Hollywood
Biblical Epic Noah by Darren Aronofsky set to release in India
MUMBAI: Director Darren Aronofsky (Black Swan) was fascinated by the compelling story about Noah since a very young age, and is all set to present his take on the larger-than-life story of courage, sacrifice and hope, titled Noah based on the popular biblical stories. Paramount Pictures recently released the first pulse-racing trailer of the film, which has attracted amazing response from the audience across the globe.
The film boasts of a stellar cast, comprising of Academy Award winners Russell Crowe (Gladiator) and Jennifer Connelly (A Beautiful Mind) as Noah and his wife, Naameh, respectively. It also features Oscar Award winner Anthony Hopkins (Silence of the Lambs) and the ‘Harry Potter’ actress, Emma Watson. The director, Darren Aronofsky, who has given the world remarkable award winning films like Pi, Black Swan and The Wrestler, had been working on the screenplay of the epic since 2004.
The adventure packed film has spectacular VFX with mass scale production. The film features Noah having visions of an apocalyptic deluge, taking measures to protect his family and saving the innocent animals from the coming flood. In a world ravaged by human sin, Noah is given a divine mission: to build an Ark to save God’s creation from the devastating flood. Noah and his family build a massive ark, large enough to give shelter to two of every type of animal, who, when the time is right, appear at the foot of the great ship to board. What follows is a battle for Noah’s Ark, so that the storm can be survived.
With the film due for a worldwide release next month, filmmaker Aronofsky has certainly left the audience looking forward to the grand cinematic experience. Presented by Paramount Pictures, the film is slated for release on 28 March by Viacom18 Motion Pictures in India.
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.
