Paramount Global on Wednesday demanded that the Writers Guild of America and a coalition of state attorneys general post a substantial bond to cover costs tied to their antitrust lawsuit against the company's planned acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. The legal maneuver, reported by Deadline, aimed to raise the financial stakes for opponents seeking to delay the merger.

Paramount's lawyers argued that the challenge threatened to impose significant costs and delay, justifying the bond demand as a safeguard against what they characterized as an obstructive suit. The filing came as Paramount sought to accelerate closing of the multibillion-dollar deal, which would combine two of Hollywood's largest studio libraries and streaming operations.

The Writers Guild of America and several state attorneys general have opposed the merger on competition grounds, warning that further consolidation could reduce jobs, depress wages for creative workers, and concentrate control over film and television distribution. Both groups have signaled they intend to press their case despite the mounting financial pressure.

The bond demand represents an aggressive tactic designed to discourage prolonged litigation. A resolution would carry major implications for the streaming landscape, affecting rivals including Netflix and Disney as well as writers, actors, and other Hollywood labor groups watching the outcome closely.

The dispute is expected to unfold in the coming weeks as courts weigh Paramount's request and the merger's regulatory review continues.