"Offscreen, however, it was full of fear and loathing: Encroaching AI technology made it look like a huge number of traditional jobs within the industry would soon be toast; an ongoing series of colossal corporate mergers likewise suggested a future of reduced activity, human input, and creative risk. The return of a POTUS both obsessed with and endlessly resentful towards "Hollywood" resulted in a stream of impulsive, sweeping White House announcements that panicked the business, even if so far they haven't generated much real policy."
"Then there's the general bending of knee by CEOs to Trump, which might ensure them favorable treatment in the short run but could have a very chilling effect in the long. Already it's said that racially diverse casting, LGBTQ+ representation etc. are on the downturn, presumably for fear of MAGA's wrath over "DEI." Major studios are entering the "faith-based entertainment" business, hitherto mostly a sector unto itself."
"January 30 will see the already heavily-promoted wide release of an documentary about the First Lady-produced by Amazon MGM, directed by Rush Hour's Brett Ratner, in his first such endeavor since six women accused him of sexual assault and harassment in 2017. (Incidentally, Trump has called for another Rush Hour movie to be made- and Paramount has complied.) Melania reportedly cost over $40 million-a sum that could fund anywhere from 80 to several hundred average non-fiction features."
Onscreen, 2025 looked broadly similar to other years for movies. Offscreen forces created deep industry anxiety: encroaching AI and massive corporate mergers threatened traditional roles, reduced human input, and curbed creative risk. A returned President obsessed with and resentful of "Hollywood" issued impulsive announcements and proposed tariffs on foreign-produced content, producing industry panic despite limited concrete policy. CEO alignment with the administration produced short-term favors but risked long-term chilling effects on casting and representation, with reported declines in racially diverse and LGBTQ+ roles. Major studios moved into faith-based entertainment. High-profile, expensive First Lady projects consumed large non-fiction budgets.
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