Hollywood stars unite to stop Paramount and Warner Bros Discovery merger
Stars against Paramount and Warner Bros. merger (collage: RBC-Ukraine)
A group of well-known actors and directors has spoken out against the merger of major film companies Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery, emphasizing the risks for the industry and creative professions. Among them are Alyssa Milano, Kristen Stewart, and Ben Stiller, according to BBC.
Why stars oppose the Paramount–Warner Bros. deal
In a letter, actors, directors, and film industry workers state that the merger will reduce competition and opportunities for creative professionals.
“This transaction would further consolidate an already concentrated media landscape, reducing competition at a moment when our industries—and the audiences we serve—can least afford it,” the letter says.
In their view, this will lead to job cuts, financial changes, and fewer choices for viewers in the U.S. and globally.
More than 1,400 people signed the letter, including Alyssa Milano, David Fincher, Cynthia Nixon, Jane Fonda, Elliot Page, Mark Ruffalo, Ben Stiller, Kristen Stewart, Emma Thompson, Javier Bardem, Pedro Pascal, and others.
At the end of the letter, the stars appeal to Rob Bonta and other regulators to block the deal.
“I refuse to stay silent as big media corporations seek to hurt our industry and consumers,” Milano wrote on Threads.
What is known about the merger
Earlier this February, Netflix declined to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery. Paramount Skydance offered a higher amount, reaching $111 billion.
WB includes projects such as Harry Potter, Friends, and HBO hits like Game of Thrones, Euphoria, The Pitt, as well as CNN.
The CEO of Paramount Skydance is film producer David Ellison, the son of tech billionaire Larry Ellison.
He previously stated that he plans to keep Paramount and Warner Bros. as independent studios and increase production output.
In response to concerns about the future, the company also assured that creators will have more opportunities to realize their projects.
