Paramount reportedly blacklists actors amid studio restructure under David Ellison

Paramount is reportedly maintaining a blacklist of Hollywood actors as part of a broader restructuring under new leadership.

The studio, now led by David Ellison, has already undergone major shifts, including significant layoffs and ongoing discussions of a possible merger with Warner Bros. Discovery.

According to a report from Variety, Paramount has compiled a list of stars it will not collaborate with, citing behaviour deemed “overly antisemitic”, “xenophobic”, or “homophobic.” The report follows a series of political and cultural developments surrounding the studio’s stance on the Israel–Palestine conflict.

In September, Paramount was the first major studio to publicly oppose an open letter urging a boycott of Israeli film institutions accused of “genocide and apartheid against the Palestinian people.” Among the signatories were Emma Stone, Javier Bardem, Mark Ruffalo, Joaquin Phoenix, Ayo Edebiri, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Tilda Swinton, Emma D’Arcy, and Elliot Page. It remains unconfirmed whether any of these names appear on the alleged blacklist.

Observers have linked the studio’s position to Ellison family ties. Larry Ellison, David’s father and Oracle co-founder, is known to be a close friend of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and a major donor to Friends of the IDF. Larry Ellison’s relationship with former President Donald Trump has also influenced Paramount’s direction, with Trump’s administration previously approving the Paramount–Skydance merger.

Meanwhile, Paramount faces further challenges following reports that television creator Taylor Sheridan will depart for NBCUniversal despite his ongoing deal with Paramount through 2028. Sheridan’s exit marks a substantial creative shift for the studio, even as it continues to develop new successes, such as securing Stranger Things creators Matt and Ross Duffer from Netflix.

Between the reported blacklist and major creative changes, Paramount’s evolving leadership continues to reshape its future in Hollywood.