Trending Now - Over 1,000 Hollywood Icons Rally Against Paramount-warner Merger

WHO:

NBC News - Jane Fonda, Joaquin Phoenix, and over 1,000 Hollywood professionals signed an open letter.

Deadline - JJ Abrams, Damon Lindelof, David Fincher, and Denis Villeneuve are among the signatories of the letter.

Variety - Ben Stiller and Kristen Stewart also signed the open letter.

WHAT:

NBC News - The open letter opposes Paramount Skydance’s takeover of Warner Bros.

Deadline - The letter states that the merger will "threaten the sustainability of the entire creative community."

Variety - The letter expresses deep concern over the merger prioritizing the interests of a small group of powerful stakeholders over the broader creative community.

WHEN:

Variety - The open letter was issued on Monday, April 11th, 2026.

WHY:

Deadline - The signatories are concerned that the merger will negatively impact the creative community's sustainability.

Variety - The letter indicates concerns about prioritizing the interests of a small group over the broader community.

HOW:

NBC News - The protest was organized through an open letter signed by Hollywood icons.

(UPDATED April 13, 2026 15:20 UTC)

on Saturday, an open letter opposing Paramount Skydance’s takeover of Warner Bros. was signed by over 1,000 Hollywood professionals, including notable figures like Jane Fonda, Joaquin Phoenix, JJ Abrams, and Kristen Stewart. The letter warns that the merger could threaten the sustainability of the entire creative community by prioritizing the interests of a small group of powerful stakeholders. This protest highlights the deep concern among industry leaders about the potential negative impact on the broader creative landscape.