Mark Ruffalo has been speaking out against the proposed merger between Warner Bros. and Paramount, expressing concerns about media consolidation and its impact on editorial independence. The deal, valued at about $111 billion, is being challenged by a coalition of 12 state attorneys general led by California’s Rob Bonta, while the Writers Guild of America has filed a separate challenge. Ruffalo has been vocal in his opposition since early on, warning that such a merger could eliminate jobs for many professionals in the industry. California officials allege the combined company would control nearly one-third of theatrical motion pictures and basic cable programming in the United States. Paramount has disputed claims that the transaction would hurt competition.
Reports have surfaced that Bonta and Paramount are in advanced settlement talks, raising concerns among critics who fear a quick settlement. Ruffalo took to social media to tag Bonta and urge him not to accept any deal with the company. He reminded Bonta that many artists and industry workers have signed petitions opposing the merger and are counting on him to act in their interest. Ruffalo also encouraged his followers to sign a petition from No Paramount Concessions to show support for stopping the deal. The petition website said it had collected more than 77,000 signatures.
The actor is not alone in his criticism of the merger; Senator Elizabeth Warren has also voiced her concerns about the potential impact on media freedom. Warren has argued that the merger could concentrate more media power under one company and reduce competition for entertainment workers.
Paramount has been trying to meet with Bonta ahead of a two-day conference scheduled for October 14 and 15, 2026. The media company is pushing for a settlement before October 1, when additional costs tied to delays in completing the merger begin to accrue. Bonta reportedly canceled a meeting with Paramount after accusing the company of leaking sensitive information to reporters. Paramount has denied those allegations and continues to push for a resolution before the deadline. The October meetings are court-ordered settlement discussions and do not mean an agreement has been reached.
If no agreement is reached, the merger could face continued legal proceedings, with Paramount saying it will owe Warner Bros. Discovery shareholders about $7 million per day in contractual ticking fees beginning October 1. Ruffalo’s public statements have been part of a broader campaign to oppose the deal, including his criticism of tech giant Oracle’s involvement in backing the acquisition, according to a report from TheWrap. His comments sparked debate within the industry and led Paramount to call his remarks antisemitic, triggering a wave of responses from different groups. Ruffalo rejected that accusation and said his criticism was directed at corporate decisions and Israeli government policy rather than Jewish people. More than 170 Jewish artists and academics later signed a letter defending Ruffalo.
Ruffalo’s posts on social media urged Bonta to reject any settlement and stand firm in defending the public interest. He directed followers to a website where they can sign a petition opposing the merger and support the coalition’s efforts. The campaign has drawn over 77,000 signatures so far, according to the No Paramount Concessions website. Ruffalo also called on supporters in the Bay Area to demonstrate outside Bonta’s Oakland office.
Bonta’s office has said it is open to a settlement but has called for structural changes rather than relying only on company promises. Bonta has cited possible asset sales as the type of remedy he wants to see and has said Paramount’s promise to release 30 movies a year is not enough. Paramount argues that the merger would strengthen its ability to compete and says it has received regulatory clearances in 69 jurisdictions.
The merger is currently paused under an agreement that prevents the companies from combining until June 1, 2027, or until the court rules on the states’ claims. A trial is scheduled for March 2027. A settlement involving the parties challenging the merger could clear one of the final major legal obstacles to the transaction, but the terms would determine whether the deal could proceed.
IMAGE: American actor Mark Ruffalo. Photo: ke.higa / Wikimedia, taken 2007-09-30, CC BY 2.0