Hollywood actor Mark Ruffalo has renewed his criticism of Paramount Skydance’s proposed $111 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, raising questions about Oracle’s reported financial and family ties to the deal.
Ruffalo questions Oracle’s connection to the merger
Oscar-nominated actor Mark Ruffalo has stepped up his campaign against Paramount Skydance’s proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, using a series of Instagram Stories to question the role of technology giant Oracle in the transaction.
Ruffalo’s latest comments focused on Oracle executive vice chair Safra Catz and the company’s support for Israel following the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack. In a video clip shared by the actor, Catz discussed Oracle’s assistance to Israel and referred to technologies that the company made available to support the Israeli military effort.
Ruffalo connected those remarks to the proposed Warner Bros. Discovery acquisition because Oracle executive chairman Larry Ellison is the father of Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison. Larry Ellison has also reportedly been providing financial backing for his son’s bid to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery.
The actor argued that this relationship raises concerns about the potential influence and future use of technology associated with Oracle if the merger goes ahead.
Actor urges followers to oppose the deal
In another Instagram post, Ruffalo sharply criticized the Ellison family and Oracle while urging his followers to support efforts aimed at preventing the transaction.
Ruffalo has repeatedly expressed concerns about the proposed merger, particularly over its potential impact on the entertainment industry, workers and the concentration of media ownership.
His latest comments also included strong criticism of Israel’s military actions in Gaza and Oracle’s reported involvement. These statements reflect Ruffalo’s broader political and humanitarian advocacy, which he has previously discussed publicly.
However, his claims regarding the proposed use of Oracle technology by the combined media company are assertions made by Ruffalo and should not be treated as an established outcome of the merger.
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Merger faces regulatory and political scrutiny
The proposed Paramount Skydance-Warner Bros. Discovery transaction is facing scrutiny from regulators and state officials. According to the report, around a dozen state attorneys general, including California’s, are challenging the deal.
Employment concerns have also become part of the debate. TheWrap reported this week that the combined company could potentially eliminate nearly 4,500 film and television jobs in Los Angeles County over the next three years. Ruffalo shared and amplified that report as part of his criticism of the transaction.
Los Angeles is one of the world’s most important centers for film and television production, meaning potential job reductions could have broader implications for workers and the local entertainment economy.
Paramount defends the proposed acquisition
Paramount has publicly defended the merger, arguing that the combination would strengthen the entertainment industry rather than weaken it.
The company has also outlined plans for significant future content spending. Paramount has pledged to invest approximately $30 billion annually in content and release at least 30 theatrical films each year going forward.
The contrasting positions highlight the central debate surrounding the proposed acquisition. Supporters argue that combining the companies could create a stronger competitor in an increasingly competitive global media market, while critics fear greater consolidation could lead to job losses, reduced competition and increased corporate influence.
For now, the proposed deal remains under scrutiny, while Ruffalo continues to use his public platform to campaign against the acquisition and encourage others to oppose it.
