More than 1,000 filmmakers, actors, and entertainment professionals have signed an open letter opposing the proposed $110 billion merger between Warner Bros. Discovery and Paramount Skydance.
Prominent figures such as Jane Fonda, Joaquin Phoenix, and Mark Ruffalo are among those cautioning that the merger could significantly reduce competition and deepen consolidation across the U.S. media industry.
In the letter, the signatories argue that combining the companies would likely shrink opportunities for creators, trigger job losses throughout the production landscape, and drive up costs for audiences, who may face fewer and less diverse content options.
The backlash comes during a period of major change for both studios. If approved, the deal would bring together two of Hollywood’s most extensive content libraries and merge the streaming platforms Paramount+ and HBO Max into a single dominant service.
However, the letter reflects broader concerns that previous waves of industry consolidation have already reduced film output and narrowed the range of stories being funded. While the opposition highlights growing unease within the industry, analysts note that the final decision will depend on regulators, who are increasingly scrutinizing large-scale mergers for anti-competitive risks.
Regulatory pressure is already mounting. Rob Bonta has indicated that his office will closely examine the deal, and authorities in both the United States and Europe are expected to assess its potential effects on consumers and the creative sector.
As Hollywood continues to recover from recent labor disputes and adapt to shifts in the streaming economy, the possibility of further consolidation among major studios has made this proposed merger a key battleground for the future of the entertainment industry.
