Mark Ruffalo to California AG: 77,000 Signatures Say Reject Paramount Deal

Mark Ruffalo is turning up the heat on California Attorney General Rob Bonta, urging him to reject a settlement in the state's lawsuit against Paramount-Skydance's pending $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. In a social media post tagging Bonta, Ruffalo wrote, "Do not cave," and pointed to a petition that has already gathered more than 77,000 signatures. He also cited 5,670 filmmakers who "put their necks on the line" to fight the merger, adding, "You work for the people - the very people who will be hurt if you let this lousy deal filled with empty promises go forward. Reject the deal. The people don't want it!" The petition, hosted on the No Paramount Concessions website, calls on the 12 states suing the companies to "hold the line" and block the merger entirely.

The pressure comes as Bonta and Paramount were reported Friday to be in advanced settlement talks. Bonta, who is suing alongside 11 other state attorneys general, has said he is open to an out-of-court resolution but has insisted on structural remedies - such as divestments - rather than behavioral promises like Paramount's pledge to release 30 films in theaters annually. Ruffalo's campaign directly targets that negotiation, framing any concession as a betrayal of public interest. His call to action extends beyond digital: in a later post, he asked his "friends in the Bay Area" to "show up outside his AG office in Oakland tomorrow at 5 pm to reject this backroom deal."

Ruffalo has been one of the entertainment industry's most vocal critics of the merger. In August, he voiced objections to the business relationship between Larry Ellison's Oracle, which is backstopping more than $40 billion of the acquisition, and Israel's military activity in Gaza. Those comments proved divisive, prompting Paramount to label Ruffalo's remarks "antisemitic" and sparking rival industry petitions both criticizing and supporting the actor. The controversy underscores how the merger has become a flashpoint for broader political and cultural battles, not just antitrust law.

The actor's intervention amplifies a warning from Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), who has sounded the alarm on settlement talks, calling it a "massive mistake to cave" and cautioning that the merger could create "another Trump-controlled media conglomerate." Warren's framing ties the deal to concerns about media consolidation and political influence, adding a federal dimension to the state-level lawsuit. For Bonta, the choice is now between a negotiated settlement that might satisfy his structural demands or a trial that could delay or kill the deal entirely.

The stakes extend well beyond California. If Bonta rejects a settlement and proceeds to trial, it would set a precedent for state attorneys general challenging mega-mergers on antitrust grounds, potentially emboldening other regulators. Conversely, accepting behavioral remedies - like the theatrical release pledge - could signal that regulators are willing to accept promises over structural changes, a outcome that critics argue has historically failed to preserve competition. The merger itself would create a combined entity with massive content libraries, distribution power, and negotiating leverage against streaming rivals, reshaping the media landscape.

Oracle's role adds another layer of complexity. The tech giant's $40 billion backstop ties the deal to one of the world's most valuable companies, making the merger not just a media story but a tech-and-capital story. Ruffalo's earlier criticism of Oracle's Israel ties shows how corporate partnerships can become political liabilities, a lesson for any executive considering similar backstops. The Ellison family - Larry and his son David, who leads Paramount-Skydance - are central figures, and their willingness to push through regulatory hurdles will be tested.

For executives and boards watching this play out, the message is clear: public opinion campaigns can move regulatory timelines and outcomes. Ruffalo's ability to rally 77,000 signatures in three weeks - and to mobilize physical protests - demonstrates that mergers are no longer decided solely in boardrooms and courtrooms. The optics of a deal, including the political affiliations of its backers, now carry real weight. As Bonta weighs his next move, the decision will signal how much influence grassroots pressure can exert on antitrust enforcement.

The outcome is imminent. Bonta's office has not publicly commented on the settlement talks beyond earlier statements, but the advanced stage suggests a resolution could come within days. If Bonta caves to the pressure and rejects the deal, Paramount-Skydance faces a protracted legal battle. If he accepts a settlement with structural remedies, the merger proceeds but with conditions that could reshape how the combined company operates. Either way, Ruffalo has ensured that the "people's" voice is part of the calculus - a reminder that in the age of social media, no deal is too big to escape public scrutiny.