"So when you add this, subtract that, and carry the one... Well, you've been around the industry long enough to know how the numbers work, Mr. Cameron, and I'm sure you know where this is leading. Your little Avatar sequel made a decent showing, but just like last time, you owe us a dollar."

Mugato: So the point of TFA is you don't know and no one does.

More like they've settled into a game that everyone plays along with, where the studios inflate the costs of every production so they keep the majority of the profits, but it's all based on real enough numbers and expenses that they can defend it in court if necessary.

And TFA is right about the ancillary profits being a big deal for certain films. Disney instantly cancelled plans to crank out a new Star Wars movie every other month not just because Solo lost money, but because the new films weren't selling toys like they were supposed to. They barely even made any for Rise of Skywalker, because the manufacturers didn't want to lose on the deal. But then Baby Yoda came along, and all was right with the world again.