Throughout the tumult, Ellison seemingly stuck by his mantra that superior storytelling is the way to drive long-term value. He flew to the home of one of Paramount’s top creators to discuss scripts and spinoff pacing in the spring, mid-Trump melt- down, two sources tell Variety.

Jeff Shell, George Cheeks, Cindy Holland, Josh Greenstein and Dana Goldberg will have some help when the Skydance deal closes.

Longtime Ellison lieutenant Dana Goldberg will run Paramount Pictures with former Sony executive, Josh Greenstein. Only one senior Paramount executive, George Cheeks, will remain after this week's Skydance takeover.