Mark Ruffalo criticized the $110 billion Paramount‑Warner Bros. Discovery merger after a federal judge cleared the deal to move forward on Wednesday, calling the outcome “incredibly disappointing.” In a post on X, he argued that the merger would “stifle creativity, weaken free‑speech protections, and cost people their jobs” and described it as “a bad deal for this country.”
He added that the grassroots opposition would not fade, vowing to continue fighting “against corrupt oligarch billionaires trampling the interests of everyday people to line their own pockets.” Ruffalo urged supporters to “join us” in the ongoing effort.
PARAMOUNT REACHES SETTLEMENT WITH STATES SUING TO BLOCK WARNER BROS DISCOVERY TAKEOVER
Mark Ruffalo argued that the Paramount‑Warner Bros. Discovery merger would “stifle creativity, weaken free speech, and cost people their jobs” after a federal judge cleared the deal to move forward. (Karwai Tang/WireImage / Unknown)
MARK RUFFALO URGES CALIFORNIA AG ROB BONTA NOT TO ‘CAVE’ IN PARAMOUNT‑WARNER BROS MERGER FIGHT
The Paramount Studios sign in Los Angeles, California, on April 23, 2026. (Noah Suave / Getty Images)
A federal judge on Wednesday issued an order allowing Paramount to close its acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, clearing the way for the historic Hollywood merger to move forward.
U.S. District Judge Araceli Martínez‑Olguín called the deal a “reasonable factual and legal resolution” while rejecting objections seeking broader restrictions.
The order came after Paramount and a California‑led coalition of 12 state attorneys general, which had sued to block the acquisition, reached a settlement.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta, who led the coalition, previously said the combined company made an “enforceable commitment to significantly increase domestic production.”
MARK RUFFALO URGES CALIFORNIA AG ROB BONTA NOT TO ‘CAVE’ IN PARAMOUNT‑WARNER BROS MERGER FIGHT
California Attorney General Rob Bonta led a coalition of 12 state attorneys general that sued to block Paramount’s acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery before reaching a settlement with the company. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz/MediaNews Group/Los Angeles Daily News via Getty Images / Getty Images)
Under the settlement, the merged entity committed to releasing at least 30 movies annually in each of the first two years, followed by 32 movies per year for the subsequent three years. At least four of those releases must be independent films each year. Paramount also agreed to spend an additional $1.5 billion on U.S. film production over five years compared with its 2025 spending levels, according to Bonta’s office.
In July, the states sued to block the deal, arguing it would reduce competition and give the combined company excessive market power in film distribution and basic‑cable programming. The settlement announced on Sept. 21 resolved those claims, the attorney general’s office said.
Just days before the settlement was announced, Ruffalo publicly pressured Bonta not to “cave,” posting on X: “Don’t you dare @AGRobBonta, do not cave.”
FOX Business’ Brian Flood and Reuters contributed to this report.
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