Robert De Niro, Sofia Coppola and Holly Hunter have joined over 4,000 industry professionals in signing an open letter opposing Paramount’s proposed $111 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery.
The letter, organized through industry channels and reported by Variety, warns that the merger would further concentrate an already tight media landscape, limiting competition at a time when the industry and its audiences need more diversity, not less.
Signatories argue the deal would reduce creative opportunities, cut jobs across the production ecosystem, raise costs and narrow choice for audiences in the United States and globally.
Warner Bros. Discovery shareholders approved the takeover on Thursday morning US time, clearing a major internal hurdle for the $111 billion transaction.
Despite shareholder approval, the deal remains subject to regulatory review by U.S. And European authorities, with potential state-level antitrust lawsuits still possible.
If completed, the merger would reduce the number of major film studios from six to four, significantly altering the competitive structure of Hollywood.
The list of prominent signatories includes Florence Pugh, Pedro Pascal, Edward Norton, Joaquin Phoenix, Ben Stiller, Kristen Stewart, Bryan Cranston, David Fincher, Denis Villeneuve, Yorgos Lanthimos, J.J. Abrams, Jane Fonda, Glenn Close, Mark Ruffalo and Lin-Manuel Miranda.
Seventy-five Oscar winners and nominees are among the signatories, underscoring the breadth of concern across award-winning talent.
Why are industry veterans opposing this specific merger?
They argue the deal would worsen existing consolidation in media, reducing opportunities for creators and limiting audience choice at a time when the industry needs more diversity, not less.
What regulatory hurdles remain before the deal can close?
The acquisition requires approval from U.S. And European antitrust authorities, and state attorneys general could still file lawsuits to block the merger.
