Among the latest high-profile additions to the list of signatories are actors Florence Pugh and Pedro Pascal, alongside Edward Norton and comedian Atsuko Okatsuka. Their names join an expanding coalition that already includes figures such as Joaquin Phoenix, Ben Stiller, and Kristen Stewart, who were among the earliest signatories when the letter was first released.
The open letter, published by the New York Times and hosted on BlocktheMerger.com, argues that the merger would concentrate too much power in the hands of a few major stakeholders, undermining competition and harming the broader creative ecosystem. It warns that such consolidation could weaken “the integrity, independence, and diversity” of the entertainment industry, while stressing that competition is essential not only for economic health but also for democratic balance.
The proposal itself emerged in late February, when Paramount Skydance announced its planned acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, reportedly after competing interest from Netflix for control of the historic studio assets. If completed, the deal would reshape the global entertainment landscape, combining two of the most influential film and television catalogues in the world.
In response to the backlash, Paramount issued a detailed statement defending the merger. The company said it respects concerns raised within the creative community but insists the deal would ultimately expand opportunities rather than reduce them. It pledged to increase production to at least 30 high-quality theatrical films annually, continue licensing content broadly, and maintain independent creative leadership across its brands, arguing that creators would gain “more avenues for their work, not fewer.”
The signatories to the letter span a wide range of Hollywood voices. Early supporters included director Adam McKay, actor Bryan Cranston, filmmaker David Fincher, director Denis Villeneuve, actor Mark Ruffalo, director Jason Bateman, and filmmaker Lin-Manuel Miranda, among many others.
The movement has also gained visibility during awards season. At the Oscars in March, actress Jane Fonda wore a “Block the Merger” pin, using her appearance on the red carpet to publicly criticize the deal and call for its rejection. Speaking about media consolidation and its broader implications, she warned that regulatory approval was being shaped by political pressure and stressed that opposition to the merger was gaining momentum.
The letter further amplifies long-standing concerns in Hollywood about media consolidation, creative independence, and the shrinking number of major studios controlling global film and television production. Supporters of the merger, however, argue that scale is necessary to compete with streaming giants and to sustain large-scale theatrical production in a rapidly evolving entertainment market.
As regulatory review approaches, the debate has now expanded beyond corporate strategy into a broader cultural and political fight over the future structure of the entertainment industry—one increasingly defined by a small number of global media powerhouses.