George Clooney defends Mark Ruffalo over Paramount-Warner Bros. merger controversy

George Clooney has defended Mark Ruffalo’s right to speak freely amid the controversy surrounding the proposed Paramount-Warner Bros. merger, calling the situation “ridiculous” during a press conference at the Venice Film Festival.

Clooney addressed the issue on September 2, 2026, while in Venice to receive the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement. Speaking to reporters, the actor said he supported Ruffalo’s ability to express his views, even when he personally disagreed with them.

“I support Mark Ruffalo’s ability to speak freely,” Clooney said, describing the situation as “ridiculous”. He added that speech should not be banned and stressed the importance of free expression in a democracy.

Ruffalo became embroiled in controversy after speaking out against Paramount’s proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. His criticism of the deal and comments concerning Oracle’s relationship with Israel’s military technology industry prompted Paramount to accuse him of using antisemitic rhetoric.

Ruffalo rejected the accusation and maintained that his criticism was directed at political and corporate actions rather than Jewish people or the Jewish community. More than 170 Jewish artists, academics and public figures have since signed an open letter defending the actor and rejecting the antisemitism allegations.

Clooney also shared his own concerns about the Paramount-Warner Bros. deal, although he acknowledged that the proposed merger is complicated. The actor questioned whether the transaction makes financial sense and expressed concern about the potential impact of media consolidation on Hollywood workers.

“I don’t see how the merger financially ends up making sense for the people who are trying to do it,” Clooney said. He added that he becomes concerned whenever one large company absorbs another because consolidation can result in significant job losses.

The proposed deal has become one of the biggest talking points in Hollywood as the industry continues to grapple with increasing consolidation among major entertainment companies. Clooney’s comments add another high-profile voice to the debate over what the merger could mean for filmmakers, actors and other workers across the industry.

During his Venice appearance, Clooney also discussed broader concerns about media ownership, artificial intelligence and the future of journalism. He warned about the growing influence of wealthy individuals over major media organisations and raised concerns about AI and deepfake technology making it increasingly difficult for audiences to distinguish between authentic and fabricated content.

Clooney’s remarks came as he celebrated his decades-long relationship with the Venice Film Festival. The actor, who is 65, was honoured with the festival’s Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement, recognising his extensive career as an actor, director and producer.

His defence of Ruffalo places him among a growing number of Hollywood figures who have spoken publicly about the controversy, while his criticism of the proposed Paramount-Warner Bros. merger highlights wider concerns about consolidation and its potential consequences for the entertainment industry.