Hollywood heavyweights voice 'unequivocal opposition' to
Paramount-Warner merger in open letter
[April 14, 2026] By
JAKE COYLE
NEW YORK (AP) — More than a thousand movie stars, writers, directors and
other Hollywood professionals announced their “unequivocal opposition”
to the proposed Paramount merger with Warner Bros. Discovery in an open
letter published Monday.
A large swath of the movie industry, including Denis Villeneuve, Kristen
Stewart, J.J. Abrams and Joaquin Phoenix came out forcefully against the
$111 billion deal that would consolidate two legacy studios into one,
arguing that it further reduce jobs and movies in an already downsized
Hollywood.
“The result will be fewer opportunities for creators, fewer jobs across
the production ecosystem, higher costs, and less choice for audiences in
the United States and around the world,” reads the letter, posted on
BlocktheMerger.com. “Alarmingly, this merger would reduce the number of
major U.S. film studios to just four.”
In late February, David Ellison's Paramount Skydance reached a deal to
acquire Warner Bros. Discovery in one of the largest media mergers ever.
The deal awaits a shareholder vote later this month and government
regulatory approval. Paramount's victory came after months of
negotiations and a rival bid by Netflix that ultimately fell short.
The deal was only the latest massive merger to rock Hollywood. In 2019,
20th Century Fox was acquired by The Walt Disney Co. for $71.3 billion.
Ellison, chief executive of Paramount Skydance, has pledged to keep
Paramount and Warner Bros. as stand-alone movie studio operations, and
vowed to release a combined 30 movies a year in theaters. Paramount has
acknowledged the merger will also lead to significant cuts due to
duplication.
In response to the open letter, Paramount issued a statement Monday
arguing that the merger will give creators “more avenues for their work,
not fewer.”
“This transaction uniquely brings together complementary strengths to
create a company that can greenlight more projects, back bold ideas,
support talent across multiple stages of their careers, and bring
stories to audiences at a truly global scale,” the studio said.
[to top of second column] |
The Paramount Pictures water tower is seen in Los Angeles, Dec. 18,
2025, with the Hollywood sign in the distance. (AP Photo/Jae C.
Hong, File)
 But many in the film industry
believe a merger will mean extensive job losses and a consolidation
of power.
“We are deeply concerned by indications of support for this merger
that prioritize the interests of a small group of powerful
stakeholders over the broader public good,” read the letter. “The
integrity, independence, and diversity of our industry would be
grievously compromised.”
A coalition of advocacy groups organized the letter, including the
Committee for the First Amendment — a free speech group led by Jane
Fonda — as well as the Democracy Defenders Fund and the Future Film
Coalition. Other signatories include: Ben Stiller, Don Cheadle,
Javier Bardem, Lily Gladstone, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Tiffany Haddish
and Ted Danson.
On Monday, one signee, Damon Lindelof, detailed his decision on
Instagram. Lindelof, the creator of “Watchmen” and the co-creator of
“Lost,” has an overall deal with Warner Bros. Discovery.
“Hollywood mergers mean fewer movies and fewer TV shows and that
means fewer jobs,” wrote Lindelof. “When two storied backlots are
owned by the same company, the outcome is intuitive — one becomes a
Ghost Town. I’m scared. But I’m not a ghost. And a fight is already
lost if it’s never fought.”
Representatives for Warner Bros. didn’t immediately respond to a
request for comment on the letter.
All contents © copyright 2026 Associated Press. All rights reserved
 |
