Over 1,000 Hollywood Figures Oppose Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery Merger

More than 1,000 Hollywood stars, writers, directors, and other industry professionals have signed an open letter expressing unequivocal opposition to the proposed merger between Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery, warning it would deepen consolidation in an already strained industry. The letter, published Monday in outlets including The New York Times, argues the deal would reduce competition, eliminate jobs, and limit opportunities for creators at a time when film production has already declined sharply due to prior mergers and market disruptions.

Prominent signatories include directors J.J. Abrams and Denis Villeneuve, actors Kristen Stewart, Jane Fonda, Joaquin Phoenix, and Bryan Cranston, among hundreds of others from across the production ecosystem. As reported by Arab News and Fast Company, the petitioners highlight how the $111 billion takeover—led by David Ellison's Paramount Skydance—would shrink the number of major U.S. film studios to just four, leaving audiences with fewer choices and higher costs worldwide. They emphasize that "competition is essential for a healthy economy and a healthy democracy," noting the industry's vulnerabilities from COVID-19, big-tech disruptions, and shifting consumer habits.

The merger has drawn particular scrutiny because it outbid a rival offer from Netflix, which some insiders viewed as a less damaging alternative. According to Slashdot citing NBC News, the letter describes the transaction as exacerbating an "already concentrated media landscape," with ripple effects on jobs throughout the production chain and reduced creative output. Hollywood has seen a steep drop in films produced and released amid waves of consolidation, and signatories fear this deal would accelerate that trend, weakening a key U.S. cultural export.

Paramount Skydance has pushed back firmly, stating the merger would strengthen competition and expand opportunities for creators and audiences. In a response quoted by Arab News, the company affirmed its commitment to talent amid industry challenges, promising enhanced consumer choice and support for local communities. Warner Bros., home to blockbuster franchises like Harry Potter, The Lord of the Rings, and Game of Thrones, has not issued a separate statement in the immediate coverage.

The deal remains under regulatory review in both the U.S. and U.K., where antitrust concerns could shape its fate. Joblo and other outlets report that authorities are examining whether the combination would harm market diversity. For the thousands of professionals who signed the letter—as covered by KHQ and Movieweb—this opposition underscores broader anxieties about Hollywood's future viability.

This protest matters because it signals deep unease among the industry's creative core, potentially influencing regulators and public opinion. Affected parties range from A-list talent to below-the-line workers, with next steps hinging on government decisions that could either block the merger or impose conditions to preserve competition. As the letter circulates widely, it amplifies calls for thoughtful enforcement to protect an industry vital to global culture and employment.