Hollywood
‘Star Wars: Episode VII’ cast announced
MUMBAI: Actors John Boyega (Attack the Block), Daisy Ridley (Mr. Selfridge), Adam Driver (Girls), Golden Globe Award nominee Oscar Isaac (Inside Llewyn Davis), BAFTA Award nominee Andy Serkis (The Lord of the Rings films, The Hobbit films), Domhnall Gleeson (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 & Part 2), and Academy Award nominee Max von Sydow (Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close) will join the original stars of the saga, Golden Globe Award winner Harrison Ford (Indiana Jones films), Carrie Fisher (Family Guy), Mark Hamill (Uncle Grandpa), Anthony Daniels (Prime Suspect), Peter Mayhew (Breaking In, Glee), and Kenny Baker (Amadeus, Casualty) in the new film.
Director J.J. Abrams said in a statement, “We are so excited to finally share the cast of Star Wars: Episode VII. It is both thrilling and surreal to watch the beloved original cast and these brilliant new performers come together to bring this world to life, once again. We start shooting in a couple of weeks, and everyone is doing their best to make the fans proud.”
It has also been confirmed that Star Wars: Episode VII is set about 30 years after the events of Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi, and will star a trio of new young leads along with some very familiar faces.
Star Wars: Episode VII is being directed by J.J. Abrams (Star Trek reboot films) from a screenplay by Academy Award nominee Lawrence Kasdan (Darling Companion) and Abrams. Kathleen Kennedy (The Adventures of Tintin), J.J. Abrams, and Bryan Burk (Lost, Fringe) are producing and Academy Award winner John Williams (Jaws, Schindler’s List) returns as the composer. The movie opens worldwide on 18 December, 2015.
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Hollywood
Disney to cut 1,000 jobs in major restructuring drive
Layoffs span ESPN, studios and tech as company pivots to growth
MUMBAI: The magic isn’t disappearing but it is being reorganised. The Walt Disney Company has announced plans to cut around 1,000 jobs as part of a sweeping restructuring effort aimed at sharpening its edge in an increasingly unpredictable entertainment landscape. The move, led by CEO Josh D’Amaro, reflects a broader internal reset as the company rethinks how it operates, allocates resources and competes in a fast-evolving industry. In a memo to employees, D’Amaro acknowledged the difficulty of the decision but framed it as a necessary step to ensure Disney remains “efficient, innovative, and responsive” to rapid shifts in consumer behaviour and technology.
The layoffs will span multiple divisions, including marketing, film and television studios, ESPN, technology teams and corporate functions. Notifications have already begun, signalling that the restructuring is not a distant plan but an active transition underway.
Importantly, the company has clarified that the cuts are not performance-driven. Instead, they form part of a wider transformation strategy aimed at building a leaner, more agile organisation, one better equipped to respond to streaming dynamics, digital disruption and evolving audience expectations.
The timing is telling. The global entertainment industry is in the middle of a structural shift, with traditional television revenues under pressure and box office returns becoming increasingly volatile. Meanwhile, streaming platforms and digital-first competitors continue to redraw the rules of engagement, forcing legacy players to rethink scale, speed and storytelling formats.
For Disney, long synonymous with blockbuster franchises and timeless storytelling, the pivot is both strategic and symbolic. The company is doubling down on technology, direct-to-consumer services and content ecosystems that align with modern viewing habits, where audiences expect immediacy, personalisation and cross-platform experiences.
Even as the restructuring unfolds, D’Amaro struck a note of optimism, reiterating Disney’s commitment to creativity and long-term growth. Support measures for affected employees are expected as part of the transition, though details remain limited.
In essence, this is less about cutting back and more about reshaping forward. As Disney redraws its organisational map, the message is clear, in today’s entertainment world, even the most magical kingdoms must evolve or risk being left behind.
