The war between titans has erupted in Hollywood with an intensity that no one expected. What began as a scathing comment by Elon Musk about excluding Robert De Niro from the 2025 Oscar nominations has quickly escalated into a legal showdown of epic proportions. The tech mogul and CEO of Tesla and SpaceX has not sat idly by in the face of the lawsuit filed by the legendary actor, who demanded an exorbitant sum after feeling aggrieved by Musk’s words. In an unexpected turn, Musk has decided to fight back with a multimillion-dollar countersuit, accusing De Niro of defamation and unleashing a whirlwind of speculation in the entertainment industry.

It all started a few weeks ago, when Musk, known for his controversial statements on social media, launched a comment on X suggesting that De Niro should be “excluded” from the Oscar nominations due to what he called “predictable performances” and a career that was “past its prime.” The comment, while scathing, seemed to be another of the entrepreneur’s usual provocations. However, De Niro did not take it lightly. The actor, winner of two Academy Awards and an iconic figure in cinema, responded with a public statement in which he called Musk “an arrogant with no respect for art” and promised to take legal action to defend his legacy.

De Niro’s lawsuit came soon after, filed in a California court. In it, the actor alleged that Musk’s words not only damaged his reputation but could also negatively influence the decisions of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, affecting his chances of being nominated for his latest film, a critically acclaimed drama set for release in late 2024. The sum demanded by De Niro has not been officially made public, but sources close to the case speak of a figure exceeding $50 million, an amount that reflects both the alleged emotional damage and the financial impact on his career.

But Musk, true to his combative style, has not backed down. Instead of apologizing or seeking a settlement, the entrepreneur filed a countersuit this week, raising the temperature of the conflict even further. In his defense, Musk argues that his comments were protected by free speech and that it was De Niro who crossed the line by publicly attacking him and accusing him of trying to sabotage his career. The countersuit, which is reported to amount to an even larger sum than De Niro demanded, accuses the actor of defamation and seeks compensation for damage to Musk’s public image, who says his intention was never to interfere with the Oscars but simply to express a personal opinion.

The showdown has divided Hollywood and social media. On one side, there are those who support De Niro, seeing him as a victim of Musk’s arrogance and a defender of art in the face of the intrusion of tech moguls in the film industry. Actors such as Martin Scorsese and Al Pacino have come to their colleague’s defense, criticizing Musk for what they consider an unjustified attack. On the other hand, Musk’s supporters, especially in X, celebrate his defiant attitude and see him as an outsider who is not afraid to confront Hollywood elites. Some have even begun to boycott De Niro’s films, while others call for the Academy to ignore the controversy and evaluate the nominees solely on their merit.

The legal battle promises to be long and costly. Entertainment law experts suggest the case could set a precedent on the limits of free speech in the digital age, especially when public figures of the stature of Musk and De Niro are involved. Meanwhile, the Academy has yet to issue an official statement, but rumors indicate some members are considering how this scandal could affect the 2025 nominations, scheduled to be announced in January.

In the eye of the storm, both protagonists are maintaining their stance. De Niro has said that he will not rest until Musk “pays for his insolence,” while the businessman has tweeted that “the truth always comes out” and that he is prepared to take the case to the ultimate consequences. What is clear is that this confrontation is not only a personal dispute, but a clash of worlds: that of traditional cinema against the disruptive power of technology. Hollywood is holding its breath as it awaits the next chapter of this saga that will undoubtedly continue to be talked about.