Paramount sued by former distribution chief Chris Aronson

Chris Aronson, the former head of domestic distribution at Paramount, has filed a lawsuit against the studio alleging age discrimination and breach of contract. The legal action, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, follows Aronson's termination last September during an executive shakeup following Paramount's merger with Skydance Media.

Aronson claims he was wrongfully terminated without cause and that the company reneged on a contract extension signed in July that was intended to keep him in his role until December 2028. The lawsuit alleges that Paramount's decision to limit his severance payout to two years—rather than the full remaining term—resulted in a significant financial shortfall. Aronson, who was 69 at the time of his departure, argues that his termination was motivated by age and that he was replaced by a younger executive.

The complaint seeks approximately $4 million in economic damages, including lost salary, incentive compensation, and employment benefits, as well as punitive damages. Aronson's legal team contends that Paramount misapplied an IRS provision regarding the timing of severance payouts to reduce his compensation. During his tenure at Paramount, Aronson oversaw the distribution of major franchises including ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ and ‘Mission: Impossible’.