Florence Pugh moves to block Paramount merger with Warner Bros

The Hollywood star, who was born and grew up in Oxford, is known for her roles in 2019’s Little Women, 2022’s Don’t Worry Darling and 2023’s Oppenheimer.

Ms Pugh also starred in Midsommar back in 2019, as well as last year’s Dune: Part Two and We Live in Time with Andrew Garfield.

She is also known for playing Yelena Belova in the Marvel Cinematic Universe in Black Widow, reprising her role in the Hawkeye series and Thunderbolts.

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Now, Ms Pugh is the latest in a long list of Hollywood stars to sign their name backing an open letter opposing the planned Paramount–Warner Bros. merger.

She is among 2,000 Hollywood figures to do so, with high-profile names like Pedro Pacal, Edward Norton, Joaquin Phoenix, Ben Stiller and Kristen Stewart.

The letter, published on Monday, April 13 by the New York Times and on BlocktheMerger.com, reads: “We are deeply concerned by indications of support for this merger that prioritise the interests of a small group of powerful stakeholders over the broader public good.

“The integrity, independence, and diversity of our industry would be grievously compromised. Competition is essential for a healthy economy and a healthy democracy. So is thoughtful regulation and enforcement.”

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Paramount and Skydance announced plans in February for a proposed $111 billion takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery, following a contest with Netflix to buy the historic studio.

In a detailed statement responding to the letter, Paramount said: “We hear and understand the concerns that some in our creative community have raised and respect the commitment to protecting and expanding creativity.”

The company added: “We have been clear in our commitments to do just that: increasing output to a minimum of 30 high-quality feature films annually with full theatrical releases, continuing to license content, and preserving iconic brands with independent creative leadership —ensuring creators have more avenues for their work, not fewer.”