Florence Pugh and Emma Thompson join fight against ‘deeply concerning’ Paramount-Warner Bros merger

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Florence Pugh, Emma Thompson, Pedro Pascal, and Edward Norton have recently spoken out against the planned combination of Paramount and Warner Bros. The merger was revealed in February, with Paramount Skydance winning the bid to buy Warner Bros., beating out Netflix in the process.

A letter signed by over 1,000 people working in film and television was released this week, voicing strong opposition to a proposed deal. The letter argues that the deal would limit competition at a time when both the industry and viewers need more choices, not fewer.

In a recently published open letter, the authors express strong concerns that support for this merger prioritizes the benefits for a few powerful individuals instead of what’s best for the public. They believe the merger would seriously harm the industry’s fairness, independence, and variety.

As a gamer, I think competition is super important – it makes things better for everyone, not just in games, but in the real world too. We need rules and someone to make sure everyone plays fair. Lately, I’ve noticed how a few big companies are controlling more and more of the media, and honestly, it worries me. Media shapes what we see and how we connect with each other, and when it’s all owned by just a few, it feels like something important is being lost.

Thankfully, action is being taken to address this situation. California Attorney General Rob Bonta and other state attorneys general are looking closely at the merger and considering legal steps to prevent it. We appreciate their leadership and will fully support any efforts to maintain competition, safeguard jobs, and secure a strong future for our industry, American arts and entertainment, and our country’s biggest export.

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So, Paramount actually responded to all the fan upset, and they said they get where we’re coming from! They basically promised that this deal will mean more projects actually get made, which is what we all want to hear. It’s good they acknowledged our concerns, honestly.

We’ve consistently stated our goals: to produce at least 30 high-quality movies for theatrical release each year, keep licensing our content, and maintain our well-known brands while giving creative teams the freedom to do their best work – ultimately providing more opportunities for creators, not less.

We know the pandemic, the rise of large tech companies, and shifting consumer habits have created challenges for our industry. However, we want to assure you that Paramount is still dedicated to supporting talented individuals. This merger will give consumers more options, encourage competition, and ultimately create more opportunities for creators, viewers, and the communities around them.

Joaquin Phoenix, Kristen Stewart, Ben Stiller, Lily Gladstone, Kristin Scott Thomas, Alan Cumming, Bryan Cranston, and Mark Ruffalo are among the other prominent names who have also signed the letter protesting the deal.

The latest issue of Living Legends, a beautifully illustrated 100-page tribute to Sir David Attenborough, is now available! You can purchase it at newsstands or online.

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2026-04-15 13:49