An open letter signed by hundreds of Hollywood heavyweights was published Monday by Warner Bros. against the deal that would have seen the historic studio gobbled up by rival Paramount.Including actors Joaquin PhoenixBen Stiller, Kristen Stewart, Adam McKay, Alan Cumming, Alyssa Milano, Boots Riley, Bryan CranstonCynthia Nixon, Damon Lindelof, David Fincher, Denis VilleneuveElliot Page, Glenn Close, Jane FondaJJ Abrams, Jason Bateman, John Leguizamo, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Margaret Cho, Mark Ruffalo, Noah Wyle, Patti Lupone, Ramy Youssef, Rosario Dawson, Rose O’Donnell, Ted Danson, Tiffany Haddish, Tig Notaro, Yorgos Lanthimos and Yvette Nicole Brown are more than protesting. A mega-merger between two famous Hollywood studios.“This transaction would further consolidate an already concentrated media landscape, reducing competition at a time when our industries and the audiences we serve can at least afford it,” the petition said.“As a result, there will be fewer opportunities for creators, fewer jobs in the production ecosystem, higher costs and fewer opportunities for audiences in the United States and around the world.”David Ellison-led Paramount Skydance said in February that Warner Bros. Home of the “Harry Potter,” “The Lord of the Rings” and “Game of Thrones” franchises.The offer outbid industry-starting Netflix, which Hollywood insiders considered the worst of the two options.People in Tinseltown fear that the consolidation of the two studios will inevitably lead to cutbacks, especially with reports of a huge price to finance, meaning the new owners will have to save.The cuts will cut jobs not only for the creators who power America’s film industry, but also for tens of thousands of people who work under the border: makeup artists, set designers, limousines, food truck owners and florists around Los Angeles.“Alarmingly, this merger would reduce the number of major US film studios to four,” the letter said.“Our industry is already under great strain, in large part due to the previous wave of consolidation. We have seen a huge decline in the number of films produced and released.“Competition is essential to a healthy economy and a healthy democracy. So is strict regulation and enforcement. Media consolidation has already undermined one of America’s most important global industries — one that has long shaped culture and connected people around the world.”Paramount Skydance, whose bid is understood to be accepted by US President Donald Trump, has pledged to continue its movie premieres at a regular clip.“We have been clear about our commitment to (increase) production of at least 30 high-quality feature films with theatrical releases every year,” the company said on Monday.“We understand the concerns created by the disruptions that COVID has caused to our industry, the introduction of big technology and changes in consumer behavior, but we promise this: Paramount remains committed to talent, and this merger strengthens consumer choice and competition, creating greater opportunities for creators, audiences and the communities where they live and work.”
