Cinema United Reverses Stance, Urges Settlement in Paramount–Warner Bros. Discovery Merger

Cinema United, which advocates for movie theaters, has changed its position regarding the $111 billion merger of Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery. In a letter sent on Tuesday, president Michael O'Leary and board chair Mike Bowers called on CEO David Ellison and California Attorney General Rob Bonta to discuss a resolution for the ongoing lawsuit. Previously, Cinema United had backed 12 state attorneys general in their efforts to block the merger. The letter emphasizes recent box office achievements and expresses concerns that uncertainty could stifle progress. It proposes four conditions for the merger, such as ensuring theatrical releases and preventing increases in rental terms. This change in stance follows endorsements from major theater chains and warnings from IATSE and the Directors Guild of America about the antitrust trial scheduled for March 2027.