Hollywood
Ben Affleck reveals the first look of ‘Gone Girl’
It was around this time two years ago that we saw the release of David Fincher’s The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, and while we haven’t seen a feature film from him since, the drought will end in 2014.
The director is currently in the midst of crafting an adaptation of Gillian Flynn’s acclaimed novel Gone Girl, and while the film will be released late next year, the studio, 20th Century Fox has unveiled a first look at the movie via their official twitter account.
Being adapted by Flynn herself – making her screen writing debut – the thriller centers on the relationship between Nick and Amy, a married couple who have hit a rough patch. Moving to a small town in Missouri from New York after Nick loses his job, Amy is miserable away from the big city, but things become scary when she disappears on their fifth wedding anniversary. To make things even worse, Nick is the prime suspect and there is plenty of evidence against him. Ben Affleck stars as Nick, while Rosamund Pike is playing Amy.
The cast also includes Neil Patrick Harris, Missi Pyle, Tyler Perry, Patrig Fugit, Casey Wilson, Scott McNairy, Kim Dickens and Emily Ratajkowski. Reese Witherspoon and Bruna Papandrea, along with Leslie Dixon, are producing the movie.
Hollywood
Paramount seeks FCC nod for foreign-backed $110 billion WBD deal
Gulf funds back merger as foreign stake nears 50 per cent, control stays with Ellison
NEW YORK: Paramount Global has approached the Federal Communications Commission seeking approval for foreign investments tied to its proposed $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, marking another key step in one of the biggest media deals in recent years.
According to regulatory filings made public this week, the investment backing the deal includes major Gulf sovereign funds such as the Public Investment Fund, the Qatar Investment Authority and L’imad Holding Company. Together, foreign investors are expected to hold just under 50 per cent of Paramount’s equity once the transaction is complete.
Despite the sizeable international backing, Paramount has made it clear that voting control will remain with the family of chief executive David Ellison, ensuring the company stays firmly under US control as required by broadcasting rules.
A company spokesperson described the FCC filing as routine for transactions involving foreign capital and stressed that it does not impact the closing of the deal. Under US law, any significant foreign ownership in broadcast licence holders must undergo regulatory review.
The merger itself has already cleared a major hurdle, with Warner Bros. Discovery shareholders approving the deal on 23 April. The transaction values the company at $31 per share, a 147 per cent premium to its earlier trading price, reflecting strong strategic intent behind the tie-up.
If completed, the combined entity will bring together a vast portfolio including Warner Bros. film studios, HBO Max, and networks such as CNN, TNT and Discovery Channel. The deal is currently expected to close in the third quarter of 2026.
However, scrutiny is intensifying. The US Department of Justice has issued subpoenas seeking details on the merger’s potential impact on cinema competition, streaming services and content licensing. Reviews are also anticipated in international markets, including the United Kingdom.
There is also a financial safety net built into the agreement. If regulators ultimately block the deal, Paramount would face a $7 billion break-up fee. Additionally, the company has taken on $2.8 billion in obligations previously owed by Warner Bros. Discovery to Netflix following an earlier terminated arrangement.
Paramount maintains that easing foreign ownership barriers will unlock fresh capital and strengthen its ability to compete in a rapidly evolving media landscape. For now, the spotlight remains on regulators, whose decision will determine whether this global media consolidation moves from script to screen.
