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Warner Bros. to take the stage at CinemaCon as filmmakers oppose Paramount acquisition
Filmmakers and theater owners oppose the proposed Paramount acquisition, while supporters say the combined studio would expand releases to about 30 a year.
- Over 1,000 industry professionals signed an open letter Monday opposing the Paramount-Warner Bros. merger, launching a campaign at CinemaCon 2026 in Las Vegas via BlocktheMerger.com.
- Michael O'Leary, president and CEO of Cinema United, reiterated opposition Tuesday, warning consolidation limits competition. "We believe this transaction will be harmful to exhibition, consumers and the entire industry," O'Leary said.
- While filmmakers Denis Villeneuve and J.J. Abrams signed the opposition letter, director James Cameron supports the deal, stating, "I'm a supporter of it, I know it's controversial."
- Greg Marcus of Marcus Theaters noted concerns over ticket prices and studio power concentration, while O'Leary confirmed regulators now hold the decision as Ellison targets third-quarter closure.
- Cinema United continues advocating for longer theatrical windows; the average window reached 37 days in 2025, but O'Leary argues a 45-day minimum is necessary to sustain the box office.
19 Articles
19 Articles
Cinema Giants Clash: Paramount Skydance's Bold Move for Warner Bros Discovery
Cinema Giants Clash: Paramount Skydance's Bold Move for Warner Bros Discovery The potential acquisition of Warner Bros Discovery by Paramount Skydance, valued at $110 billion, has sparked significant controversy within the cinema industry. The Cinema United President, Michael O'Leary, voiced concerns at the CinemaCon convention, stating that the merger would consolidate too much power, affecting both competition and consumer choice.The acquisiti…
Associated Press News
Warner Bros. to take the stage at CinemaCon as filmmakers oppose Paramount acquisition
Warner Bros. is set to showcase its upcoming films at CinemaCon in Las Vegas on Tuesday. The event comes amid its much-debated potential merger with Paramount.
Cinema United CEO Warns Of Concentrating Market Power In Paramount, Warner Bros. Merger – CinemaCon
President and CEO of Cinema United, Michael O’Leary put the biggest annual gathering of theater owners on alert today about the risks of “concentrating marketplace power in the hands of a smaller group of distributors that dictate the terms, windows, scheduling, screen-placement of movies, and access to historic film catalogs.” Noting “the ongoing efforts to […]
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