Mark Ruffalo Leads Hollywood Push Against Paramount-Warner Merger Deal

Actor Mark Ruffalo is spearheading a vocal campaign urging California Attorney General Rob Bonta to reject a potential settlement that could facilitate Paramount and Skydance’s $111 billion takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery.

Ruffalo took to the social media platform X to warn Bonta against agreeing to terms, stating, “Don’t you dare @AGRobBonta, do not cave.” He indicated that thousands of filmmakers have publicly opposed the deal and that more than 75,000 individuals have signed a petition directed at state attorneys general.

He also encouraged supporters in the Bay Area to assemble outside Bonta’s Oakland office, citing reports that the AG was "about to cave" and imploring demonstrators to "reject this backroom deal."

The escalating pressure coincides with ongoing negotiations between Bonta, 11 other state attorneys general, and Paramount CEO David Ellison regarding an antitrust lawsuit aimed at blocking the merger. Reports suggest these discussions could lead to a settlement, potentially averting a trial scheduled for March 2027.

The Block the Merger Coalition has echoed Ruffalo’s concerns, arguing that a settlement based on promises rather than legally binding protections would be insufficient. "An agreement based only on unenforceable concessions is a win only for David Ellison. It is an L for everyone else," the coalition stated.

This coalition claims to have garnered support from industry figures and national leaders, including Senator Elizabeth Warren, and reiterates its demand for the settlement to be rejected and the merger blocked outright.

Conversely, some figures, such as former Los Angeles mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt, have criticized Ruffalo and the coalition. Pratt asserted on X that Ruffalo is disregarding "blue collar film workers" and prioritizing "petty politics" over the broader industry.

Paramount is operating under a deadline, with a $7 million-per-day "ticking fee" imposed if the deal is not finalized by September 30. The company has highlighted these mounting costs as a reason for an urgent resolution. Furthermore, Paramount has indicated a willingness to relocate its operations from California if the legal challenges persist, a move that economists estimate could result in the loss of up to 58,000 jobs in Los Angeles.