Mark Ruffalo has publicly rejected Paramount Skydance's accusation that he used 'antisemitic tropes' in his opposition to the proposed $110 billion (£80.7bn) takeover of Warner Bros Discovery, calling the claim 'appalling and fundamentally dishonest'. The 58-year-old actor, known for his roles in Poor Things and the Marvel Cinematic Universe, has been locked in a public dispute with the media giant after linking CEO David Ellison and his father, Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, to Israel's military actions in Gaza.
Ruffalo's Instagram post sparks corporate clash
On Friday, Ruffalo posted on Instagram criticising the Ellisons and sharing an older video of Oracle CEO Safra Catz discussing technology supplied to Israel following the Hamas-led attacks of October 7, 2023. He described Larry Ellison as a 'classic oligarch' and accused the family of 'powering some of the most destructive and inhuman forces in the world'. In the post, he wrote: 'Look how she revels in what we now have come to see as a genocide, which was built on an apartheid system of oppression powered by Oracle.'
Ruffalo urged his followers to oppose the merger, which he argued would be 'catastrophic' for the entertainment industry due to job losses and reduced competition. The actor, who starred in this summer's Spider-Man: Brand New Day, also warned about the potential consequences of combining Paramount with Warner Bros Discovery, accusing Larry Ellison of using Oracle to fund his son's acquisition.
Paramount responds with accusation of prejudice
Paramount responded on Saturday with a statement criticising Ruffalo's language. A spokesperson said: '(The company is) troubled when antisemitic tropes are invoked in purported service of a business dispute. Words like 'genocide' and 'apartheid', applied to a corporate transaction, aren't just wrong – they're a bridge too far, and they cheapen the very real suffering those words are meant to describe.'
The company added: 'This doesn't deserve a response in kind – and to be clear, we don't tolerate prejudice of any kind, against anyone. We'd rather build than further engage in such rhetoric. This simply exposes the true motivation of some who have advocated opposition to this transaction. On the other hand, our commitment to great content is matched by our commitment to acceptance – to every story, every storyteller, and no blacklists, no exceptions, for anyone.'
Ruffalo's defence and support from Cusack
Ruffalo then shared a written statement on X over the weekend, insisting that his criticism of the Israeli prime minister, military technology contracts, and executives who supply them is not the same as criticising Jewish people. He wrote: 'Criticising the actions of the Israeli prime minister, a military technology contract, or the executives who supply it is not the same as criticising Jewish people. This critical and necessary dialogue is then dishonestly framed as being anti-Israel.'
The 13 Going on 30 star added: 'Everything I know about acting, activism, and humanism has been profoundly shaped by the Jewish friends, colleagues, and loved ones who have been integral and family throughout every point of my life.' He also said: 'This merger has real consequences for real people, and for the entire country. Scrutinising the Ellisons, including Oracle's business built on data, surveillance technology and government contracts, and the serious threat to editorial freedom and the loss of a livelihood for thousands of families, is fair and necessary. The multi-billion-dollar deal would hand one family control over CNN, HBO and Warner Bros., backed in part by foreign money whose influence on editorial decisions has never been fully explained to the public.'
Jim Berk, CEO of the Simon Wiesenthal Centre, a Jewish human rights organisation, praised Paramount for 'refusing to allow prejudice to masquerade as political or corporate criticism'. He added: 'At a time when antisemitism is too often minimised, rationalised or repackaged in more socially acceptable language, this kind of moral clarity matters.' Hollywood star John Cusack also offered support on Sunday, retweeting Ruffalo's statement and writing: 'Solidarity — well said.'
Deal faces regulatory hurdles and job concerns
The dispute comes at a critical point for the acquisition, which was announced in February and values Warner Bros Discovery at $110 billion (£80.7bn), bringing together franchises including Warner Bros, HBO, CNN, DC Studios, Harry Potter and Game of Thrones. The transaction has received regulatory clearances in nearly 70 jurisdictions, but it remains challenged in the US by 12 state attorneys general and the Writers Guild of America.
Paramount this week asked a federal judge to require the states challenging the acquisition to post a $1.88 billion (£1.38bn) bond, arguing delays could leave it facing substantial fees. A recent Los Angeles County report estimated that about 4,500 local film and television jobs could be at risk over three years if the deal proceeds. Ruffalo has been among Hollywood's prominent critics of the transaction, while concerns about consolidation, competition and employment have emerged elsewhere in the industry. Metro has contacted Oracle for comment.
