Hollywood grows wary of Saudi deals after journalist's disappearance
November 15, 2018 – Media MentionA mere six months have passed since the entertainment industry opened its arms to Saudi Arabia’s crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman.
The royal heir apparent received the red-carpet treatment in April, meeting with studio chiefs and media tycoons, and dining with the likes of Rupert Murdoch, Brian Grazer and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.
Now, film industry figures are reevaluating their ties with the autocratic monarchy in the wake of the gruesome controversy, which blatantly contradicts the image of an increasingly modern and reformist Saudi Arabia.
“It's absolutely going to have a profound impact,” said Schuyler Moore, a prominent Los Angeles entertainment industry attorney at Greenberg Glusker. “There’s no question. Everyone was lined up on the tarmac to make films there and make financing deals. That party, overnight, is going to be over.”