Hollywood is buzzing with speculation over a secretive list that has many of its most vocal and progressive figures on edge.

Rumors are circulating through the entertainment industry that Paramount, now under the leadership of billionaire David Ellison who is known for his pro-Trump stance, has established a new “blacklist” aimed at curbing the influence of celebrities with controversial opinions.

During Ellison’s initial 100 days at the helm of Paramount, he has channeled his family’s substantial resources into orchestrating a sweeping cultural shift within the company.

The 42-year-old has initiated significant changes at CBS News by naming Bari Weiss as the editor-in-chief, a move that has resulted in the downsizing of up to 1,000 employees.

Reports from insiders suggest that Ellison is determined to transition Paramount away from its traditionally liberal roots, aiming instead to appeal to a more mainstream, middle-American audience.

Upcoming projects include Top Gun 3, a Call of Duty adaptation, and a motocross thriller starring Timothée Chalamet – big-screen, patriotic, and apolitical.

And he’s also trying to flip the script on Hollywood standards that have been common for decades.

Whispers are running through Tinseltown that Paramount has introduced a new ‘blacklist’ under it Donald Trump-friendly new billionaire owner David Ellison, in order to crack down on A-listers who may have problematic views 

Behind closed doors, executives have been scrutinizing actors with a history of anti-Semitism, homophobia and xenophobia, Variety reported this week.

The new zero-tolerance policy means actors and actresses who have shared their views on the war in Gaza or are openly MAGA could struggle to find work on multi-million-dollar projects.

Now insiders are blowing the lid on the clampdown and revealing the consequences it could have on the industry.

A source at Paramount told the Daily Mail that while there is a ‘list’, it isn’t on paper – but everyone knows who’s on it.

And executives are taking note of stars who could be deemed too risky in a major project.

‘There’s no official list of people we refuse to work with. But this is the most competitive time I’ve ever seen.

‘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.

‘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.

‘So no one’s blacklisted – it’s more that they’re on a mental list. If the project’s great, of course we’ll do it.’

The Daily Mail has contacted Paramount for comment. 

In September, Paramount became the first major studio to publicly condemn an open letter signed by dozens of A-listers calling for a boycott of Israeli film institutions and called the war in Gaza ‘genocide and apartheid’.

Among the signatories were Emma Stone, Javier Bardem, Mark Ruffalo, Tilda Swinton, Hannah Einbinder, Aimee Lou Wood, Peter Sarsgaard, Rooney Mara, and Oscar-winning director Yorgos Lanthimos. 

It is not known if any have appeared on the rumored internal list, insider told Daily Mail executives admitted privately that ‘their names come up’ when projects are discussed.

Last November, Susan Sarandon claimed she had been ‘blacklisted’ after speaking out for Gaza and making remarks about Israel and Jewish people. 

‘I was dropped by my agency, my projects were pulled,’ she told The Times. ‘I’ve been used as an example of what not to do if you want to keep working.’

Susan Sarandon claimed she was ‘blacklisted’ for speaking out about Gaza and Mark Ruffalo signed a letter earlier this year calling for a boycott of Israeli film studios

Paramount would ‘work with people like Pedro Pascal’ but his ‘outspoken views’ will make execs ‘take a beat before spending money’, our insider claimed

‘Emma Stone signed [the same boycott] letter, but we’d be stupid not to consider her,’ the insider said

In 2023, after the October 7 Hamas terror attacks, Scream 7 star Melissa Barrera was dropped by Spyglass Entertainment following posts criticizing Israel’s response. 

Barrera wrote on Instagram: ‘I believe a group of people are not their leadership and that no governing body should be above criticism.

‘I pray day and night for no more deaths, for no more violence and for peaceful co-existence. I will continue to speak out for those that need it most and continue to advocate for peace and safety, for human rights and freedom.

‘Silence is not an option for me.’

Spyglass said at the time: ‘We have zero tolerance for antisemitism or hate in any form, including false references to genocide or Holocaust distortion.’ 

Despite the perception of Ellison’s plans for Paramount, he insists it’s not the case.

‘We’re an entertainment company first, and if you’re breathing, you’re our audience,’ Ellison said at a press conference earlier this year. 

‘I don’t want to politicize this company. Great filmmakers make great movies – that’s what we’re focused on.’