Mark Ruffalo tears into Gavin Newsom in furious reaction to latest twist in Paramount saga

Mark Ruffalo tore into California Gov.Gavin Newsom Monday after Paramount reached a settlement paving the way for its blockbuster $81 billion merger with Warner Bros.

Discovery.“Gavin Newsom hands huge win to Trump and his billionaire cronies,” the “Avengers” star wrote on X.Ruffalo was responding to former FTC commissioner Alvaro Bedoya, who blasted the latest development in the long-running Paramount saga.“Today, billionaires have yet again bribed, censored, and bullied their way to the top,” Bedoya wrote.“As a result, a billionaire media conglomerate closely allied with the president will soon own one of its closest rivals, including some of the nation’s most critical news outlets.”The broadside came after Paramount struck a settlement with California Attorney General Rob Bonta and other states that had sued to block the Warner Bros.

Discovery takeover on antitrust grounds.Newsom had reportedly warned that California employment could suffer if the merger was blocked in court, while Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison specifically thanked the governor after the settlement was announced.“Our goal has always been to build a stronger Hollywood – one with more stories told, greater choice for consumers and stronger competition,” Ellison said.Under the settlement, Paramount pledged to spend an additional $1.5 billion on domestic production over five years and release at least 30 movies theatrically each year, rising to 32 after the first two years.The deal also calls for independent editorial boards for CBS News and CNN and includes commitments aimed at increasing domestic film production.Bonta stressed that the settlement did not amount to his endorsement of the merger.“This settlement is not a vote of support for this merger.It is not a blessing of the broader merger,” he said Monday.Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass also said she remains opposed to consolidating two of Hollywood’s biggest studios but argued the focus must now turn to pro...