Archive · 20 Sep 2026
Mark Ruffalo Pressures Bonta to Reject Paramount-Warner Settlement
Mark Ruffalo wants California Attorney General Rob Bonta to stop a possible merger between Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros.
Discovery.
The two companies are reportedly discussing a settlement with Bonta and other state attorneys general.
A settlement could allow the merger to move forward without a full trial.
Ruffalo says the proposed deal would hurt filmmakers and other entertainment workers.
He says 5,670 filmmakers and more than 75,000 other people oppose the deal.
He asked supporters to sign a petition and protest outside Bonta’s Oakland office.
The state attorneys general have challenged the merger because of antitrust concerns.
A federal antitrust trial is scheduled for March 2, 2027.
Bonta’s office did not respond to Deadline’s request for comment.
Mark Ruffalo urged California Attorney General Rob Bonta to reject a potential Paramount Skydance settlement involving Warner Bros. Discovery’s proposed acquisition.
Ruffalo said 5,670 filmmakers and more than 75,000 petition signers oppose concessions and called on Bay Area supporters to protest in Oakland.
Bonta’s office and Paramount Skydance have reportedly made progress in settlement talks over an antitrust lawsuit brought by Bonta and 11 other state attorneys general.
The proposed acquisition is valued at about $111 billion including debt and has received regulatory clearances in several jurisdictions, including the U.S. Department of Justice.
Opponents including Block the Merger and the Writers Guild of America argue the deal should be fully blocked, while Bonta’s office did not comment to Deadline.
- Who
- Mark Ruffalo, California Attorney General Rob Bonta, Paramount Skydance, Warner Bros. Discovery, and 11 other state attorneys general are central to the dispute.
- What
- Ruffalo and other opponents are urging the state attorneys general to reject a potential settlement and block Paramount Skydance’s proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery.
- When
- Ruffalo made the appeal on September 19, 2026; a federal antitrust trial is scheduled for March 2, 2027.
- Where
- The legal challenge involves state attorneys general, while Ruffalo urged supporters to protest outside Bonta’s office in Oakland, California.
- Why
- Opponents say the merger could harm filmmakers and the entertainment industry and that proposed concessions would be inadequate.
Merger Opponents
Settlement Negotiators
Whether to approve a settlement
Merger Opponents
Mark Ruffalo, Block the Merger, and other opponents want Bonta and the other state attorneys general to reject the settlement and fully block the merger without concessions.
Settlement Negotiators
Bonta’s office and Paramount Skydance are reportedly making progress in settlement discussions that could resolve the state antitrust lawsuit and avoid a full trial.
Adequacy of proposed protections
Merger Opponents
Opponents characterize the potential agreement as a bad deal built on empty promises and say concessions would not sufficiently protect filmmakers or the entertainment industry.
Settlement Negotiators
Bonta has indicated that any resolution would need to address his antitrust concerns; structural remedies have reportedly been preferred over promises about the merged company’s future conduct.
- Proposed transaction
- Paramount Skydance’s acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery
- Reported value
- About $111 billion, including debt
- Lead state official
- California Attorney General Rob Bonta
- State lawsuit
- Bonta and 11 other state attorneys general are challenging the transaction on antitrust grounds
- Reported opposition
- 5,670 filmmakers and more than 75,000 petition signers, according to Ruffalo and Block the Merger
- Federal trial
- Scheduled for March 2, 2027
- Other litigation
- The Writers Guild of America has filed a separate lawsuit
- Official response
- Bonta’s office did not respond to Deadline’s request for comment
