MOVIE NEWS – The proposed merger between Netflix and Warner Bros. has already detonated the kind of shockwave across Hollywood that many expected, sparking strong reactions long before regulators have their final say. Celebrities are weighing in, DC Studios CEO James Gunn has publicly addressed the situation, and now the WGA, along with several other organizations, has taken a firm stand against the sale ever being completed.

Yesterday’s news that Netflix had beaten Paramount to the punch and moved into the final stages of acquiring one of the world’s biggest movie studios immediately set off a storm of opinions. Fans of the so-called Snyderverse are convinced the deal will somehow resurrect their god-like favorite and bring a new Justice League sequel to life, even though most of the original cast have clearly moved on. Some observers are calling it the death of cinema, while others are celebrating it as the best thing that could happen to a slate of long-stagnant Warner Bros. IPs.

In a blistering response, it was the Writers Guild of America’s turn to outline what they believe is at stake if the merger goes ahead, and there is no doubt about where they stand. In their statement, the guild declared: “The world’s largest streaming company swallowing one of its biggest competitors is what antitrust laws were designed to prevent. The outcome would eliminate jobs, push down wages, worsen conditions for all entertainment workers, raise prices for consumers, and reduce the volume and diversity of content for all viewers. Industry workers, along with the public, are already impacted by only a few powerful companies maintaining tight control over what consumers can watch on television, on streaming, and in theaters. This merger must be blocked.”

How Other Guilds Are Reacting to the Netflix/Warner Bros. Merger

There are many angles from which to view the union of two entertainment powerhouses, but the International Documentary Association (IDA) – a nonprofit advocacy group for documentary filmmakers – believes Netflix buying Warner Bros. would be nothing less than a “threat to nonfiction filmmakers.” In a statement shared via Deadline, the IDA warned: “Netflix’s proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery would profoundly damage the future of documentary filmmaking. It represents the consolidation of two of the main distributors of documentaries: Netflix and HBO Max.

“This mega-deal immediately threatens documentarians’ creative opportunities and their freedom to tell stories that need to be told. It will also drastically reduce the range and overall quality of documentaries available to audiences worldwide. Netflix’s overwhelming market dominance will inevitably stifle competition, inhibit free expression, and limit viewer choice.”

The Teamsters union also voiced its anger over what it calls the “greed-fueled consolidation of corporate power.” Their statement reads: “Teamsters will continue to challenge and call for the opposition across all levels of government and that antitrust enforcers reject this deal and any other deal seeking the consolidation of power and market.”

Not every guild has been quite so outspoken. The Directors Guild of America, headed by legendary filmmaker Christopher Nolan – one of the most vocal advocates of the large-scale theatrical experience – has stopped short of outright condemnation, but has made it clear that it intends to put its concerns directly to Netflix. A spokesperson said: “We believe that a vibrant, competitive industry — one that fosters creativity and encourages genuine competition for talent — is essential to safeguarding the careers and creative rights of directors and their teams. We will be meeting with Netflix to outline our concerns and better understand their vision for the future of the company.”

The Producers Guild of America has struck a similarly cautious tone, acknowledging that there is “rightful concern” among producers, and stressing that the Netflix deal must pass a kind of stress test to prove that it “protect producers’ livelihoods and real theatrical distribution, and fosters creativity, promotes opportunities for workers and artists, empowers consumers with choices, and upholds freedom of speech.”

Ultimately, whether this all becomes a story about the death of choice and competition or about revitalizing dormant franchises will depend heavily on how antitrust regulators interpret the risks. For now, though, Hollywood’s message is becoming clearer by the day: if the merger goes forward, it will not be without a serious fight.

Source: MovieWeb