Mark Ruffalo Calls Out James Cameron Over Netflix’s Warner Bros. Discovery Deal

Mark Ruffalo responded publicly to James Cameron after the “Avatar” director warned that Netflix’s planned acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery could seriously hurt the movie industry.

Cameron made the remarks in a letter to Senator Mike Lee, who leads the Senate subcommittee on antitrust. In the letter, he wrote that if the deal goes through, “Theaters will close. Fewer films will be made. The job losses will spiral.”

He added that Netflix’s business model “is directly at odds with the theatrical film production and exhibition business, which employs hundreds of thousands of Americans. It is therefore directly at odds with the business model of the Warner Brothers movie division, one of the few remaining major movie studios.”

Ruffalo fired back on Instagram Threads, questioning why Cameron is only highlighting Netflix. “So… the next question to Mr Cameron should be this: Are you also against the monopolization that a Paramount acquisition would create? Or is it just that of Netflix?” he wrote. Ruffalo also called for clarity on the matter for the broader filmmaking community.

“I think the answer would be very interesting for the film community to hear and one that should be asked immediately. Is Mike Lee against the Paramount sale as well? Is he as concerned about that as he is the Netflix sale? We all want to know. Speaking on behalf of hundreds of thousands of film makers worldwide,” he added.

View on Threads

The Netflix deal to acquire Warner Bros. studios and HBO Max is currently valued at $83 billion. On February 17, Warner Bros. opened a seven-day window allowing Paramount Skydance to make a competing offer. Shareholders of Warner Bros. Discovery are set to vote on the Netflix acquisition on March 20.

Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos also addressed concerns, telling Variety that the theatrical release strategy for Warner Bros. films will largely remain the same. “Your listeners can watch us now, cut a finger and do a blood oath together,” he said, emphasizing that Netflix intends to maintain the traditional theatrical rollout.

This exchange highlights the tension between streaming giants and traditional theaters. It raises questions about how consolidation in Hollywood could affect the future of filmmaking and distribution.

While Cameron’s concerns about theaters are valid, streaming platforms like Netflix have also opened new opportunities for filmmakers and audiences. Do you think the Netflix-Warner Bros. deal will harm theaters, or is this fear overblown? Share your thoughts in the comments.