Paramount accuses Mark Ruffalo of 'antisemitic tropes' on the eve of mediation talks in antitrust battle

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Set us as preferred As political pressure builds to resolve the standoff between California Atty.Gen.

Rob Bonta and Paramount Skydance Chief Executive David Ellison over his company’s proposed Warner Bros.merger, the two sides are set to face off in a court-ordered mediation session this week.It’s not clear whether Monday’s meeting will lead to an immediate breakthrough because the parties remain far apart on business concessions that Bonta has said are necessary to settle the antitrust lawsuit that has stalled Ellison’s proposed $111-billion takeover.In addition, the fight has grown increasingly ugly after Paramount threatened to leave California.

Then, on Friday, the company accused actor Mark Ruffalo — a prominent deal critic — of injecting “antisemitic tropes” into the campaign to thwart the industry-reshaping deal.Leaders of prominent Jewish organizations, including the Simon Wiesenthal Center and the Anti-Defamation League, quickly came to Paramount’s defense, scolding the Emmy-winning actor best known for playing the Hulk and in numerous productions for HBO, the premium channel that Paramount is hoping to buy.

Ruffalo is also known for being an outspoken political progressive.Hollywood Inc.

Paramount’s board has approved David Ellison’s contingency plan to move headquarters from Hollywood as early as this fall, according to people familiar with the situation.“We are, as always, troubled when antisemitic tropes are invoked,” Paramount said in a statement.“Words like ‘genocide’ and ‘apartheid,’ applied to a corporate transaction, aren’t just wrong — they’re a bridge too far.” The fracas began last week when Ruffalo highlighted support for Israel by Ellison’s father, Larry Ellison, and his software company, Oracle Corp., which has worked with the Israeli military amid the...