# Hollywood Studios Threaten to Leave California for Florida

> Major studios threaten to move from California to Florida unless lawsuit against merger is dropped.
- Title: Hollywood Studios Threaten to Leave California for Florida
- Summary: Major studios threaten to move from California to Florida unless lawsuit against merger is dropped. Paramount CEO David Ellison threatens to relocate studios…
- Keywords: paramount, warner bros, california attorney general, rob bonta, merger, florida, hollywood studios, nfl, Hollywood, Studios, Threaten, Leave
- Source: The Hollywood Reporter — https://hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/hollywood-major-studios-threatened-california-florida-1236705867
- Author: Thomas Doherty
- Published: 2026-09-19T13:15:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: paramount, warner bros, california attorney general, rob bonta, merger, florida, hollywood studios, nfl
## Hollywood's Origins
Southern California attracted filmmakers with mild weather, diverse scenery, and open shop policies.

> the mild, sunny weather conducive to outdoor shooting
## The 1934 Threat
Hollywood studios threatened to leave california for florida in 1934.

> the dread prospect of a hostile business environment had the major studios contemplating
## Upton Sinclair
Upton Sinclair ran for california governor in 1934 with a plan to control the economy.

> i say there is no excuse for poverty in a civilized and wealthy state like ours
## Sinclair's Campaign
Sinclair proposed state control of banking, agriculture, and industry.

> the old order will have crumbled like a dry-rotted log
## Hollywood's Panic
Studio heads organized to stop Sinclair from winning the election.

> the campaign against upton sinclair is the most effective piece of political humdingery
## Fake Newsreels
Hollywood created fake newsreels to sway voters against Sinclair.

> the newsreels which sinclair has branded fake are not fake
## Sinclair's Loss
Sinclair lost the election by 250,000 votes to Merriam.

> the victor was known by midnight the same day
## Modern Threat
Paramount CEO David Ellison threatens to move studios to florida unless lawsuit is dropped.

> the loss of an estimated 60,000 jobs and, perhaps, a green light signaling a broader exodus
## Florida's Hope
Florida offered tax exemptions to studios seeking to relocate.

> voters approved a measure to give motion picture studios tax exempt status
## The Real Threat
Hollywood's threat to leave california is a bluff.

> where would they get their mountains, and their eucalyptus trees
## Why Move?
Hollywood studios want to avoid california's mosquitoes and heat.

> the mosquitoes
## The Outcome
Hollywood stays in california despite threats.

> hollywood is a state of mind
## The Stakes
A merger could lead to 60,000 job losses and studio exodus.

> the loss of an estimated 60,000 jobs
## The Real Reason
Hollywood's threat is a bluff due to relocation costs.

> the enormous cost of relocation
## The Future
Hollywood may move to florida if lawsuit is dropped.

> the studios never really were going to leave the golden state
## The Takeaway
Paramount CEO threatens to move studios to florida unless lawsuit is dropped.

> the loss of an estimated 60,000 jobs and, perhaps, a green light signaling a broader exodus
## Key takeaway

Paramount CEO David Ellison threatens to relocate studios to Florida if California attorney general Rob Bonta drops lawsuit preventing Paramount and Warner Bros. merger.