Mark Ruffalo Says Hollywood Stars Fear Speaking Out Against Paramount-Warner Bros. Merger

Actor Mark Ruffalo says many Hollywood stars were too afraid to publicly oppose the proposed merger between Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery.

In a New York Times opinion piece co-written with Matt Stoller of the American Economic Liberties Project, Ruffalo said several actors and filmmakers privately supported an open letter against the merger but refused to sign it because they feared professional backlash.

“The most revealing thing about that letter wasn’t the people who signed. It was the people who didn’t,” Ruffalo and Stoller wrote. “Not because they disagreed — because they were afraid.”

The open letter, launched in April, now has more than 4,000 signatures. Supporters include actors Florence Pugh, Pedro Pascal and Edward Norton, along with directors Sofia Coppola, Denis Villeneuve and Yorgos Lanthimos. According to the organizers, 75 Oscar winners have signed.

The letter argues that combining Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery would give too much power to one company and further reduce competition in the entertainment industry. Critics say the merger could lead to fewer jobs, fewer opportunities for filmmakers and less choice for audiences.

Ruffalo and Stoller also pointed to what they described as examples of retaliation tied to criticism of the merger. They said Paramount reportedly pulled advertising from entertainment outlet The Ankler after one of its editors was seen carrying “Block the Merger” buttons at an event.

They also claimed CNN canceled a planned discussion about the merger featuring Ruffalo because Warner Bros. Discovery owns the network. According to the op-ed, organizers were told the topic was “a delicate subject” while the merger review is ongoing.

The proposed deal still needs approval from regulators in the United States and Europe. It could also face legal challenges from state attorneys general.

In their conclusion, Ruffalo and Stoller said the growing opposition campaign shows that people in the entertainment industry can push back against powerful corporations if they act together.