Business · Companies · 3 hrs ago
Spike Lee says Paramount-Warner Bros. merger could limit where he makes films
Spike Lee says the merger could leave him with fewer places to make films.
Paramount completed its $81 billion purchase of Warner Bros.
Discovery last month, creating a company known as Skydance.
Lee said his concern was linked to his politics and the new owners, David Ellison and his father Larry Ellison, and their ties to Donald Trump.
Skydance is also carrying nearly $80 billion in net debt, which puts pressure on the company to reduce costs and increase revenue.
The company aims to save $6 billion through merger costs and lower its debt compared with earnings by 2029.
Analysts say those targets will be difficult to meet, given competition in streaming and a decline in traditional television.
If Skydance falls short, it may make deeper cuts or sell assets, moves that could affect workers and the company’s creative choices.
Spike Lee said the Paramount-Warner Bros. merger could leave him with one fewer place to make films.
Paramount finalized its purchase of Warner Bros. Discovery last month, creating the company now known as Skydance.
Lee told Variety he was concerned the merger could affect where he works, citing his politics and those of the Ellison family.
Skydance faces nearly $80 billion in net debt and plans to reduce its leverage while investing in growth.
The Independent said it had asked Skydance for comment on Lee’s remarks.
- Who
- Filmmaker Spike Lee and the newly merged company, Skydance.
- What
- Lee said the merger could mean one fewer place for him to make films.
- When
- Lee’s Variety interview was published Monday; the articles were published on November 2, 2026.
- Where
- The merger concerns Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery; Lee’s interview was with Variety. A more specific location is not stated.
- Why
- Lee said the possibility was related to his politics and those of the Ellison family.
Spike Lee
Skydance
Potential impact on filmmakers
Spike Lee
Lee said the merger could mean one fewer place where he makes films.
Skydance
Skydance’s stated strategy is to grow the company and its performance after the merger.
Political concerns
Spike Lee
Lee linked his concern to his politics and those of the Ellison family.
Skydance
Skydance’s position on Lee’s political concerns is not stated.
Paramount finalized its purchase of Warner Bros. Discovery.
Variety published its interview with Spike Lee, in which he commented on the merger.
The Independent, Business Insider and TheWrap published articles about the merger and Skydance.
- Purchase price
- $81 billion, according to The Independent
- Company name
- Skydance
- Net debt
- Nearly $80 billion, according to TheWrap
- Debt-to-EBITDA ratio
- 7.8 times, according to Fitch
- Planned leverage ratio
- 3 times in 2029
- Planned free cash flow
- More than $10 billion by 2030
3 sources
What people are saying
You know… It might be one less place I’m going to be making films!
I’m not hoping for that, but it could be.
We absolutely have the ability to manage the debt and de-lever while investing for growth.
From our conversations with them and from just crunching the numbers, it is clear to us that this is not going to be organic deleveraging.