Barry Diller, the prominent businessman and chairman of IAC/InterActiveCorp and Expedia Group, recently shared his candid thoughts on a variety of topics, ranging from a past deal with George Lucas to the settlement between Paramount and Donald Trump. In a two-part conversation hosted by Kim Masters, Diller offered insights into his experiences building Rupert Murdoch's Fox empire and weighed in on the spread of misinformation by studios.
Diller's Lucas Deal Regret
Diller recounted a specific instance involving George Lucas and the Indiana Jones franchise. After making what he considered an unprecedented deal for Raiders of the Lost Ark, Diller, then chairman of Paramount, sought to establish more conventional terms for future installments. However, Lucas returned with the sequel, leading Diller to insist on a written agreement to prevent further deviations. Diller expressed lingering frustration that this agreement wasn't upheld, particularly coming from someone who had criticized Hollywood's morals and resided outside of the industry's epicenter.
Criticism of Studio Misinformation
Diller also voiced strong criticism of studios for spreading reckless misinformation, citing Oliver Stone's JFK as a prime example. He believes that studios have a responsibility to be truthful and avoid promoting narratives that could be harmful or misleading.
The Trump-Paramount Settlement
Addressing the settled dispute between Donald Trump and Paramount, Diller shared his perspective on the situation and the potential for a David Ellison-led studio. While the specifics of his comments remain somewhat vague in this summary, it's clear that Diller has a well-informed opinion on the matter.
Supporting Independent Media
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