1 week ago
Mark Ruffalo Attacks Oracle Ties Amid Paramount-Warner Merger
Mark Ruffalo does not want Paramount Skydance to buy Warner Bros.
He is worried about the technology and business connections of the Ellison family, which is involved in the deal.
Ruffalo criticized Oracle, a company connected to Larry Ellison.
He shared a video of Oracle executive Safra Catz discussing technology provided to the Israeli military.
Ruffalo says the merger could reduce competition and choices for audiences.
He also says many filmmaking and related jobs could disappear.
Twelve state attorneys general are suing to stop the merger.
Mayor Karen Bass supports bringing the parties together to move the deal forward.
Netflix previously declined to increase its offer after Paramount Skydance made a higher bid.
The proposed transaction remains the subject of a public dispute over jobs, competition and corporate control.
Mark Ruffalo criticized the Ellison family’s Oracle ties while opposing Paramount Skydance’s Warner Bros. acquisition.
Ruffalo alleged Oracle technology supplied to the Israeli military could become connected to a major media conglomerate.
He argued the merger could eliminate 4,500 direct filmmaking jobs and 10,000 ancillary jobs.
Ruffalo said 12 state attorneys general are suing to block the proposed merger.
Mayor Karen Bass urged all parties to cooperate and advance the merger, according to the article.
- Who
- Mark Ruffalo, Larry Ellison, David Ellison, Oracle executive Safra Catz, Mayor Karen Bass, Paramount Skydance, Warner Bros. and 12 state attorneys general.
- What
- A public dispute over Paramount Skydance’s proposed acquisition of Warner Bros., including criticism of the Ellisons’ Oracle connections.
- Where
- Ruffalo made his comments in an Instagram Story; Bass spoke at a press conference.
- When
- Ruffalo’s latest comments were published on Friday; related efforts were reported in February and April.
- Why
- Ruffalo says the merger could harm workers, consumers, competition and creative control, while Bass has called for the deal to move forward.
Merger Opponents
Merger Supporters
Competition and consumer choice
Merger Opponents
Ruffalo argues the transaction is a classic antitrust case that could reduce competition, increase cable costs and limit audience choice.
Merger Supporters
Mayor Karen Bass supports bringing the parties together and pushing the merger through; the article does not provide a detailed response from the deal’s proponents to Ruffalo’s antitrust claims.
Employment and creative industry impact
Merger Opponents
Ruffalo says the merger could cost 4,500 direct filmmaking jobs and 10,000 ancillary jobs, threatening the wider creative community.
Merger Supporters
Support for the deal is presented through Bass’s call to advance it, but the article does not specify supporters’ response to the job-loss estimates.
Ellison and Oracle connections
Merger Opponents
Ruffalo links Larry Ellison’s Oracle wealth and technology to his son David Ellison’s acquisition effort, warning about concentrated corporate and creative power.
Merger Supporters
The article identifies the Ellisons’ involvement in the transaction but does not include a response from Larry or David Ellison to Ruffalo’s criticism.
Key facts
- Proposed buyer
- Paramount Skydance
- Target company
- Warner Bros. Discovery
- Paramount offer
- $31 per share
- State opposition
- 12 state attorneys general are suing to block the merger
- Estimated direct job losses
- 4,500 filmmaking jobs, according to Ruffalo
- Estimated ancillary job losses
- 10,000 jobs, according to Ruffalo
- Earlier Netflix deal
- Netflix declined to raise its bid after Paramount Skydance’s offer was described as superior
Quotes
Mark Ruffalo
Actor and outspoken opponent of the Paramount-Warner Bros. merger
“It will be catastrophic for our film industry. There will be a loss of 4500 direct filmmaking jobs and the loss of another 10k ancillary jobs.”
deadline.com
“This is the company that Larry Ellison is using to fund his son David’s Warner Bros acquisition”
deadline.com
Sources
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