Paramount blacklists A-listers over xenophobia, homophobia, antisemitism: report

Paramount has reportedly created an internal “blacklist” of actors and actresses the studio prefers to avoid because of views deemed problematic, including rhetoric interpreted as “overtly antisemitic,” “xenophobic,” or “homophobic.”

According to Variety, a number of studio executives have flagged talent who have made public statements on issues such as the war in Gaza or support for former President Donald Trump. Paramount previously drew attention in September when it publicly condemned a letter signed by many A-list celebrities that called for a boycott of Israeli film institutions. In its statement, the studio said it condemned “silencing individual creative artists based on their nationality.”

Variety reported Paramount insiders saying there is no formal list, but decisions increasingly factor in how public talent is perceived. One source told the Daily Mail: “For every show or movie we buy, there are 60 or 70 we don't. We consider everything — including the stars who are attached.”

“We're mindful of polarizing celebrities, the ones who might create controversy. If we see a project starring Susan Sarandon or Mark Ruffalo, that's not saying we won't buy it, but it has to be a really good project we can justify,” the source added. “We'll work with people like Ramy Youssef or Pedro Pascal, but their outspoken views make us take a beat before spending money. Emma Stone signed that letter, but we'd be stupid not to consider her.”

The report links the studio’s shift in approach to its new boss, David Ellison, who took control of Paramount after the merger of Skydance Media and Paramount/Paramount Global. Ellison is an ally of the Trump administration and is believed to be working to reposition the studio toward a broader audience, with observers pointing to Bari Weiss’ appointment as Editor-in-Chief at CBS News as an example.