Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos testifying during a Senate Judiciary subcommittee on Antitrust hearing on the potential Netflix Warner Bros merger, in Washington, DC on February 3, 2026. Nathan Posner/Anadolu via Getty Images Share on Facebook Share on X Google Preferred Share to Flipboard Show additional share options Share on LinkedIn Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share on Tumblr Share on Whats App Send an Email Print the Article Post a Comment James Cameron was certainly helping out David Ellison when penning a Feb. 10 letter to Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) opining as to why it would be disastrous for the movie business if Netflix were to close its $82.7 billion deal to buy Warner Bros. The merger battle has intensified on all fronts in recent days, capped by Paramount - which began plotting a hostile takeover when the Warner Bros. Discovery board went with Netflix's bid in December - submitting a sweetened offer that puts it back in the race to buy all of Warners if the board decides it is a "company superior offer." Related Stories Business Paramount Says Warner Bros. Discovery Would Be "Accelerant" to Its Goals as It Reports Earnings TV Genesis Rodriguez on Her 'Night Agent' Future and What to Expect From Next Season of 'Lioness' Meanwhile, Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos is off to Washington, D.C., for a meeting Thursday at the White House, sources confirm. Trump's schedule lists a 3 p.m. ET private meeting in the Oval Office that is closed to the press. The most revealing spat in terms of Hollywood circles was when Cameron's letter came to light on Jan. 19, days after he'd sent it to Lee. In the letter, Cameron positions Netflix's acquisition of Warner Bros. as a bad deal that will reduce the number of theatrical releases at a perilous time for ailing exhibitors, take away consumer choice and reduce the number of buyers who can invest in projects. "I am but a humble movie farmer," Cameron wrote. "And I see my future creativity and productivity directly threatened by this proposed sale. Mr. Sarandos is a good person and a clever business leader and innovator, but the goals of his company are directly opposed to the health of the cinema marketplace." Sarandos addressed Cameron immediately, telling Fox Business Network on Feb. 20: "I'm particularly surprised and disappointed that James chose to be part of the Paramount disinformation campaign that's been going on for months about this deal." He also revealed that he spoke with Cameron around Christmas and discussed his pledge to a 45-day exclusive window. He said Cameron didn't raise any concerns or objections, but instead discussed headphones he was developing for the home. During a D.C. hearing, Sarandos also said he is committed to giving Warner Bros. titles a 45-day exclusive run in theaters, which is now the industry norm, excluding Disney. "This is not a tentative goal or a flexible guideline; it's a hard number and a firm commitment," he reiterated in a follow-up note sent to Lee's office after he learned of Cameron's letter. Cameron deftly recalled some of the Sarandos' more memorable remarks when talking about why the theatrical experience doesn't matter to the Netflix exec. But in Sarandos' defense, theatrical isn't part of the streamer's business model, outside of qualifying a movie for awards purposes and keeping filmmakers happy. Operating Warner Bros. Pictures as a separate studio with a worldwide distribution and marketing operation would be additive for Netflix, and a new source of cash. It would also have access to premium video on-demand (aka buying and renting movies online), which can be worth tens of millions of dollars. Before the pandemic, the theatrical window was anywhere from 72 days to 90 days, since PVOD didn't exist. It has narrowed dramatically since then. Many studio movies go to PVOD even earlier, depending on their size and scape. The official markers are 17 days, 24 days, 29 days and 38 days - or after the third, fourth, fifth and sixth weekends, respectively - depending on their size and scope. And it's all thanks to Jeff Shell, who was at NBCUniversal at the time only to be hired by David Ellison to serve as president of Paramount. Sources on Capitol Hill, where the Judiciary Committee has oversight of Lee's subcommittee, said the subcommittee has received a robust number of letters in support of both bidders from all quarters of the business, including stars, directors and producers. The source wouldn't divulge any names, but one star who is likely to have sent correspondence to Lee or other lawmakers is Mark Ruffalo. While known for being an avid activist, he surprised many when taking Cameron to task in a social media post. "So ... the next question to Mr Cameron should be this... 'Are you also against the monopolization that a Paramount acquisition would create? Or is it just that of Netflix?'" the Oscar-nominated actor wrote on Threads Feb. 21. "I think the answer would be very interesting for the film community to hear and