Actor Mark Ruffalo Criticizes Paramount-Warner Bros. Merger Over Oracle Ties
Mark Ruffalo accused the Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger of supporting Israel’s actions in Gaza, prompting a Paramount spokesperson to label his comments antisemitic and call for reduced rhetoric.
Actor Mark Ruffalo used Instagram on Friday to denounce the planned Paramount Pictures and Warner Bros. Discovery merger, linking the deal to Oracle’s technology reportedly used by Israel in Gaza. He suggested the merger would consolidate media power and result in the loss of thousands of Hollywood jobs.
Paramount issued a statement calling Ruffalo’s remarks "antisemitic" and "a bridge too far," saying that invoking terms such as "genocide" and "apartheid" in a business dispute cheapens their meaning. The company urged a lower-temperature discussion and emphasized its commitment to inclusive storytelling and legal evaluation of the transaction.
Ruffalo highlighted a video of Safra Catz, Oracle’s executive vice chair, who had spoken at the Israeli-American Council summit about making Oracle’s technology available for the Israeli military effort. He argued that the technology could be integrated into the merged media conglomerate and used against Palestinians.
The actor also cited a report indicating the merger could eliminate about 4,500 film and TV jobs in Los Angeles County over three years, with additional ancillary positions at risk. He noted that twelve state attorneys general have filed lawsuits to block the deal, describing it as an antitrust concern that could raise consumer costs and reduce competition.
Paramount’s spokesperson responded, "We’d rather build than further engage in such rhetoric," and called for the merger to be judged on its legal merits rather than perceived bias.