November 4, 2025
Popcorn meets politics
Paramount blacklists actors for pro-Palestinian activism
Fans split: boycott letter sparks “Hollywood blacklist” panic
TLDR: Paramount’s new leadership is reportedly blacklisting talent deemed “overtly antisemitic,” sparking fears it targets actors who backed a pro‑Palestinian boycott. Comments split between defending free speech, threatening union action, and mocking a MAGA‑tilt—all asking how far studios should go in policing artists and activism.
The internet lit up after a Variety report said new Paramount boss David Ellison is drawing a list of talent deemed “overtly antisemitic”—and commenters instantly connected it to stars who signed a pro‑Palestinian boycott letter (here) like Emma Stone, Javier Bardem, Mark Ruffalo, and Joaquin Phoenix. Cue the culture‑war popcorn: some cried blacklist, others shouted corporate freedom. One user snarked about “Scorched Earth Hasbara round 2,” insisting PR spin won’t fix reputations. Another warned “union strike incoming?”, imagining Hollywood labor turning the screws if studios start punishing activism. A long post lamented that cancel‑culture tools are now “turned against” the left—ironically, the very playbook many once cheered. There was an ugly “joke” that crossed the line and was promptly roasted, while a curious commenter asked which of the named actors are even Jewish, highlighting confusion over what gets labeled “antisemitic.” The drama escalated with claims Ellison wants more “America‑centric” content and a MAGA‑friendly vibe, and fans joked about a “MAGA of Duty” movie after Peter Berg and Taylor Sheridan’s names popped up. Whether this list exists or not, the crowd is divided: free speech vs. studio values, art vs. politics—and everyone’s refreshing for receipts.
Key Points
- •Variety reports Paramount has created a list of talent it will not work with, deemed “overtly antisemitic,” “xenophobic,” or “homophobic.”
- •Paramount publicly rejected a pro-Palestinian cultural boycott letter in September; Warner Bros. later took the same position.
- •The boycott pledge, organized by Film Workers for Palestine, had roughly 1,200 signatories, including prominent actors and filmmakers.
- •Variety is cited as saying David Ellison aims to make Paramount’s content more “America-centric,” geared toward “the middle of the country.”
- •Peter Berg is tapped to direct a Paramount Call of Duty film written by Taylor Sheridan; Ellison is reportedly eyeing a Warner Bros. takeover.