‘Wonder Woman’ Director Patty Jenkins Says Paramount-Warner Bros. Merger Is ‘Such Chaos’: ‘The Studio System Is in Bad Shape’

Patty Jenkins, Halle Berry, Regina King, Misty Copeland and others gathered at downtown Manhattan’s Locanda Verde on Tuesday morning for Tribeca and Chanel’s Through Her Lens luncheon. The timing was notable for an event centered on emerging filmmakers, coming just 24 hours after news that the Paramount-Warner Bros. deal is essentially complete — a consolidation that many in Hollywood fear could have profoundly negative effects on the industry.

“I didn’t even look at it, frankly. I’ve been tuning all of that out,” “Wonder Woman” director Patty Jenkins, who has a longstanding relationship with Warner Bros., tells Variety of the news. “It’s such chaos. I think the studio system is in such bad shape that I’m kind of tuning it out.”

Still, Jenkins remains optimistic about the industry’s future. Asked whether she would make a film with Warner Bros. under Ellison’s leadership, she says, “You never know.”

“I never say no to anything because so many people have different projects,” she continues. “Something may come along, and they’ve been making some great films, and who knows.”

Despite the turmoil within the studio system, Jenkins believes emerging filmmakers face fewer barriers than they did when she was starting out. She points to films like “Backrooms” and “Obsession” as encouraging proof that talented directors can make films on shoestring budgets — and find box office success.

“People are able to make their own films and it’s a game-changer,” she says. “I see it coming and I’m so excited about it — the democratization of being able to get your films to your audiences.”

Tribeca boss Jane Rosenthal, who co-founded Tribeca and Chanel’s Through Her Lens program 11 years ago, takes a somewhat different view, arguing that young filmmakers actually face more obstacles than when she started out. “The business is really kind of a mess,” she says, noting that streaming has contributed to an uptick in the number of films being made. Still, she adds, “Who knows what this merger is gonna do.”

One potential silver lining of the merger, according to Rosenthal, is that it could create an opening for new models of independent film distribution. “You see what AMC is doing, let’s see what that really means,” she says, referring to the indie distribution venture announced by the country’s largest theater chain last month.

That hopeful, solution-oriented attitude carried throughout the event, which kicked off this year’s Through Her Lens program. The initiative brings together five filmmaking teams for workshops, one-on-one mentorship and industry conversations before culminating in a live pitch to a jury. One team will receive full financing to produce its short film with support from Tribeca Studios, while the remaining four will receive development grants.

Berry, King and Meg Ryan were announced as this year’s jury members alongside cinematographer Autumn Durald Arkapaw (“Sinners”) and “Sterling Point” actress Ella Rubin.

Emmy Rossum, who attended Tuesday morning to support the initiative, says she “just wants the best people to tell stories” — and, she adds, “to be seen by lots of people in theaters and on streaming.”