Paramount Condemns Mark Ruffalo for Antisemitic Stereotypes Amid Warner Bros. Merger Dispute

Paramount Studios issued a strong statement on Saturday condemning actor Mark Ruffalo for posting accusations against the company amid its planned acquisition of Warner Bros. The dispute arose after Ruffalo shared an old video of Paramount board member Safra Katz discussing alleged use of "very scary technologies" by Oracle to assist the Israeli military following the October 7 attacks. Ruffalo called Oracle founder Larry Ellison a "classic oligarch" and warned against the merger proposed by Ellison's son, David. He further accused the deal of enabling "genocide" and an "apartheid system" supported by Oracle, language Paramount described as antisemitic stereotypes that are false and diminish the real suffering those terms represent.

Paramount emphasized it does not tolerate prejudice of any kind and said the accusations reveal the true motives of some opponents of the merger. The company urged lowering tensions and expressed commitment to producing quality content while welcoming all creators without blacklists. Ruffalo, known for his Marvel role as the Hulk, has been vocal in Hollywood against the Warner Bros.-Paramount merger and previously participated in Artists4Ceasefire, advocating for a ceasefire in Gaza. He was seen wearing a support pin at the recent Oscars.

This incident marks another controversy involving Ruffalo's criticism of Israeli policies. Paramount’s statement concluded with a call to de-escalate rhetoric and focus on constructive dialogue, signaling it will not yield to political pressure regarding its creative choices.