Hollywood Unites Against Paramount-Warner Merger; Thousands Of Artists Including Kristen Stewart, Mark Ruffalo Write Letter

The

proposed merger between Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery has triggered a massive backlash from Hollywood’s biggest names. Over 1,000 artists, filmmakers, and industry professionals, including Kristen Stewart, Mark Ruffalo, Joaquin Phoenix, and Ben Stiller, have signed an open letter opposing the $111 billion deal. The letter voices serious concerns about the future of the entertainment industry, warning that such consolidation could harm creativity, jobs, and audience choice at a time when the industry is already under pressure.

Hollywood artists write an open letter

In the strongly worded letter published in The New York Times, the signatories did not hold back in expressing their fears. “We are deeply concerned by indications of support for this merger that prioritise the interests of a small group of powerful stakeholders over the broader public good,” the letter states. The artists argue that the deal would further concentrate power in an already shrinking media landscape, putting the industry’s “integrity, independence, and diversity” at significant risk.“Competition is essential for a healthy economy and a healthy democracy,” the letter adds, stating that thoughtful regulation is equally critical. The signatories warn that reduced competition would lead to “fewer opportunities for creators, fewer jobs across the production ecosystem, higher costs, and less choice for audiences.”

Beyond immediate concerns, the letter paints a broader picture of an industry already struggling under previous waves of consolidation. According to the signatories, there has been “a steep decline in the number of films produced and released,” along with “a narrowing of the kinds of stories that are financed and distributed.” They carefully paint a picture that shows how a small group of powerful entities increasingly determines what content gets made, often sidelining independent voices and mid-budget projects.

Mid-budget films in jeopardy

The letter also points to long-term structural damage, noting that media consolidation has contributed to “the disappearance of the mid-budget film, the erosion of independent distribution, the collapse of the international sales market,” and even “the weakening of screen credit integrity.” These shifts, they argue, threaten artists as well as the broader ecosystem of workers and small businesses that support the industry.Importantly, the signatories have also rallied behind ongoing scrutiny of the deal. They expressed gratitude toward Rob Bonta and other state officials reportedly examining the merger, stating they are “ready to support all efforts to preserve competition, protect jobs, and ensure a vibrant future for our industry.”The opposition comes after David Ellison’s Paramount Skydance announced plans to acquire David Zaslav-led Warner Bros. Discovery, following a reported bidding battle with Netflix. It was revealed that Paramount has gained significant financial support from Middle Eastern sovereign wealth funds for its acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. If completed, the merger would reduce the number of major U.S. film studios to just four, a statistic that has alarmed many within the creative community. With high-profile names like David Fincher, Denis Villeneuve, and Lin-Manuel Miranda among the signatories, the message from Hollywood is clear - no merger to save creative liberty.