UPDATED: JJ Abrams, Damon Lindelof, David Fincher and Denis Villeneuve are just a few of the names who have signed on to an open letter opposing Paramount‘s proposed merger with Warner Bros. Discovery, calling the transaction one that will “threaten the sustainability of the entire creative community.”
“We are deeply concerned by indications of support for this merger that prioritize the interests of a small group of powerful stakeholders over the broader public good,” they wrote in the open letter. “The integrity, independence, and diversity of our industry would be grievously compromised.”
Other names signing on include Adam McKay, Ben Stiller, Bryan Cranston, Catherine Keener, David Chase, Emma Thompson, Don Cheadle, James Schamus, Jane Fonda, Jason Bateman, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Noah Wyle, Tiffany Haddish, Mark Duplass, Joaquin Phoenix and Lily Gladstone.
More than 1,000 performers, creatives and other industry professionals signed the letter, which was organized by groups including the Committee for the First Amendment, the Future Film Coalition, the Writers Guild of America and the Democracy Defenders Fund.
Paramount has not yet commented on the letter. Paramount CEO David Ellison has argued that the merger would benefit the industry and bolster feature film production.
They wrote in the letter, “Competition is essential for a healthy economy and a healthy democracy. So is thoughtful regulation and enforcement. Media consolidation has already weakened one of America’s most vital global industries—one that has long shaped culture and connected people around the world.”
The group also praised California Attorney General Rob Bonta and other state AGs for investigating the transaction. The New York Times first reported on the letter.
In an Instagram post, Lindelof explained why he signed the letter and the fear of doing so publicly.
He wrote, “I’m scared. But I’m not a ghost. And a fight is already lost if it’s never fought. So I signed. Proudly. I understand why many of my peers have not — trust me, I’m more of a puker than a stormer. But these boats are heading for the beach whether we like it or not… The only thing we have any control over is what we do when we get there.”
More to come.