Tony Gilroy Blasts Paramount-Warner Bros. Deal: 'In the Name of Venture Capital'

At the 64th New York Film Festival world premiere of his drama Behemoth!, filmmaker Tony Gilroy criticized Paramount's pending takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery.

According to Variety, Gilroy stated that the merger will "destroy" a "healthy and beautiful business" in "the name of venture capital," calling the outcome "tragic." His remarks, delivered around the festival's Centerpiece presentation at Alice Tully Hall, make him the latest creative figure to challenge the transaction as it nears completion.

A Hundred-Billion-Dollar Realignment

On September 30, a federal judge approved the antitrust settlement clearing Paramount's acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery ahead of an expected October 6 closing date. Trade reports cite the transaction's value between $110 billion and $111 billion.

David Ellison announced that the combined corporate entity will be named Skydance. Ellison has characterized the combined company as a "creative-first home for bold, quality storytelling" and pledged to release at least 30 theatrical films annually. Post-merger film leadership across both Warner Bros. and Paramount is reported to be overseen by Paramount Pictures co-chairs Dana Goldberg and Josh Greenstein.

Creative Pushback and Leadership Exits

Gilroy's critique follows news that Warner Bros. Motion Pictures heads Michael De Luca and Pamela Abdy are leaving the studio as operations consolidate under Paramount leadership. Actor Mark Ruffalo previously warned in an interview that the consolidation would stifle creativity, threaten free speech, and cost industry jobs.

The premiere of Behemoth! marks Gilroy's first feature directorial project in 14 years, following 2012's The Bourne Legacy. The film stars Pedro Pascal as a cellist working in film scoring alongside Olivia Wilde, Eva Victor, Alexa Swinton, and Will Arnett. Distributed by Searchlight Pictures, it is scheduled for theatrical release on December 4.