California Attorney General Rob Bonta said on Tuesday there are no settlement talks scheduled with Paramount Skydance to resolve an antitrust lawsuit that seeks to block the studio’s proposed $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros Discovery.
Bonta canceled a scheduled Monday meeting with Paramount representatives after confidential details of settlement discussions were leaked to the press, calling the disclosure "unacceptable." At a public safety press conference, he stated that if Paramount addresses the leak and engages in good faith, the state remains open to discussions.
The lawsuit, filed by Bonta and the Writer’s Guild of America, represents one of the final regulatory obstacles to the merger. Paramount faces escalating costs and fees if the case proceeds to trial, currently scheduled for March. Legal analysts note that recent court rulings in favor of the plaintiffs have strengthened the states’ negotiating position.
Paramount Skydance denied responsibility for the leaks, while a company spokesperson reiterated concerns over "public discussions and misreporting" surrounding the deal. The antitrust case remains unresolved as both sides prepare for litigation.
