Jane Fonda is weighing in on Netflix‘s $82.7 billion deal to acquire Warner Bros.
On Friday evening, Fonda took to Instagram in a joint post with the Committee for the First Amendment. The statement called the news of the deal “an alarming escalation of the consolidation that threatens the entire entertainment industry, the democratic public it serves and the first amendment.”
The statement continued, “Make no mistake, this is not just a catastrophic business deal that could destroy our creative industry. It is a constitutional crisis exacerbated by the administration’s demonstrated disregard for the law.”
The two-time Oscar winner then addressed the Department of Justice. “We demand that you categorically refrain from using that power to extract political concessions that influence content decisions or chill free speech,” the post reads in part.
Fonda’s statement also called out Netflix and other companies that may become involved in the “destructive” deal. “As stewards of an industry built on free expression, you have a responsibility to defend our rights, not trade them away to pad your pockets. We know there will be enormous pressure to acquiesce, it is critical you stay strong,” she added.”
With Netflix purchasing Warner Bros., the deal would give the streamer control of Warner Bros.’ film and TV studios, as well as HBO and HBO Max, and is subject to regulatory conditions. “By combining Warner Bros.’ incredible library of shows and movies — from timeless classics like Casablanca and Citizen Kane to modern favorites like Harry Potter and Friends — with our culture-defining titles like Stranger Things, KPop Demon Hunters and Squid Game, we’ll be able to do that even better,” Ted Sarandos, Netflix’s co-CEO and former chief content officer, said in a Friday morning press release. “Together, we can give audiences more of what they love and help define the next century of storytelling.”
According to the same statement, the company “expects” to continue releasing Warner Bros. films theatrically.
See the full statement below.
www.hollywoodreporter.com
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