Marvel Actors Urge UK Government to Block Paramount-Warner Bros Merger

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Actors Benedict Cumberbatch, Alan Cumming and Benedict Wong have asked the British government to halt the planned merger of Paramount and Warner Bros, deeming it potentially damaging to the film and television industry.

As reported by The Hollywood Reporter on Monday, the actors expressed concerns for British film and television crews, citing risks of job cuts, halted production projects, fewer independent films receiving funding, and the loss of public service broadcasting stations.

“Britain is under threat from a media merger that would harm our workers, our culture and our society, but we can stop it,” wrote the renowned Marvel actors in an article.

They are understood to have conveyed their concerns to British Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, who currently holds the authority to weigh the public interest aspect of the merger review process.

This month, 12 US states led by California are suing in federal court to block the merger, warning that it would raise prices, reduce the number of films made and lower the quality of what audiences see.

“The fight against this merger is now happening on two fronts, and Nandy is leading one of them. If her department decides to intervene, it could prove to be one of the most important decisions a culture secretary has made for British film, television and media in a generation,” explained Cumberbatch and his colleagues.

The three have long worked in the industry and thus feel a shared understanding with crews and production workers — particularly as, to pay off Warner Bros’ debt estimated at 84 billion US dollars, executives have promised investors 6 billion US dollars in synergies, which would lead to staff reductions.

“That is precisely what makes the Paramount-WBD merger so dangerous,” they wrote.