Brief
Tony Gilroy warns Paramount‑Warner merger will ruin mid‑budget filmmaking
Gilroy said the deal threatens the “healthy and beautiful business” that supports adult‑oriented dramas like his new film “Behemoth!”.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Director Tony Gilroy condemned the pending Paramount‑Warner Bros. Discovery merger as a tragic assault on Hollywood’s mid‑budget film sector during the world premiere of his new movie “Behemoth!” at the 64th New York Film Festival, Variety reported.
What happened
“Behemoth!”, a $36 million adult‑oriented drama starring Pedro Pascal, opened the festival on Oct 3, 2026. While introducing the film, Gilroy warned that the merger, announced by David Ellison and set to close on Oct 6, would dismantle the “healthy and beautiful business” that has sustained filmmakers for decades.
What the report adds
Variety noted that the merger will place Paramount and Warner Bros. under a new company called Skydance, consolidating the traditional “Big Five” studios into four owners. Industry figures such as producer Sanne Wohlenberg expressed concern that the consolidation could severely limit creative possibilities for filmmakers.
What was said
Gilroy told Variety, “The business is solid, and to destroy the architecture that made it so in the name of venture capital, it’s tragic.” He also praised the festival lineup, calling it “a freakin’ lineup! Holy sh*t.”
How it came about
The merger follows a series of regulatory approvals, including a U.S. judge clearing the $110 billion deal on Sept 30 and the FCC allowing foreign sovereign‑wealth investment in Paramount. Gilroy’s remarks echo earlier Felo News coverage of the rebranding to Skydance and the legal settlements that cleared the path for the Oct 6 closing.
Key facts
- Tony Gilroy criticized the Paramount‑Warner merger at the New York Film Festival. (variety.com)
- The merger is set to close on Oct 6, 2026, creating a company named Skydance. (variety.com)
- "Behemoth!" was produced on a $36 million budget and stars Pedro Pascal. (variety.com)
Sources
- [1] variety.com — originally reported as “Tony Gilroy Says Paramount-Warner Bros. Merger Will ‘Destroy’ a ‘Healthy and Beautiful Business’ in ‘The Name of Venture Capital’: ‘It’s Tragic’”
