Actor Blasts Paramount-Warner Bros. Merger After Judge Clears Deal

By Andrew Powell (/journals/andrew-powell)

Mark Ruffalo is criticizing the approval of Paramount Skydance's planned acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, calling the outcome disappointing after a federal judge cleared the deal to move forward. According to FOX Business, Ruffalo, one of the Hollywood figures who publicly opposed the merger, reacted on X after U.S. District Judge Araceli Martínez-Olguín approved a settlement resolving an antitrust lawsuit brought by California and 11 other states. The companies are expected to complete the transaction Oct. 6. "This merger will stifle creativity, weaken free speech, and cost people their jobs – it is a bad deal for this country and should never have been approved," Ruffalo wrote. He said the opposition effort was about more than the Paramount-Warner Bros. transaction itself and vowed that supporters of the campaign would continue pushing back against media consolidation. https://x.com/MarkRuffalo/status/2105442615046861042 The legal challenge had argued that combining the two major entertainment companies could reduce competition in film distribution and basic cable programming. The settlement reached between Paramount and the 12 states resolved those claims and was approved by the judge Wednesday. As part of the agreement, Paramount committed to releasing at least 30 films annually during each of the first two years after the merger, followed by at least 32 movies per year for the next three years. At least four releases each year must be independent films. The company also agreed to spend at least an additional $1.5 billion on U.S. film production over five years compared with its 2025 spending. The settlement includes a $47.5 million fund intended to assist workers affected by the merger. Ruffalo had previously urged California Attorney General Rob Bonta not to settle the state's case. After the settlement was announced Sept. 21, Ruffalo's criticism continued as the final court approval approached. Bonta's office said the agreement addressed the states' concerns involving competition, film production and workers. Bonta also emphasized that the settlement should not be viewed as an endorsement of the merger itself. The transaction is valued at about $110 billion when including debt and will combine Paramount's entertainment assets with Warner Bros. Discovery's properties. The resulting company will bring major film, television, streaming and news operations under the same corporate umbrella. Ruffalo has continued to argue that the merger could threaten creative opportunities, jobs and the diversity of voices in Hollywood. "This was never about just one merger," Ruffalo wrote. "We're still in that fight. Join us." Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery announced Sept. 30 that they expect the merger to close Oct. 6, subject to the remaining customary closing conditions.