More than 1,000 prominent figures from the film and television industries, including acclaimed stars such as Joaquin Phoenix, Ben Stiller, and Kristen Stewart, have publicly voiced strong opposition to the proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery by Paramount Skydance. This widespread condemnation comes in the form of an open letter, published on Monday by the New York Times and hosted on BlocktheMerger.com, which expresses deep concern that the merger would prioritize the interests of a select group of powerful stakeholders over the broader public good.

The open letter states unequivocally that the “integrity, independence, and diversity of our industry would be grievously compromised” by the transaction. It emphasizes that competition is a fundamental pillar for both a healthy economy and a robust democracy, underscoring the critical need for thoughtful regulation and enforcement in the media landscape. The planned $111 billion acquisition by David Ellison-led Paramount Skydance of David Zaslav-led Warner Bros. Discovery was first announced in late February, following a competitive bid that reportedly included Netflix.

The list of signatories on the open letter is extensive, exceeding 1,034 individuals at the time of publication, and features a diverse array of talent. Notable names include Adam McKay, Alan Cumming, Alyssa Milano, Boots Riley, Bryan Cranston, Cynthia Nixon, Damon Lindelof, David Fincher, Denis Villeneuve, Elliot Page, Glenn Close, Jane Fonda, JJ Abrams, Jason Bateman, John Leguizamo, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Margaret Cho, Mark Ruffalo, Noah Wyle, Patti Lupone, Ramy Youssef, Rosario Dawson, Rose O’Donnell, Ted Danson, Tiffany Haddish, Tig Notaro, Yorgos Lanthimos, and Yvette Nicole Brown. Representatives for Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery did not provide immediate comments regarding the letter.

Damon Lindelof, the creator of "Watchmen" and currently under an overall deal with Warner Bros. Discovery's HBO, offered a personal insight into his decision to sign the letter via an Instagram post. Despite acknowledging his potential new boss, David Ellison, as a "bright, ambitious and passionate" executive who appreciates filmmakers, Lindelof chose to sign due to concerns for Hollywood's "blue-collar town" makeup. He highlighted the tens of thousands of grips, gaffers, drivers, decorators, builders, boom operators, camera teams, and caterers, asserting that they are "all about to get fucked" by such mergers.

Lindelof elaborated on the broader implications, stating that "Hollywood mergers mean fewer movies and fewer TV shows and that means fewer jobs." He used a stark analogy: "When two storied backlots are owned by the same company, the outcome is intuitive —one becomes a Ghost Town." Expressing his fear but resolute in his action, he concluded that "a fight is already lost if it’s never fought." His stance reflects the sentiment that many peers, despite potential apprehension about retaliation, resonate with, even if they haven't publicly signed.

The open letter further articulated that the transaction would accelerate consolidation in an already concentrated media landscape, diminishing competition when the industry and its audiences are most vulnerable. This consolidation would result in fewer opportunities for creators, a reduction in jobs across the entire production ecosystem, increased costs, and ultimately, less choice for audiences globally. Alarmingly, the merger would reduce the number of major U.S. film studios to just four, a significant decrease in an industry already struggling from prior consolidation waves.

The signatories pointed to previous consolidations that have led to a steep decline in the number of films produced and released, along with a narrowing of the types of stories that receive financing and distribution. This trend has allowed a small number of powerful entities to dictate what gets made and under what terms, leaving creators and independent businesses with fewer viable avenues to sustain their work. The negative consequences include the disappearance of mid-budget films, the erosion of independent distribution, the collapse of the international sales market, the elimination of meaningful profit participation, and the weakening of screen credit integrity.

These combined factors pose a significant threat to the sustainability of the entire creative community, including the professional lives of tens of thousands of workers employed in predominantly small businesses and independent companies embedded in local economies nationwide. The letter concluded by acknowledging that California Attorney General Rob Bonta and his counterparts in other states are reportedly scrutinizing the merger and considering legal action to block it. The signatories expressed gratitude for their leadership and pledged support for all efforts to preserve competition, protect jobs, and ensure a vibrant future for the industry, American culture, and its most significant export.