Actor Noah Wyle questions David Ellison's plan to relocate Paramount out of California
Noah Wyle expressed skepticism about David Ellison’s threat to move Paramount Pictures from California, citing concerns for the local industry as the studio weighs relocation amid a pending merger dispute.
Actor Noah Wyle said on Sunday at an HBO Max Emmy Nominee Celebration in Los Angeles that he hopes David Ellison’s statements about moving Paramount Pictures out of California are merely “saber-rattling.” Wyle, who lives in Los Angeles, said a move would “engender you to the population of this industry” and underscored his personal stake in the issue.
Variety reported on Aug. 11 that Ellison is prepared to begin relocating Paramount as early as October unless the merger between Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery is settled with California Attorney General Rob Bonta. Twelve states have filed an antitrust suit to block the merger, and Paramount has not yet identified a new headquarters, with Georgia, Texas and Tennessee among the locations under consideration.
In March, Wyle testified at a hearing organized by California Sen. Adam Schiff in Burbank, supporting state tax incentives for film and television production. He cited the HBO series “The Pitt,” filmed on the Warner Bros. lot, as a success story, noting that its first season created 600 production jobs and generated $125 million for the state economy.
When asked about the merger’s outcome, Wyle said conflicting reports make it difficult to predict the result, adding that no final decision on Paramount’s location has been made.