George Clooney Defends Mark Ruffalo’s ‘Ability to Speak Freely’ About Paramount-Warner Bros. Deal and Doesn’t See How the Merger ‘Financially Ends Up Making Sense’

George Clooney, a Golden Lion recipient at the Venice Film Festival, declined to endorse the merger between Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery during a press conference. He expressed concerns about the financial viability of the merger, stating, “I don’t see how the merger financially ends up making sense for the people who are trying to do it.”

Clooney’s remarks came amid a broader critique of media consolidation, with the actor warning of the potential job losses that often accompany large company acquisitions. He emphasized his support for free speech, including for critics like Mark Ruffalo, who has faced accusations of antisemitism for his dissenting views on the merger. “I support Mark Ruffalo’s ability to speak freely,” Clooney declared, stressing the importance of free expression even when it diverges from his personal beliefs.

Ruffalo’s comments, along with those of other industry figures like Joel Coen, Hannah Einbinder, Joaquin Phoenix, Sarah Sherman, and Todd Haynes, have spurred an open letter advocating for Ruffalo’s right to speak against the merger. Clooney’s stance aligns with a growing chorus of Hollywood voices questioning the implications of such consolidations on journalism and employment in the entertainment industry.