Samantha Masunaga is an entertainment business reporter, with a focus on Hollywood studios and how the film business intersects with new industries. Since joining the Los Angeles Times in 2014, she has covered the aerospace industry, workplace culture and Southern California’s Japanese American community. Masunaga has previously worked for the Oregonian, the Orange County Register and the Rafu Shimpo, among other publications. A Southern California native, she is an alumna of the UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism and UCLA.
Latest From This Author
After a string of box office misses, Marvel is looking to ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ to bring an R-rated X-Men-powered refresh to the franchise.
July 26, 2024
Workers on the development team for hit video game ‘World of Warcraft’ have voted to unionize, marking the latest entrant in a wave of unionizing efforts in the video game industry.
July 24, 2024
George Clooney, Netflix co-founder Reed Hastings and other Hollywood heavyweights, who pressured President Biden to not seek reelection, have rallied behind the campaign of Vice President Kamala Harris.
July 24, 2024
Oracle Chief Executive Safra Catz will leave Disney’s board of directors after a six-year tenure, reducing the number of directors to 11.
July 19, 2024
David Ellison’s acquisition of Paramount Global is just the start of a long journey to turn around the media and entertainment stalwart.
July 8, 2024
The day after Paramount’s board approved a merger agreement with Skydance Media, tech scion David Ellison laid out his plans for the newly-combined company.
July 8, 2024
Tech scion David Ellison’s Skydance Media will gain control of Paramount, marking the end of the Redstone family’s reign over the storied studio.
July 7, 2024
Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment’s “Despicable Me 4” brought in $75 million in the U.S. and Canada this weekend, marking another strong weekend for family films.
July 7, 2024
Biden’s debate performance has Hollywood insiders wringing their hands about his presidential candidacy and what to do next.
July 5, 2024
Against all odds, the beloved Minions of the “Despicable Me” franchise evolved from a childhood staple to a favorite of online moms to a Gen Z icon.
July 3, 2024