Mark Ruffalo has hit back at Paramount Skydance after the studio suggested his criticism of the $111bn Warner Bros buyout had invoked antisemitic tropes. The actor called the accusation “appalling and fundamentally dishonest.” The Mark Ruffalo Paramount exchange began with an Instagram story last week.
Ruffalo commented on a video of Oracle executive vice-chair Safra Catz discussing the company’s “really profoundly scary technology” for the Israeli military, and accused Larry Ellison of using Oracle to fund his son David’s Warner Bros acquisition. He called the deal “catastrophic” for the film industry, arguing it would mean job losses, higher cable costs and reduced competition.
Paramount responded with an unusually direct statement, quoting Ruffalo’s post and suggesting such language exposed “the true motivation of some who have advocated opposition to this transaction.”
“We are, as always, troubled when antisemitic tropes are invoked in purported service of a business dispute. Words like ‘genocide’ and ‘apartheid,’ applied to a corporate transaction, aren’t just wrong — they’re a bridge too far, and they cheapen the very real suffering those words are meant to describe.”
Paramount Skydance spokesperson
Ruffalo answered on X, drawing a line between criticism of the Israeli prime minister, a military technology contract and the executives who supply it, and criticism of Jewish people.
“The accusation that I am antisemitic is appalling and fundamentally dishonest. Criticizing the actions of the Israeli prime minister, a military technology contract, or the executives who supply it is not the same as criticizing Jewish people. This critical and necessary dialogue is then dishonestly framed as being anti-Israel.”
Mark Ruffalo
The Mark Ruffalo Paramount dispute
The accusation has drawn other voices into the fight. Jonathan Greenblatt, chief executive of the Anti-Defamation League, criticised Ruffalo’s remarks, and the Simon Wiesenthal Center praised Paramount for “refusing to allow prejudice to masquerade as political or corporate criticism.” NBC News notes that Ruffalo apologised in 2021 for social media posts suggesting Israel was committing genocide, calling that characterisation “inaccurate, inflammatory and disrespectful.”
Ruffalo, who reprised his Hulk role in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, is among thousands of industry figures who have spoken against the consolidation.
Where the Paramount–Warner Bros merger stands
The row is the latest turn in a merger that was already paused. The US Department of Justice approved the deal in June, but it remains on hold while a federal judge considers an antitrust challenge from 12 states. If it has not closed by 30 September, Paramount Skydance faces around $7m a day in fees owed to Warner Bros shareholders. IGN reports the deal could stay in limbo until the legal process concludes, or June 2027 at the latest.
tbreak has tracked the merger since it was paused: [Paramount and Warner Bros. Deal Officially Delayed, Could Remain on Hold Until June 2027](/paramount-warner-bros-deal-paused-2027/), and the [court freeze that put it on ice](/judge-pause-paramount-warner-bros-deal/). The Guardian has the full exchange. Ruffalo’s most recent outing as the Hulk helped [Spider-Man: Brand New Day past $2bn worldwide](/spider-man-brand-new-day-2-billion-box-office/).
Who is Mark Ruffalo?
An American actor best known as the Hulk in the Marvel films, with roles in Spotlight, Poor Things and Shutter Island. He is also a prominent political activist.
Who owns Paramount?
David Ellison, whose father Larry Ellison — co-founder of Oracle — agreed to backstop about $40.4bn in equity financing for the Warner Bros deal.
When will the Paramount–Warner Bros merger close?
Not confirmed. A federal judge is considering a 12-state antitrust challenge; if the legal process runs its course, the deal could close as late as June 2027.
