Variety reports that an anonymous group of major filmmakers has sent a letter to Congress warning of severe consequences if Netflix succeeds in acquiring Warner Bros. Discovery.
The message arrives the same day Paramount formally challenged the fairness and regulatory viability of Netflix’s bid, escalating industry resistance to the streamer’s push for WBD.
Anonymous Filmmakers Warn of “Meltdown” if Netflix Wins
According to Variety, the letter was emailed to lawmakers from both parties by a group calling themselves “concerned feature film producers.”
The filmmakers left the letter unsigned, not “out of cowardice,” they wrote, but out of fear of retaliation due to Netflix’s power as a buyer and distributor.
A source confirmed to Variety that the group includes multiple A-list filmmakers.
Fears Netflix Would Squeeze Theatrical Releases
The letter outlines three major concerns, the biggest being that Netflix could “destroy the theatrical film marketplace.” Filmmakers argue the streamer would gain enough market power to shorten or eliminate theatrical windows for Warner Bros. films in favor of a combined Netflix–HBO Max platform.
Variety reports the group believes Netflix could cut theatrical exclusivity to as little as two weeks. Another insider denied that timeline, but the fear remains: filmmakers warn Netflix would “hold a noose around the theatrical marketplace,” driving down revenue and shrinking the entire post-theatrical ecosystem.
Rival bidders Paramount and Comcast both operate major theatrical distribution arms. Paramount has already pledged that, if it acquires WBD, Warner Bros. would remain a standalone studio producing at least 14 theatrical films per year.
Netflix’s Track Record Cited as Red Flag
The letter also cites numerous past comments by Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos arguing that theaters are not central to Netflix’s business model, including his 2023 statement, “Driving folks to a theater is just not our business.”
Filmmakers Urge Congress to Act
The group urges Congress to publicly oppose the acquisition and subject the deal to the “highest level of antitrust scrutiny,” warning that millions of jobs and the future of theatrical filmmaking are at risk.
This growing pushback adds to Paramount’s argument that Netflix would struggle to pass regulatory review, intensifying the fight over who will ultimately control Warner Bros. Discovery.
