A coalition of advocacy groups has declared that Warner Bros. Discovery’s (WBD) shareholder vote on Thursday reveals “cracks in the armor” as momentum grows to block the $110 billion Paramount-WBD merger.
The joint statement, obtained by TheWrap, was issued by a group led by the Future Film Coalition, which argued that the vote—despite approving the merger—also rejected CEO David Zaslav’s $887 million golden parachute compensation. Additionally, an open letter calling for the merger’s blockage has amassed over 4,200 signatures.
Growing Opposition to the Paramount-WBD Merger
The Future Film Coalition-led effort stated Thursday afternoon that “momentum is on our side,” emphasizing the broad opposition to the merger.
A-list stars, professionals from every corner of the film and entertainment industry, elected officials and concerned citizens have made their voices heard: the Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger must be stopped. And it can be.
The open letter, spearheaded by the Future Film Coalition, urges state attorneys general and other Washington decision-makers to block the merger. Since its launch, the campaign has quadrupled in size, with high-profile signatories including Robert De Niro, Sofia Coppola, Pedro Pascal, Florence Pugh, Mark Ruffalo, and Edward Norton joining the effort.
Rejection of Zaslav’s Golden Parachute Highlights Concerns
The coalition pointed to the shareholder vote’s rejection of Zaslav’s compensation package as a sign of growing unease with the merger.
Since launching, our campaign has quadrupled in size with calls for action by state attorneys general amplified by celebrities, legal experts and elected officials alike. Even today, WBD’s shareholder vote showed cracks in their armor when they voted down CEO David Zaslav’s exorbitant golden parachute package.
The momentum is on our side, and it will continue to build. This anti-competitive merger, which poses huge threats to freedom of the press and creative expression, is not a done deal. We will continue to fight against it every step of the way.
Coalition Demands Action Against the Merger
The statement was co-signed by multiple organizations, including:
- Future Film Coalition
- Democracy Defenders Fund
- American Economic Liberties Project
- Archival Producers Alliance
- Jane Fonda’s Committee for the First Amendment
- Free Press
- International Documentary Association
- Public Integrity Project
- Reporters Without Borders (RSF)
- Writers Guild of America East
- Writers Guild of America West
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