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

Actors Benedict Cumberbatch, Alan Cumming, and Benedict Wong have urged the British government to block the planned merger of Paramount and Warner Bros, arguing it could potentially harm the film and television industry. The actors expressed concerns that the consolidation could trigger workforce reductions among British film and television crews, halt production projects, slash funding for independent films, and lead to the loss of public service broadcasting stations. “The UK is being threatened by a media merger that will hurt our workers, our culture, and our communities, but we can stop it,” the Marvel star wrote in an article. They have conveyed their concerns to UK Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, who currently holds the authority to consider public interest aspects during the merger review process. This month, 12 US states led by California are set to sue in federal court to block the merger, warning it would raise prices, reduce the number of films made, and lower the quality of what audiences see. The actors noted that the fight against the merger is now being waged on two fronts, with Nandy leading one of them. They argued that if her department decides to intervene, it could prove to be one of the most important decisions a culture secretary has ever made for British film, television, and media in a generation. The trio, who have long worked in the industry, expressed solidarity with production crews, highlighting that to service Warner Bros’ estimated 84 billion US dollars in debt, executives have promised investors 6 billion dollars in synergies, which points to staff reductions. “That is precisely what makes the Paramount-WBD merger so dangerous,” they wrote.