Benedict Cumberbatch, Alan Cumming, Benedict Wong Pen Op-Ed Urging U.K. to Block “Dangerous” Paramount-Warner Bros. Merger - The Hollywood Reporter

What the report says

The Hollywood Reporter says Benedict Cumberbatch, Alan Cumming and Benedict Wong have written a Guardian op-ed urging the U.K. government to block the proposed Paramount–Warner Bros. merger. The actors argue the deal could damage British film, television and media, including the jobs of U.K. crews, financing routes for independent projects and the diversity of news ownership. THR reported the piece was published Monday and framed the merger as a matter affecting people who work on British stages and sets, not only corporate lawyers or executives.

According to THR, U.K. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has previously indicated she was “minded to intervene” in the $111 billion transaction, while remaining in the role after a cabinet reshuffle under new Prime Minister Andy Burnham. The actors welcomed scrutiny by Nandy’s department but argued that U.S. legal action cannot substitute for a British public-interest review. THR noted that 12 U.S. states, led by California, have sued in federal court to stop the deal, and that Paramount agreed not to close the takeover until the court rules on antitrust issues.

The article says Paramount has defended the transaction, with a company spokesperson calling the legal pause a way to show the merger benefits competition, consumers and creators. David Ellison has also promoted the deal as bringing innovation to the industry. Cumberbatch, Cumming and Wong countered that promised savings could mean layoffs, canceled productions and fewer commissioned films, citing recent entertainment mergers as cautionary examples.

The actors also raised concerns about control of major news assets, including Channel 5, CNN International and broadcast archives. THR said they warned that consolidation could affect what audiences are able to see, learn and access, making Nandy’s possible decision significant for U.K. culture and media policy.