We’re back for another Rumble Report, where we discuss the State of the Industry and get into a bit of everything that has occurred.
The State of the Industry
What’s going on? Well, my friends and I have spoken about how no one wants to talk about preparation for the strike that could potentially come. As it’s become fear-mongering, and the real issue here is, how can you come out on top after the strike and be prepared when the business halts? Additionally, the stipulations that come with it, like no transactions, no meetings, and no nothing. If you can write, write. If you’re an actor, study and rehearse. If you’re a director, watch movies and study styles, techniques, and philosophies. But either way, you’re not crossing those picket lines and getting barred from entry or work for a decade; it’s a career killer. May 1st, 2026, is when current Writers Guild Of America, USA contracts end.
Will Packer, Nina Lee, You, Me & Tuscany, and the Black Rom-Com Space.
So, for those who are not on Twitter, there has been some interesting discourse around the topic of Will Packer’s upcoming movie, You, Me & Tuscany, starring Halle Bailey (Grown-ish, The Little Mermaid) and Rege-Jean Page (Bridgerton, Dungeons & Dragons). William Yu spoke about how he wrote an Asian American rom-com feature that made significant strides in the writer world, got director attachments and a successful producer, and then there was a “no thanks.” And this is indicative of another issue with the disposable Asian trope: Asian American/Asian films gained momentum after Turning Red and Everything Everywhere All at Once, but still nothing. Source here.
This all comes as a result of an award-winning filmmaker nina lee (Artistic, Project Greenlight HBO, The Girls Room, That’s Her), discussing how her film That’s Her is currently held until the success of Packer’s movie brings results. She speaks on how she’s met with an executive about a romance script, and they won’t buy it until they see how the film does. Others’ success depends on the success of this film. I’ve personally been waiting for That’s Her for a while; at a dinner, I got to see and hear about Nina’s work on this, and greatly anticipate the roaring success for my friend. GO SEE THIS FILM. Even after the success of Sinners, Black filmmakers are having a hard time in the ecosystem. Which is all by design, but it doesn’t have to be. And why is that every time we make something, it’s always contingent on the most recent thing we’ve made? Not only that, it seems that even our success opens doors for other communities. It’s tough out here. There is a wonderful article covering the entire spectacle happening by Njera Perkins you can READ HERE: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/you-me-tuscany-black-rom-coms_n_69c57cb8e4b0a6ee60c3dfa3
Will Packer chimed in on the matter. Halle and Rege are doing their press run; the ads are cute and beautiful behind this film. In fact, due to this response, we’re seeing more of a push from filmmakers from all walks of life promoting. Which means I think Nina started something cool here. She’s even behind some of the marketing with Sinners and the discourse about the film. Today, March 27th, 2026, I saw Nina’s still of Coco Jones (Bel-Air, Let It Shine) and Kountrey Wayne (Holiday Heartbreak, Praise This) in “That’s Her” trending. And that was beautiful.
That’s Her by Nina Lee (ft. Kountry Wayne and Coco Jones)
I’m just saying, I’ve seen many a romantic comedy, some with substance, many without; the point is the feelings evoked, whether they fell short or not. All the flavors and sauces in the previews and advertising of the film suggest a movie that’s well done and necessary right now. You know what else you can support, too? They Will Kill You, starring Zazie Beetz and Myha’la, opens in theaters tonight.
A study recently showed that “Audiences Prefer Films with Diverse Casts,” a UCLA study finds. To which we’ve all responded with “fork found in kitchen,” “fish found in water,” or “oxygen needed to breathe. ” We know this, as we’ve been moving in this direction for a while, but studios have to also know.
I’ve been studying the trends for a while, and it’s silly, but the implications are dark. Unique Latino-led shows get canceled after the second or third season, unless it’s the cartel or drug-related. Asian-led shows get a serious bump, then poof, they’re gone after one season or no sequels. Black series have to fight to be seen, to get a chance to be greenlit, or they will never see the light of day. It’s bleak out here. Believing there are no audiences for them and not advertising to those audiences will make a hell of a case for not investing in them. But the studios still need to try. And with the removal of Black women in HR and DEI, it makes sense why less decision-making power is being put into the marketing and promotion of these films/series/IP.
So, you know where this is heading, right? Just watch. Support You, Me & Tuscany; support the films out now with diverse casts and unique stories; and if you don’t want to, then don’t say anything; just move on.
Upcoming Developments
The EPIGRAPH is a collaboration between Andreessen Horowitz’s Cultural Leadership Fund (CLF) and MACRO designed to support emerging storytellers integrating new tools into their creative process.
Please nominate your fellow creative or yourself here. FYI, if you nominate yourself, be prepared to be on camera; you’re going to need a personal statement video and a headshot. Thanks to MACRO and Andreessen Horowitz!
The Producers Guild of America‘s Produced By Conference is coming up. I’ve shared details about it before. If you’re able and can make the trip, I implore Black, Brown, and marginalized creatives to make the investment to go and get your project seen by investors and producers at these events. This makes a difference in getting your project made and seen. And it is that DEEP. The organizations that service these communities could be planning a field trip and taking prepared filmmakers to the studios at Universal and putting them in the rooms where it happens. My good friend Jordan Michael mentions to me that when David Zaslav came to acquire Warner Bros., he did not want his people in meetings all day, because it keeps them from doing the work. The work that matters. Instead of being in books or studying, why not go to the rooms where it happens and be exposed to the landscape? Organizations love a good Zoom or meetup. Let’s plan for tackling and attending these events. They need to see us there.
Today marks the start of WonderCon weekend at the Anaheim Convention Center. Those in California who are traveling, have fun, and be safe. Enjoy the festivities. Badges are still on sale now.
My last article: Has film festivals in different states happening NOW, resources updated, and things to fill your creative needs, plus a mini Rumble Report in there. Check it out; we’re updating with more resources and a special look at my writers’ room and an inside look at what we’re doing as independent Black creatives, our struggles, and our determination in this business. Even a shoutout from John Wayne S. III and the Then There Was series!
If you got this far, definitely comment something encouraging. 🙂
Netflix is Raising the Prices
Netflix is raising the price on subscriptions, and once again, the commentary is all market research! Just know that the more you stake, the more you comment on it, cancel, and push back, the more they collect the data. After earning a free $2.8B in cash flow, paying $600M to buy Ben Affleck’s AI company. Source Here: https://www.npr.org/2026/03/06/nx-s1-5739370/netflix-ben-affleck-ai-interpositive-deal
So what’s the deal? If I were Netflix , I would not raise prices in the middle of stagflation and a looming recession. I would definitely do that also after the impending strike, because what are the chances they pull back and lower them? Also, with a strike possible, it doesn’t look good for the consumer. The ads will take care of it.
Well, animators, cheers. Sora AI video app is shutting down after just launching. Disney is exiting the deal after it pledged to invest $1B in it last year. Here are my thoughts: everyone is in the AI game because there could be a bypass to unions and strikes by essentially creating content faster and with tight contracts for actors to lend their voices and potentially likenesses. But the whole situation is sinister; look at the environmental and ethical dilemma behind it. Shoot, even the social. I will definitely write more on my musings for how AI should be used in the business, but for artists, VFX, etc, this is a win. We’re also seeing the potential bubble burst with AI, the stock market, and more.
The Warner Bros. and Paramount Doomed Romance
Alright, last part. I am seeing confidence about the merger take massive form. Richard Rushfield of the The Ankler wrote about the deal not looking likely because there is a FIGHT. Its financing is built on a house of cards. I spoke on the Rumble Report before this one about how, with the war we were forced into, Saudi financing being shaky, and now the bipartisan support of preserving the entertainment landscape, and the economic impact this merger imposes.
Even Noah Wyle (The Pitt, ER, Leverage) and others chime in on the deal; you can watch recordings of the hearings. I have, you should to, this is our business we’re talking about. Our right to creative longevity is threatened by this deal. Which all leads back to, we’ll strike over this too. AI, healthcare, the merger, and tax incentives are among many reasons we could be right back on the picket line. Richard goes over 10 reasons why in his article. Do subscribe to and follow the Ankler for news about the business of entertainment.
This is an important time in our business, and on April 23rd, Warner Bros. Discovery chairs and stakeholders meet to vote on the matter. And seven days after? WGA contracts are set to expire. It’s getting critical.
Closing Remarks
There was a lot happening this week in the business, and I’m so excited to share what’s in the works. I have an article coming out about me and what I’ve been up to. It’s a sequel to the last one, but grateful. If you are interested in continuing the discussion, have questions, or are looking for my services at your firm, please send me a message. Otherwise, this has been your Rumble Report. Thanks.
I cannot tell the truth about anything unless I confess being a student, growing and learning something new everyday. The more I learn, the clearer my view of the world becomes.
World Rumble 
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