Mark Ruffalo urges California AG Rob Bonta to – Business News
California Attorney General Rob Bonta is dealing with a Hollywood strain marketing campaign as a potential settlement threatens to clear a path for Paramount Skydance’s $111 billion takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery.
“Don’t you dare @AGRobBonta, do not cave,” actor and producer Mark Ruffalo warned on X, urging the AG to reject any settlement that may permit the merger to transfer ahead.
Ruffalo mentioned hundreds of filmmakers had already taken a public stand towards the deal, whereas more than 75,000 people have signed a petition aimed on the state attorneys basic.
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Mark Ruffalo arrives for the 78th annual Primetime Emmy Awards on the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, Monday, Sept. 14, 2026. Chris Chew/UPI/Shutterstock
California Attorney General Rob Bonta is pictured during a dialog at The Atlantic Festival 2026 in New York, Friday, Sept. 18, 2026. BFA.com / BACKGRID
He additionally known as on Bay Area supporters to show up outdoors Bonta’s Oakland workplace, claiming he was listening to the AG was “about to cave” and asking demonstrators to “reject this backroom deal.”
The backlash comes as Bonta and 11 different state attorneys basic negotiate with Paramount CEO David Ellison over an antitrust lawsuit looking for to stop the merger.
Reports point out the talks might produce a settlement, probably avoiding a trial at the moment scheduled for March 2027.
Its demand: reject the settlement and block the merger outright. Brad Coleman for CA POST
The Block the Merger Coalition can be sounding the alarm, arguing that a settlement constructed round guarantees somewhat than enforceable protections would depart opponents of the transaction empty-handed.
“An agreement based only on unenforceable concessions is a win only for David Ellison. It is an L for everyone else,” the coalition mentioned.
General views of Warner Brothers Studios workplaces and Studio Tour are seen on Thursday, September 17, 2020, in Burbank, California. GC Images
The group mentioned more than 75,000 people have joined the marketing campaign urging state AGs to maintain the road, whereas citing assist from industry figures and national leaders together with Sen. Elizabeth Warren.
Its demand: reject the settlement and block the merger outright.
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Ruffalo and the coalition have additionally confronted criticism from opponents of their place, together with former Los Angeles mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt.
“Ruffalo doesn’t give a f–k about all the blue collar film workers who are dying out there. He’s got his millions, and he’s willing to f–k the rest of the industry for petty politics,” Pratt wrote on X.
The Paramount water tower stands on the Paramount Studio lot in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, Thursday, September 17, 2026. REUTERS
Paramount faces a ticking clock of its own because it races to close the transaction.
Under the merger settlement, the company faces a $7 million-a-day “ticking fee” if the deal stays delayed after Sept. 30.
The company has additionally raised the likelihood of shifting its operations out of California if the legal combat continues.
Nashville, Austin and Georgia have been recognized as doable locations, whereas economists cited within the materials estimate that a full departure might price Los Angeles as many as 58,000 jobs.
The California Post reached out to Bonta’s workplace for remark and likewise reached out to the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees.
