Mark Ruffalo Claps Back at James Cameron After ‘Avatar’ Director Slammed Netflix-Warner Bros. Deal

Mark Ruffalo has shared his thoughts on James Cameron‘s letter in opposition to Netflix buying Warner Bros. Discovery, with the filmmaker instead sharing support for Paramount to acquire the company.

via: Deadline

The 4x Oscar-nominated actor called out the Avatar writer/director over his recent letter claiming that the deal would be “disastrous for the theatrical motion picture business,” asking if Cameron feels the same about a potential Paramount sale.

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

Ruffalo continued, “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 filmmakers world wide.”

In his letter to Rep. Mike Lee, Cameron claimed that Ted Sarandos’ goals for Netflix “are directly opposed to the health of the cinema marketplace.”

“I am but a humble movie farmer,” he wrote in part. “And I see my future creativity and productivity directly threatened by this proposed sale. I’m sure there are many in the motion picture community… writers, producers, directors, exhibitors, craft Guilds, film crew employees, and service providers who agree with me. Many will choose not to be as vocal as I am, because Netflix is a major employer into the foreseeable future.”

Cameron added, “But I know I speak for many. A vast groundswell, in fact. I hope you will consider my concerns as you further investigate this proposed transaction.”

Sarandos has since issued a rebuttal, claiming that Cameron’s letter “knowingly misrepresents our position and commitment to the theatrical release of Warner Bros. films.”

As Paramount attempts a hostile takeover of Warner Bros., the Netflix deal is officially under antitrust scrutiny from the Department of Justice, which announced an investigation into the purchase this weekend.

Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos is firing back at James Cameron‘s endorsement of Paramount in the bidding war for Warner Bros. Discovery.

“I respect Mr. Cameron enormously and I love his work,” Sarandos told Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) today in a letter (read below in full) refuting the Titanic director’s claims that Netflix’s $83 billion acquisition of most of WBD would be “disastrous for the theatrical motion picture business” and result in big job and soft power losses. “But his letter to you knowingly misrepresents our position and commitment to the theatrical release of Warner Bros. films,” the exec contends.

Cutting to the chase with MAGA loyalist Lee, Sarandos reiterated his “firm commitment” to a strong showing for WB in cinemas if the streamer beats back David Ellison and Parmount’s $108 billion hostile takeover bid, DC power plays (Hello MAGA) and lawsuits. “I also said the same thing to Mr. Cameron when we met on December 20, 2025, shortly after we announced our agreement to acquire Warner Bros.”

Then pitchman supreme Sarandos, who has been on a media tour this week that would put master marketers like Dwayne Johnson or Taylor Swift to shame, pulled back the curtain on his meet-up with Cameron.

“During that meeting we talked about Netflix’s plans for Warner Bros., including our 45-day commitment. Mr. Cameron was very supportive. If anything, he was more excited to talk about the at-home movie viewing glasses he is developing with Meta than exclusive windows for theatrical movies.”

While insisting that Netflix was suggesting a slim 17-day exhibition window, let’s just say, like the fact Cameron’s next movie is from Paramount, the Oscar winner didn’t bring those glasses up in his February 10 letter to Lee ripping the Netflix-WB merger.

As it stands now, Sarandos is set to respond next week to follow-up questions from the Lee chaired Senate Judiciary subcommittee on antitrust. Until then, read what the Netflix co-CEO wrote to Sen. Lee today about James Cameron’s critique and dire warnings: