The Paramount and Warner Bros. merger is officially moving forward, with the deal tentatively set to close next week. This development follows news on Wednesday that the merger received approval, a decision that has sparked significant backlash from those who have been fighting to keep the companies separate.
Mark Ruffalo has been one of the most vocal critics of this consolidation, and he wasted no time expressing his frustration regarding the latest update. In a statement posted to Threads on Wednesday, as reported by Variety, he did not hold back his feelings about the long-term consequences of this union. “This merger will stifle creativity, weaken free speech, and cost people their jobs — it is a bad deal for this country and should never have been approved,” Ruffalo wrote.
When large entities combine, the focus often shifts away from artistic freedom and toward protecting the bottom line. Ruffalo emphasized that this is a setback for the collective efforts of many who have been pushing for a different outcome. “This is an incredibly disappointing outcome for the hundreds of thousands of us who stood up to block it, but it’s also not the end. This grassroots movement isn’t going to fade away and neither is our resolve,” he added.
Ruffalo clearly views this as a major step in the wrong direction for the industry
Ruffalo is framing this as a broader struggle that goes beyond the specifics of these two media giants. He believes the situation highlights a recurring problem where the priorities of wealthy individuals clash with the needs of the general public. “This was never about just one merger: this was about fighting back against corrupt oligarch billionaires trampling the interests of everyday people to line their own pockets. We’re still in that fight. Join us,” he stated.
His opposition to the deal has been consistent throughout the process. Earlier this month, he targeted California Attorney General Rob Bonta, urging him and a coalition of 11 other state attorneys general to maintain their legal challenge against the merger. The goal of that lawsuit was to stop the acquisition by David Ellison, which would have effectively kept him from acquiring Warner Bros. Discovery.
In a post on X, Ruffalo made a direct plea to Bonta to stand his ground. “Don’t you dare, [Rob Bonta], do not cave,” he wrote. He highlighted the sheer scale of the grassroots pushback, noting that thousands of industry professionals and supporters had voiced their concerns.
“5,670 filmmakers put their necks on the line for you to fight this merger. Another 75,000+ and counting have signed to tell you not to concede in just 3 weeks. You work for the people — the very people who will be hurt if you let this lousy deal filled with empty promises go forward. Please sign to send a message to the AGs and Paramount. Reject the deal. The people don’t want it!”
Published: Oct 2, 2026 12:24 pm