | Skydance Sports; NFL Films, Words + Pictures, 2PM Productions, Foolish Club Studios | ESPN |
| rowspan="16" Template:TBA | 12 12 12 | Anonymous Content | Apple TV+ |
| Neuromancer | Anonymous Content, DreamCrew Entertainment | ||
| Neagley | Amazon MGM Studios, CBS Studios, Blackjack Films, Nicholas Wootton Productions | Amazon Prime Video | |
| Ride or Die | Double Dream, Orit Entertainment | ||
| Brothers | J.K. Livin Productions | Apple TV+ | |
| Sword Art Online | Template:N/A | Netflix | |
| Ring Shout | Matt Jackson Pictures, Marc Evans Productions | ||
| The Runarounds | Template:N/A | Amazon Prime Video | |
| Untitled Lemaa Nasserdeen series | Template:N/A | Showtime | |
| Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella | Nuyorican Productions, Concord Originals | Disney+ | |
| Faster Than Light | Template:N/A | rowspan="7" Template:TBA | |
| Hotel del Luna | CJ ENM, Studio Dragon | ||
| Untitled Steins;Gate live-action television adaptation | Template:N/A | ||
| Oklahoma! | The Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization, Concord Originals | ||
| The Owl | Skydance Sports; Religion of Sports | ||
| Untitled America's Cup documentary series | Skydance Sports; Little Monster Films |
Canceled projects
| Year | Title | Network | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Red Mars | Spike | Adaptation of Kim Stanley Robinson's Mars trilogy novels |
| 2018 | Untitled live-action Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir series | Template:N/A | Developed alongside ZAG Inc., based on Thomas Astruc's animated show |
| 2021 | Untitled G.I. Joe Lady Jaye spin-off series | Amazon Prime Video | Joint production with Paramount Television Studios, Entertainment One, and Di Bonaventura Pictures; inspired by Donald Levine's toy franchise |
Skydance Interactive
Skydance Interactive—formerly known as The Workshop Entertainment—is the video game branch of Skydance Media, established on May 5, 2016. Based in Marina del Rey, California, this division specializes in creating cutting-edge titles and overseeing licensed projects for virtual reality and emerging platforms. Leadership includes President Peter Akemann and Dan Prigg, who took the helm as division head in 2022.
In May 2017, Chris Hewish was named EVP Interactive to direct strategy, development efforts, partnerships, and new business initiatives. Their inaugural VR release, Archangel, debuted in July 2017 and was later enhanced with the multiplayer expansion titled Archangel: Hellfire. The studio's second original game, the free-to-play multiplayer shooter PWND, launched in April 2018.
In collaboration with Skybound Entertainment during 2018, Skydance Interactive developed VR games set within the universe of The Walking Dead. Notable releases include the acclaimed titles The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners and its follow-up, Chapter 2: Retribution. In 2023, they published the next-generation VR experience Arashi: Castle of Sin – Final Cut, created by Endeavor One.
This segment of Skydance exemplifies the company’s strategic expansion into interactive entertainment by leveraging partnerships and innovative technologies to enhance growth and influence in the gaming industry.
Released
| Release | Title | Co-developers | Platform(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 18, 2017 | Archangel | rowspan="2" Template:N/A | Oculus Rift, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation VR |
| April 6, 2018 | PWND | Microsoft Windows | |
| January 23, 2020 | The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners | Skybound Entertainment | Oculus Rift, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation VR, Oculus Quest, PICO 4 |
| December 1, 2022 | The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners – Chapter 2: Retribution | Meta Quest 2, PlayStation VR, PlayStation VR2, PICO 4 | |
| December 5, 2023 | Arashi: Castles of Sin - Final Cut | Endeavor One | Meta Quest 2, Meta Quest 3, PlayStation VR2, Windows |
| December 5, 2024 | Skydance's Behemoth | rowspan="2" Template:N/A | Meta Quest 3, PlayStation VR2, SteamVR |
Upcoming
| Release | Title | Co-developers | Platform(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| TBA | Foundation: Galactic Frontier | FunPlus | TBA |
Skydance Animation
Skydance Animation serves as the animation branch of Skydance Media, focusing on producing animated films and series. Established on March 16, 2017, its prominent works include the feature-length film Luck alongside the short film Blush.
Skydance New Media
Founded in November 2019 and based in Santa Monica, California, Skydance New Media is a game development studio dedicated to crafting narrative-driven video game experiences. The studio is headed by president Amy Hennig, a distinguished executive and creative director within the gaming industry.
In October 2021, Skydance New Media revealed a partnership with Marvel Entertainment to develop an action-adventure title. By April 2022, it was announced that Lucasfilm Games would collaborate on a Star Wars project, widely believed to be a revival of the previously cancelled Project Ragtag, which was also led by Hennig.
During the August 2022 Disney & Marvel Games Showcase, Disney offered an exclusive preview of Skydance New Media’s Marvel group game. Featuring iconic characters such as Captain America and Black Panther set against Hydra adversaries during World War II, this title—named Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra—is built using Unreal Engine 5 and aims for a release in 2026.
Skydance New Media’s alliances with prominent intellectual property holders like Marvel and Lucasfilm highlight its business approach centered on leveraging well-known franchises to gain traction in the story-centric gaming market. Under Amy Hennig’s leadership, the studio benefits from her industry expertise and vision to drive strategic growth within international markets.
Games
| Release | Title | Publishers |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra | Plaion |
| TBA | Untitled Star Wars Game | Lucasfilm Games |
Skydance Sports
Skydance Sports, established on October 20, 2021, operates as a division of Skydance Media dedicated to creating sports-related films, series, and documentaries. Based in Santa Monica, California, the division is overseen by president Jon Weinbach.
In early 2022, Skydance Sports entered into a co-production agreement with Meadowlark Media to develop sports documentaries. This collaboration includes the three-part Amazon Prime series Good Rivals, which explores the soccer rivalry between Mexico and the United States, as well as a documentary centered on WNBA athlete Diana Taurasi.
March 2022 marked a partnership between Skydance Sports and Religion of Sports to produce multi-platform sports content, beginning with the scripted series The Owl. The following month, Skydance Sports teamed up with Amazon Studios, Artists Equity, and Mandalay Pictures to create a biographical drama about Nike Air Jordan, directed by Ben Affleck.
In October 2022, soccer icon Kylian Mbappé and his production company Zebra Valley entered into a multi-year first-look agreement with Skydance Sports.
November 2022 brought the announcement of a documentary series offering an inside look at the 2024 America's Cup, produced by Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin, the directors behind Free Solo.
Later in November, the NFL formed a joint venture with Skydance Sports through NFL Films and its investment branch 32 Equity to establish a leading global multi-sports production studio. Early projects include a Netflix-acquired documentary miniseries about Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, The Pick is In, an NFL Draft documentary for The Roku Channel, a Jason Kelce documentary for Amazon Prime Video, and the NFL-themed Hallmark film Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story.
External links
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