In a lively opening monologue at the 71st Motion Picture Sound Editors Golden Reel Awards, comedian Patton Oswalt didn't hold back as he took a shot at Warner Bros. Discovery chief David Zaslav and playfully highlighted the challenges faced by Hollywood in 2023.

Oswalt, who hosted the event for the second consecutive year, started by acknowledging the labor stoppages experienced by the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA). With a self-deprecating tone, Oswalt remarked, "What better choice to entertain a room full of postproduction workers than a guy who is in both SAG and the WGA? That's right. I'm the asshole that forced you to take out a second mortgage on your home."

Despite the difficulties of the past year, Oswalt praised the dedication and talent of the postproduction workers. He also made a tongue-in-cheek comment about movies being locked away for tax breaks, amusing the audience with his sly humor.

Notably, Oswalt specifically called out David Zaslav, whose company, Warner Bros. Discovery, has recently cancelled several completed films, including Batgirl and Scoob! Holiday Haunt in 2022 and Coyote vs. Acme in the previous year. Oswalt jokingly hailed the industry's revival and quipped, "I hear that David Zaslav just gave a three-picture deal to H&R Block. Vive la cinéma!"

Oswalt's reference to H&R Block stems from Warner Bros. Discovery's recent earnings filing, where they disclosed a $115 million tax write-off from abandoning unspecified films during the third quarter of 2023. This news has fueled speculation that Coyote vs. Acme will never see the light of day, despite the company's attempt to market it to potential distributors.

Earlier reports from The Hollywood Reporter indicated that Zaslav made the decision to shelve Batgirl in order to take a write-down on the film, opting to prioritize larger theatrical releases. The move was in line with the company's strategy to focus on major cinematic moments.

Patton Oswalt's roasting of David Zaslav and lighthearted commentary about Hollywood's recent challenges brought both laughter and reflection to the attendees of the MPSE Awards. Nonetheless, it remains to be seen how Warner Bros. Discovery will navigate the aftermath of scrapped films and the industry's evolving landscape.