Hollywood
Over 1,000 Hollywood stars, filmmakers oppose Warner Bros-Paramount merger
Open letter warns deal could cut jobs, competition and creative diversity
CALIFORNIA: More than 1,000 filmmakers, actors and industry professionals have come together to oppose the proposed $110 billion merger between Warner Bros Discovery and Paramount, warning that the deal could significantly reshape the US media landscape by reducing competition and limiting creative opportunities.
In an open letter released on Monday, signatories including Jane Fonda, Joaquin Phoenix and Mark Ruffalo voiced strong concerns over what they described as an accelerating trend of consolidation in Hollywood.
The proposed merger, which also involves Skydance Media, would combine two of the industry’s largest studios and content libraries, while integrating streaming platforms HBO Max and Paramount+ into a single service.
The letter argues that such consolidation would lead to fewer jobs across the production ecosystem, higher costs for consumers and a narrower range of stories being financed and distributed. It also warns that the number of major US film studios could shrink to just four if the deal goes through.
“As filmmakers, documentarians, and professionals across the movie and television industry, we write to express our unequivocal opposition to the proposed Paramount-Warner Bros Discovery merger,” the letter states. “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 signatories also highlighted the long-term effects of previous mergers, noting a decline in mid-budget films, reduced independent distribution and diminishing opportunities for emerging creators. They argued that a handful of powerful entities increasingly determine what content gets made and how it reaches audiences.
The letter further raised concerns about the broader economic impact, pointing to potential job losses and the strain on smaller production companies and local creative ecosystems that rely on a diverse and competitive marketplace.
Regulatory scrutiny is already underway. Rob Bonta and other state officials are reportedly examining the deal and considering legal action to block it. The letter’s authors expressed support for these efforts, emphasising the importance of maintaining competition in both economic and cultural terms.
Notably, the list of signatories spans a wide cross-section of Hollywood, including directors such as David Fincher and Denis Villeneuve, as well as actors and creators like Emma Thompson and Lin-Manuel Miranda, reflecting broad industry concern over the deal’s implications.
As the battle over consolidation intensifies, the message from Hollywood’s creative community is clear. Bigger is not always better, especially when it risks shrinking the very ecosystem that fuels storytelling.
Hollywood
Disney chair confident CEO Josh D’Amaro will ‘rise to the occasion’ in Trump–Kimmel row
Board backs new chief as ABC controversy tests leadership early on
NEW YORK: The Walt Disney Company has placed the responsibility of handling the escalating dispute between Donald Trump and late-night host Jimmy Kimmel squarely on its new chief executive, Josh D’Amaro.
Speaking at a business conference in Oslo, Disney chair James Gorman said it would be up to the CEO and his team to determine the company’s response to the controversy surrounding Jimmy Kimmel Live!. He noted that such challenges are not uncommon for large corporations and require careful handling at the leadership level.
The row intensified after both Donald Trump and Melania Trump publicly called for Kimmel’s dismissal following remarks made on his show. The comments, which referenced the First Lady, sparked backlash in the days leading up to a security incident at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.
Kimmel addressed the issue on-air, clarifying that his joke was intended as a reference to the couple’s age difference and not an incitement to violence. He also expressed sympathy for those affected by the incident and reiterated his stance against violent rhetoric.
Despite mounting pressure, Gorman refrained from offering specific guidance on the future of the show or the host. Instead, he voiced confidence in D’Amaro’s leadership, describing him as “world class” and capable of navigating the situation effectively.
The episode presents an early and high-profile test for D’Amaro, who stepped into the top role just last month. How Disney balances editorial independence, public sentiment and political pressure will likely shape not just the outcome of this controversy, but also the tone of its leadership in the months ahead.
