Mark Ruffalo Claps Back at James Cameron Over Netflix and Warner Bros. Discovery Comments

Mark Ruffalo fired back at James Cameron on Saturday after the “Avatar” director warned that Netflix buying Warner Bros. Discovery would be “disastrous for the theatrical motion picture business.” Cameron made his comments in a letter to Senator Mike Lee, who chairs the Senate subcommittee on antitrust.

Ruffalo responded on Instagram Threads, questioning Cameron’s focus. “So… the next question to Mr Cameron should be this,” he wrote. “Are you also against the monopolization that a Paramount acquisition would create? Or is it just that of Netflix?”

He added that the film community deserves clarity. “I think the answer would be very interesting for the film community to hear and one that should be asked immediately. Is Mike Lee against the Paramount sale as well? Is he as concerned about that as he is the Netflix sale? We all want to know. Speaking on behalf of hundreds of thousands of film makers worldwide,” Ruffalo said.

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The Netflix-Warner Bros. Discovery deal is currently valued at $83 billion. Warner Bros. opened a seven-day window on February 17, allowing Paramount Skydance to try and make a higher offer. Shareholders of Warner Bros. Discovery are set to vote on the Netflix acquisition on March 20.

In his letter, Cameron argued that Netflix acquiring Warner Bros. Discovery would hurt theaters and film production. “Theaters will close. Fewer films will be made. The job losses will spiral,” he wrote. He added, “The business model of Netflix is directly at odds with the theatrical film production and exhibition business, which employs hundreds of thousands of Americans. It is therefore directly at odds with the business model of the Warner Brothers movie division, one of the few remaining major movie studios.”

Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos recently told Variety that the company will maintain Warner Bros.’ theatrical release strategy. “Your listeners can watch us now, cut a finger and do a blood oath together,” he said, reaffirming that the rollout approach will “remain largely like it is today.”

This clash highlights how much tension exists between streaming platforms and traditional theaters. It also shows that big mergers in Hollywood are closely watched by both creators and lawmakers. Do you think Netflix buying Warner Bros. Discovery will hurt theaters, or will it be fine? Share your thoughts in the comments.