David Zaslav Marks a Special Milestone for WBD at What Might Be Their Last Pre-Merger Oscars with Wins for ‘One Battle,’ ‘Sinners,’ and ‘Weapons’

David Zaslav, CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery, celebrated the studio’s remarkable success at the recent Academy Awards in a memo sent out to employees on Monday. The email, titled “Congratulations on an extraordinary night,” recognized Warner Bros. for its impressive performance at the Oscars, where it secured 11 awards, including Best Picture and Best Director.

Zaslav hailed the studio’s “monumental achievement” and highlighted its leadership in both writing categories and three out of the four acting categories, with accolades coming for films such as One Battle After Another, Sinners, and Weapons.

“The films honored last night represent the very best of our company: bold creative vision, extraordinary craftsmanship, and the kind of storytelling that moves audiences around the world,” Zaslav stated.

Zaslav attended the Oscars alongside Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group co-chairs Mike De Luca and Pam Abdy. The trio received notable acknowledgments during the ceremony, most prominently from Sinners winner Michael B. Jordan, who praised their commitment to original stories and diverse artistry.

Despite the celebratory atmosphere, the success came amid bittersweet circumstances. As Warner Bros. basked in its achievements, the historic studio remains on the auction block, shifting from Netflix to Paramount as the highest bidder last month.

This sale has ignited division within Hollywood. Celebrated actress Jane Fonda, who has ties to the original Turner Broadcasting System, was seen wearing a “Block the Merger” pin at the Vanity Fair party on Sunday night.

Paramount CEO David Ellison anticipates the acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery to be finalized in the third quarter of 2026, coinciding with the start of the next Oscar season. This timeline may render the recent accolades the last for Warner Bros. Discovery in its current form at the Academy Awards.

Zaslav’s full memo is as follows:

Team,
Last night was a remarkable moment for Warner Bros. Discovery. Our films won 11 Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Director, the most of any media company this year.
We have so much to celebrate today.
The films honored last night represent the very best of our company: bold creative vision, extraordinary craftsmanship, and the kind of storytelling that moves audiences around the world. Seeing our films and our artists recognized at the highest level is incredibly meaningful, and I could not be prouder of the work that brought us here.
Let me start by congratulating Mike De Luca, Pam Abdy, and the entire Warner Bros. Pictures team. Their commitment to filmmakers and to championing bold, original stories shined bright last night.
One Battle After Another had an extraordinary night, taking home the Academy Award for Best Picture, along with wins for Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay for Paul Thomas Anderson, Best Supporting Actor for Sean Penn, Best Film Editing for Andy Jurgensen, and Best Casting for Cassandra Kulukundis. Congratulations to Paul, Sean, Andy, Cassandra and the entire creative team behind One Battle After Another. It is a triumph of filmmaking and collaboration.
Sinners delivered a historic night for Warner Bros. Discovery, with Ryan Coogler winning the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay, Michael B. Jordan earning the Oscar for Best Actor in a Leading Role, Ludwig Göransson winning for Best Original Score, and Autumn Durald Arkapaw becoming the first woman ever to win the Academy Award for Best Cinematography. Congratulations to Ryan, Michael, Ludwig, Autumn, and the entire Sinners team. This film captivated audiences and critics alike, and the recognition it received is a testament to every person who helped make it possible.
Weapons also received well-deserved recognition, with Amy Madigan’s unforgettable and phenomenally haunting performance earning the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. Her work is a reminder of the impact a single role can have on audiences everywhere. Congratulations to the entire creative team behind the film.
What we saw recognized last night is a reminder that this team is truly like no other. These wins belong not only to the nominees and filmmakers we saw on stage, but to every single person across this company who helped bring these films to audiences. Everyone here plays their part. Every contribution matters, and every one of you should feel proud of what you helped create.
Please join me in celebrating this monumental achievement.
With gratitude,

David