Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has called upon California Attorney General Rob Bonta to “find common ground” with Paramount in the hopes of settling his lawsuit against the studio’s acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery.
Bass made her thoughts known about the ongoing lawsuit during a press conference on Thursday.
“While there are varying perspectives on the proposed transaction, today we are united around one clear message: It is time for all parties to come to the table,” Bass said. “
“The continued uncertainty is not good for workers, not good for productions and not good for the future of this industry. Too many productions in L.A. are now at a standstill, which means Angelenos are out of a job and they’re not getting paid,” she added.
Bass hinged her position on the “thousands of hardworking union members” suffering potential job loss if the lawsuit keeps the deal stalled for an extended period of time or leads to Paramount fleeing California.
“As mayor, I cannot stand by while the job security of thousands of hardworking union members is being put at risk. That is why we are calling on Paramount, Attorney General Rob Bonta, and all relevant parties to come together, engage directly and in good faith, and work urgently to find common ground and keep our vital industry in Los Angeles at a time when film and television production is already facing significant challenges,” Bass continued. “We cannot afford prolonged uncertainty that delays investment, puts production on hold, and creates greater instability for thousands of workers and family.”
According to the New York Post, sources indicated that David Ellison has been considering Austin since California Attorney General Rob Bonta ratcheted up his lawsuit.
“While Paramount has not formally committed to the plans, sources said the entertainment giant and its partners are in advanced negotiations and zeroing in on the Bluebonnet Business Center — a hulking commercial development in the east of the city — as a primary target,” it reported.
“Located at 9219 Old Manor Road, the sprawling industrial park’s crown jewel is Building 4, a 415,000-square-foot cross-dock mega facility,” the Post added. “By comparison, Paramount’s legendary lot in Los Angeles — whose soundstages have produced iconic films.
At least one insider accused Rob Bonta of “trying to kill Hollywood” by emphatically blocking the merger.
The big theaters chains – AMC, Cinemark, and Regal – have all backed the merger and called for a settlement. Xavier Becerra, the Democrat nominee for California governor, also called on Bonta to work out a settlement last week.
“I hope it settles before court. It is easier to stand in a conference room and settle than it is to stand in a courtroom. I say that having had to stand both in the conference room and in the courtroom. You get way more done in the conference room than you do in the courtroom,” he said.