Hollywood
Benjamin Walker to play lead in Nicolas Sparks’s adaptation, The Choice
MUMBAI: The upcoming adaptation of Nicolas Sparks’ 2007 novel, The Choice has set Benjamin Walker as its leading man. Reports state that Walker will take on the role of Travis Parker in the Ross Katz film.
The Choice follows two young neighbors, Parker and Gabby Holland, in a small coastal town. They ultimately become lovers despite having to face many barriers. With a screenplay by Bryan Sipes, the 11th Nicholas Sparks book to turned into a movie is gearing up to start production in October in Wilmington, North Carolina although no cast has been announced yet.
Sparks will co-produce with partners Theresa Park and Peter Safran. Lionsgate bought the distribution rights for the film in North America, the UK and Latin America this past spring. Sparks’ next two adaptations The Best of Me and The Longest Ride are currently in post- production for their releases on 17 October 2014 and 10 April 2015, respectively.
The Best of Me is slated to release in India on 31 October 2014. Actor James Marsden, actress Michelle Monaghan and director Michael Hoffman will be present in India from 29 to 31 October 2014. The South Asia Premier takes place on 29 October 2014 followed by a closed door Black tie dinner on 30 October 2014.
Hollywood
Paramount eyes $24bn Gulf support to fund Warner Bros Discovery merger: Reports
Sovereign funds line up funding as media giants chase streaming scale
NEW YORK: Paramount Skydance is in talks to secure nearly $24 billion in equity commitments from Gulf sovereign wealth funds to support its planned takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery, according to a WSJ report.
The funding push comes as Paramount Skydance advances its proposed $110 billion deal for Warner Bros. Discovery, which carries an equity valuation of $81 billion and is expected to close in the third quarter of 2026.
At the heart of the financing plan are three major Gulf investors. Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund is expected to contribute roughly $10 billion, while the Qatar Investment Authority and Abu Dhabi-based L’imad Holding are likely to make up the remainder.
Crucially, the proposed investments are structured as non-voting stakes. This means the Gulf backers would not have direct control in the combined entity, a move designed to ease regulatory concerns in the United States. Paramount executives reportedly do not expect the deal to trigger scrutiny from bodies such as the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States or the Federal Communications Commission.
If completed, the merger would bring together a formidable portfolio of entertainment and news assets, including CNN and CBS. The combined entity aims to better compete in a fast-evolving media landscape where streaming platforms are steadily pulling audiences away from traditional television.
The deal reflects a broader shift in global media, where scale is increasingly seen as essential to survive the streaming wars. By pooling content libraries, technology and distribution, Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery are betting on size and synergy to drive future growth.
The involvement of deep-pocketed Gulf investors also underscores the growing role of sovereign wealth in shaping global media consolidation, particularly at a time when high-value deals demand equally large financial backing.
With shareholder votes and regulatory milestones still ahead, the proposed tie-up remains one of the most closely watched media deals of the year. If it clears the final hurdles, it could redraw the competitive map of the global entertainment industry.
