Joaquin Phoenix, Ben Stiller, Kristen Stewart, and more than 1,000 Hollywood creatives have signed an open letter urging regulators to block the proposed merger between Paramount, Skydance, and Warner Bros. Discovery, warning of serious risks to jobs, competition, and creative independence.
The letter states, “We are deeply concerned by indications of support for this merger that prioritise the interests of a small group of powerful stakeholders over the broader public good.
The integrity, independence, and diversity of our industry would be grievously compromised. Competition is essential for a healthy economy and a healthy democracy. So is thoughtful regulation and enforcement.”
The proposed $111 billion deal, led by David Ellison and David Zaslav, has sparked fears that consolidation will shrink opportunities across the industry.
Among those voicing concern is Damon Lindelof, who acknowledged his familiarity with Ellison, describing him as a “bright, ambitious and passionate” executive who “loved movies and trusted the people he made them with.”
Despite that, Lindelof said the broader impact on workers drove his decision: “It’s thousands and thousands of Grips and Gaffers.
Drivers and Decorators. Builders and Boom operators. Camera teams and Caterers. And they’re all about to get fucked. Hollywood mergers mean fewer movies and fewer TV shows, and that means fewer jobs.”
Joaquin Phoenix, Ben Stiller, Kristen Stewart, and more than 1,000 Hollywood creatives have signed an open letter urging regulators to block the proposed merger between Paramount, Skydance, and Warner Bros. Discovery, warning of serious risks to jobs, competition, and creative independence.
The letter states, “We are deeply concerned by indications of support for this merger that prioritise the interests of a small group of powerful stakeholders over the broader public good.
The integrity, independence, and diversity of our industry would be grievously compromised. Competition is essential for a healthy economy and a healthy democracy. So is thoughtful regulation and enforcement.”
The proposed $111 billion deal, led by David Ellison and David Zaslav, has sparked fears that consolidation will shrink opportunities across the industry.
Among those voicing concern is Damon Lindelof, who acknowledged his familiarity with Ellison, describing him as a “bright, ambitious and passionate” executive who “loved movies and trusted the people he made them with.”
Despite that, Lindelof said the broader impact on workers drove his decision: “It’s thousands and thousands of Grips and Gaffers.
Drivers and Decorators. Builders and Boom operators. Camera teams and Caterers. And they’re all about to get fucked. Hollywood mergers mean fewer movies and fewer TV shows, and that means fewer jobs.”
(OSG)
