Jerry Bruckheimer, Emma Thomas Grilled On Not Signing Merger Letter

Key Points:

• Mega-producers Jerry Bruckheimer and Emma Thomas declined to sign an open letter opposing the Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger, citing that they were not asked and believing the merger is inevitable given regulatory approvals abroad.
• Bruckheimer expressed optimism about the merger, trusting Paramount’s David Ellison to continue producing a high volume of movies annually, while Thomas voiced skepticism about petitions as a means of effecting change and concerns about past unmet promises in mergers.
• Over 3,000 industry figures have signed the open letter warning that the $110 billion merger would further consolidate the media landscape, reduce competition, limit creative opportunities, and threaten jobs across the production ecosystem.
• The letter highlights the negative impact of media consolidation on mid-budget films, independent distribution, and the diversity of stories, urging regulators like California Attorney General Rob Bonta to block the merger to protect the industry’s future.
• Both producers acknowledged challenges facing the film industry, including streaming, consolidation, and pandemic effects, emphasizing the need for long-term investment in theatrical moviegoing and sustainable filmmaking infrastructure.