Tom Cruise vs. George Clooney: Opposing Stances on Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery Merger, the Largest in Hollywood History at 1.152 Trillion Won

*This content was translated by AI.

Amidst the massive merger between Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) shaking Hollywood, Tom Cruise and George Clooney have taken diametrically opposed positions.

This merger is the largest corporate mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in Hollywood history, with a total scale of 111 billion dollars (approximately 152 trillion won). David Ellison, chairman of Paramount Skydance, promised to produce 30 films annually for the next three years as a condition for the merger's success, thereby garnering support from theater chains.

Tom Cruise was the first to express his stance. Appearing on "The Pat McAfee Show" on the 2nd (local time), he evaluated the merger as a "great thing" and clearly stated his active support. He said, "The people in this studio are not just industry colleagues; they are like family to me," adding, "I want to join forces with everyone to help make those 30 films."

He also stated, "From Iñárritu, Spielberg, Nolan, and myself, we want to give the opportunities we have enjoyed to all writers, directors, and producers." Regarding Ellison's promise of 30 films, he expressed confidence by saying, "They will definitely produce those 30 films."

In contrast, George Clooney took a skeptical stance. At the Venice International Film Festival on the 2nd, while receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award (Golden Lion), he told reporters, "I don't understand how this makes financial sense for those pushing this merger either," and added, "There is always concern when large companies swallow others." He explained, "The reason I worry whenever large corporations merge is that it ultimately leads to many people losing their jobs." While not directly targeting Cruise, he raised questions about who, including Ellison, would actually benefit from this merger.

This merger is currently stalled by an antitrust lawsuit filed by attorneys general in 12 states, with a federal trial scheduled for March 2 of next year. Clooney also expressed his support for actor Mark Ruffalo, who has voiced opposition to the merger. Ruffalo had previously criticized the merger and the Ellison family but faced accusations of antisemitism from Paramount; Clooney stated, "I support Mark Ruffalo's right to speak freely. This is absurd. We will not silence expression. I believe in freedom of speech even for opinions I completely disagree with."

Clooney had previously added his name to an open letter supporting Ruffalo alongside Joel Coen, Joaquin Phoenix, Todd Haynes, and others. On this day, while describing Ruffalo as a "good person," he neither agreed nor refuted his specific claims.

Meanwhile, both Cruise and Clooney are top stars who have long represented Hollywood, and it is considered rare for them to take publicly divergent positions on industry issues as they have done this time.

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*This content was translated by AI.