Skydance Media
David Ellison stood at the helm of a new venture on the 4th of April 2006. He was the son of Larry Ellison, the co-founder and then-CEO of Oracle Corporation. The company took its name from skydancing, a type of aviation aerobatics that David practiced as a pilot. Their first film project arrived later that year with Flyboys. This movie starred David Ellison himself and received co-financing from Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. The firm operated out of Santa Monica, California during these initial years.
The fall of 2009 marked a turning point when Skydance signed a five-year partnership with Paramount Pictures. This agreement allowed them to co-produce and co-finance films together while Paramount held distribution options. Dana Goldberg joined the team before August 2010 to oversee development and production as chief creative officer. By August 2010, the company raised $350 million in equity and credit following an investment by Larry Ellison. That same month, they renewed their slate deal with Paramount for four additional years extending through 2021. Later in 2015, Skydance secured another $700 million financing package including $200 million in equity and a $500 million line of credit from J.P. Morgan Chase.
the 1st of May 2013 saw the launch of Skydance Television under division president Marcy Ross. Jesse Sisgold joined later that year as President of Business Affairs & Strategic Planning before becoming chief operating officer. the 16th of March 2017 brought the creation of Skydance Animation through a multi-year partnership with Madrid-based Ilion Animation Studios. The company launched Skydance Interactive on the 3rd of May 2016 after acquiring The Workshop Entertainment. They announced Archangel, a story-driven virtual reality game, in January 2017. the 20th of October 2021 introduced Skydance Sports led by Jon Weinbach to produce sports-themed content. A production label named Uncharted emerged in December 2016 to house non-action genres.
January 2024 revealed David Ellison's interest in buying National Amusements from Shari Redstone. Exclusive talks between Skydance and Paramount expired without a deal initially. An independent committee representing Paramount recommended a revised offer where Skydance would purchase National Amusements for $2 billion. June 2024 confirmed that Skydance and Paramount agreed to terms awaiting approval from National Amusements. the 7th of July 2024 marked Ellison's official announcement of an intent to take over Paramount Global in an $8 billion deal. The FCC approved the acquisition on the 24th of July 2025. The merger closed on the 7th of August 2025 forming Paramount Skydance. David Ellison now serves as founder, owner, chairman and CEO of the combined entity.
Flyboys released on the 22nd of September 2006 kicked off their feature film history. True Grit arrived on the 22nd of December 2010 followed by Mission: Impossible , Ghost Protocol on the 16th of December 2011. Jack Reacher opened on the 21st of December 2012 while Star Trek Into Darkness hit theaters the 15th of May 2013. World War Z premiered the 28th of March 2013 and Terminator Genisys reached audiences the 1st of July 2015. Mission: Impossible , Rogue Nation came out the 31st of July 2015 under the new Skydance name. Top Gun: Maverick launched the 27th of May 2022 becoming a massive commercial success. Mission: Impossible , Dead Reckoning Part One appeared the 12th of July 2023 with Mission: Impossible , The Final Reckening scheduled for the 23rd of May 2025. Their library includes films distributed across Netflix, Amazon Studios, Apple TV+, and traditional theatrical releases through Paramount Pictures.
Manhattan became Skydance Television's first show launching on WGN America in July 2014. Grace and Frankie ran from the 8th of May 2015 to the 29th of April 2022 on Netflix. Altered Carbon aired the 2nd of February 2018 through the 27th of February 2020 also on Netflix. Dietland broadcast the 4th of June 2018 on AMC while Condor ran the 6th of June 2018 to the 4th of August 2020 on Epix. Jack Ryan premiered the 31st of August 2018 and concluded the 14th of July 2023 on Amazon Prime Video. FUBAR starring Arnold Schwarzenegger released the 25th of May 2023 on Netflix. Cross began the 14th of November 2024 on Amazon Prime Video. WondLa started the 28th of June 2024 on Apple TV+ under the Skydance Animation label. The division merged with Showtime/MTV Entertainment Studios into Paramount Television Studios on the 7th of August 2025 transferring its production state.
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Common questions
When was Skydance Media founded and by whom?
Skydance Media was founded on the 4th of April 2006 by David Ellison. He is the son of Larry Ellison, the co-founder and then-CEO of Oracle Corporation.
What major acquisition did Skydance complete in 2025?
The FCC approved the acquisition of Paramount Global on the 24th of July 2025 for $8 billion. The merger officially closed on the 7th of August 2025 forming Paramount Skydance with David Ellison as chairman and CEO.
Which films were released under the Skydance name after 2013?
Mission: Impossible Rogue Nation came out the 31st of July 2015 under the new Skydance name. Top Gun Maverick launched the 27th of May 2022 becoming a massive commercial success while Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning Part One appeared the 12th of July 2023.
How many divisions does Skydance operate including television and animation?
Skydance operates multiple divisions including Skydance Television launched on the 1st of May 2013 and Skydance Animation created on the 16th of March 2017. They also run Skydance Interactive established on the 3rd of May 2016 and Skydance Sports introduced on the 20th of October 2021.
What partnerships did Skydance sign with major studios in 2009 and 2010?
The fall of 2009 marked a turning point when Skydance signed a five-year partnership with Paramount Pictures. By August 2010 the company raised $350 million following an investment by Larry Ellison and renewed their slate deal with Paramount for four additional years extending through 2021.