Paramount CEO's Threat to Leave California Called 'Crazy' by AG
California Attorney General Rob Bonta believes Paramount CEO David Ellison is 'acting a little crazy' amid renewed threats to move the Hollywood studio out of the state during ongoing antitrust disputes.
Paramount CEO David Ellison reportedly delivered a threat to California Attorney General Rob Bonta and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass that the studio was prepared to announce its departure from California. The move, if enacted, would carry significant economic repercussions for the state.
According to sources, Ellison, CEO of Skydance, indicated that an announcement regarding Paramount's exit from California was imminent, regardless of any settlement in the ongoing antitrust case. While Mayor Bass and Governor Gavin Newsom are reportedly taking the threat seriously, Attorney General Bonta believes he has a strong antitrust case and is willing to proceed to trial, suggesting he views Ellison's actions as erratic.
Paramount has not commented on the reports. The studio's potential departure comes as settlement talks between Paramount and Bonta's office are scheduled for October 14 and 15. TMZ initially reported Paramount's intention to leave, but later revised its story to state that negotiations were still ongoing. This adds complexity to the situation, as a court-supervised settlement conference is already slated.
A source close to the situation suggested that Ellison, accustomed to getting his way, might be making the threat out of anger and frustration, intending to