Actor and activist Mark Ruffalo was among the most outspoken opponents of Paramount’s proposed $110 billion merger with Warner Bros. Discovery.
A major obstacle was an antitrust lawsuit filed by California Attorney General Rob Bonta and the attorneys general of 11 other states. With that challenge now settled, the Marvel star is directing his anger toward California Governor Gavin Newsom.
Ruffalo offered his assessment while responding to a social media post from former Federal Trade Commission commissioner Alvaro Bedoya.
Gavin Newsom hands huge win to Trump and his billionaire cronies. https://t.co/G7GCPHnbcz
— Mark Ruffalo (@MarkRuffalo) September 21, 2026
“Gavin Newsom hands huge win to Trump and his billionaire cronies,” Ruffalo wrote on X.
Newsom Pushed for a Settlement
The merger had already received federal approval when Bonta led a coalition seeking to block the deal. However, Newsom reportedly urged the attorney general to reach an out-of-court settlement with Paramount.
According to The Wall Street Journal, Newsom had expressed concerns about a prolonged legal battle since July. His primary concern was the potential loss of entertainment jobs in California.
Gavin Newsom speaking at an event – Office of the Governor of California, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
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In a statement provided to The Los Angeles Times, Newsom celebrated this week’s settlement.
“Rather than spending years fighting in court and putting thousands of California jobs at risk, the parties came together and found a practical path forward,” Newsom said.
The final agreement includes concessions from Paramount. However, Ruffalo wanted the merger stopped entirely.
Ruffalo Pressured Bonta to Continue the Fight
Reports emerged over the weekend that Bonta was negotiating a settlement with Paramount.
Ruffalo responded by pressuring the attorney general to continue pursuing the lawsuit, pointing to widespread opposition within the entertainment industry.
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…
— Mark Ruffalo (@MarkRuffalo) September 19, 2026
California Attorney General Rob Bonta – YouTube, KCRA 3
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“Don’t you dare @AGRobBonta, do not cave,” Ruffalo wrote on X. “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 lousy deal filled with empty promises go forward.”
The actor also called on Bay Area residents to protest outside Bonta’s office.
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!…
— Mark Ruffalo (@MarkRuffalo) September 19, 2026
“To my friends in the Bay Area: I’m hearing Rob Bonta is about to cave and hand Warner Bros over to the Ellisons,” Ruffalo wrote. “We can’t let him do that.”
Ruffalo’s Pressure Campaign Falls Short
Ruffalo’s campaign ultimately failed to produce the outcome he demanded. Bonta agreed to dismiss the lawsuit after Paramount made several commitments, including investing an additional $1.5 billion in American productions over five years.
The agreement also requires Paramount to maintain certain theatrical output levels, establish an editorial independence board, and provide assistance for displaced entertainment workers. However, it does not require the company to sell major assets or make other structural changes.
Mark Ruffalo speaking at the 2017 San Diego Comic Con International, for “Thor: Ragnarok” Photo Credit: Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
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For Newsom, the settlement avoids a lengthy legal fight and reduces the immediate threat of entertainment jobs leaving California. For Ruffalo, that compromise still permits the consolidation he spent months opposing.
Their disagreement reflects two competing priorities within Hollywood’s merger battle. Newsom can present the settlement as a pragmatic effort to protect California workers, while Ruffalo views it as surrender to powerful corporate interests.
The merger still requires final judicial approval. Nevertheless, the settlement removes its largest remaining legal obstacle—and Ruffalo’s last-minute pressure campaign was unable to prevent it.
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