As attorneys general meet with Paramount this weekend over a potential deal in the Warner Bros. Discovery merger, Mark Ruffalo is continuing to apply pressure. On Saturday, the 4x Oscar nominee called on Rob Bonta to "re...
By Nexvoro Tech Wire
PUBLISHED SUN, SEP 20, 2026 1:06 AM UTC • 6 MIN READ
Primary Journalistic Dispatch & Direct Reporting
As attorneys general meet with Paramount this weekend over a potential deal in the Warner Bros. Discovery merger, Mark Ruffalo is continuing to apply pressure.
On Saturday, the 4x Oscar nominee called on Rob Bonta to "reject the deal" that he and other AGs are currently negotiating with the Ellison-run Paramount ahead of a scheduled March 2, 2027 federal antitrust trial.
"Don't you dare @AGRobBonta, do not cave. 5670 film makers put their necks on the line for you to fight this merger. Another 75,000+ and counting have signed to tell you not to concede in just 3 weeks," he wrote on X . "You work for the people - the very people who will be hurt if you let this lousy deal filled with empty promises go forward."
In-Depth Developments & Factual Context
Sharing Block the Merger 's petition to stop the settlement, Ruffalo added, "Please sign to send a message to the AGs and Paramount. Reject the deal. The people don't want it!"
Ruffalo went a step further, telling his followers that Bonta " is about to cave ," urging his Bay Area supporters, "We can't let him do that. Can you show up outside his AG office in Oakland tomorrow at 5pm to reject this backroom deal?"
Don't you dare @AGRobBonta , do not cave. 5670 film makers put their necks on the line for you to fight this merger. Another 75,000+ and counting have signed to tell you not to concede in just 3 weeks. You work for the people - the very people who will be hurt if you let this…
Industry Impact & Strategic Analysis
To my friends in the Bay Area: I'm hearing Rob Bonta is about to cave and hand Warner Bros over to the Ellisons. We can't let him do that. Can you show up outside his AG office in Oakland tomorrow at 5pm to reject this backroom deal? Reject the deal. The people don't want it!…
Block the Merger, with support from Ruffalo, Bryan Cranston, Hannah Einbinder, Jane Fonda, Noah Wyle, Denis Villeneuve, Sofia Coppola and more, previously released a statement on the settlement talks.
"Thousands of industry leaders took a risk when they spoke out publicly about the harm the Paramount-Warner Bros. merger would cause," they said, claiming that more than 75,000 people have joined them to tell the state AGs to stand strong, including national leaders like Elizabeth Warren.
Forward Outlook & Market Perspective
"We know a bad deal when we see one," they added. "AG Bonta and his fellow state AGs should reject this deal, stand strong, and fully block the merger with no concessions."
As leaks of talks between the AGs, led by California's politically ambitious Bonta, and Paramount flooded the media late Friday, AG Bonta's office did not respond to Deadline's request for comment.
Get our Breaking News Alerts and Keep your inbox happy.
Comments On Deadline Hollywood are monitored. So don't go off topic, don't impersonate anyone, and don't get your facts wrong.
Get our latest storiesin the feed of your favorite networks
We want to hear from you! Send us a tip using our annonymous form.
Reporting synthesized and verified under Nexvoro.tech editorial guidelines. Full primary records referenced via Deadline Hollywood.
Reporting synthesized under Nexvoro.tech Editorial Standards • Referenced via Deadline Hollywood
Verified Dispatch
