Hollywood
Cruise control kicks In as Mission Impossible ignites summer box office
MUMBAI: Theatre owners have one mission this May, pack in the crowds. And thanks to Tom Cruise, it looks like they’re already winning. With Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning just days away from its theatrical release, the high-octane franchise is already breaking ground. Over 11,000 tickets were sold within 24 hours of advance bookings, and as of Tuesday, that number has soared past 38,500 across national chains, setting the tone for what exhibitors are calling a “Hollywood summer revival.”
Venkat Prasad of Prasad Multiplex (Hyderabad) shared his perspective on the current buzz, noting the shift in audience sentiment and said, “The numbers truly prove this, as does the incredible buzz and global response to the Tom Cruise film. The appetite for theatrical experiences in the South has been rejuvenated, and this high-octane offering is perfectly timed to tap into that demand. For us as exhibitors, and more importantly for audiences, 2025 is a blockbuster year for Hollywood in every sense, and we will see this unfolding as we now go along, starting with Mission: Impossible releasing on 17th May.”
Echoing the sentiment AMB Cinemas director Sunil Narang emphasized the strength of the upcoming slate and its impact on local audiences, saying, “With Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning leading the charge, Hollywood’s May line-up is one of the best summer slates we have seen in a while offering a thrilling mix of nostalgia, action, and exhilaration this summer. The response from our audiences in the South has been phenomenal, with the region witnessing advance sales in good numbers solely for seeing Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt in action; reaffirming the pull of such big-ticket releases for the big-screen experience.”
Directed by Christopher McQuarrie, the film stars Cruise alongside an ensemble cast including Hayley Atwell, Simon Pegg, Ving Rhames, and Angela Bassett. The latest instalment promises heart-stopping action, emotional stakes, and high-speed stunts that have come to define the franchise.
Releasing in English, Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu on Saturday, 17 May, The Final Reckoning brings back Ethan Hunt for one last, dangerous mission across languages and generations.
In a post-pandemic world where streaming had momentarily taken the front seat, Cruise’s return to cinemas isn’t just a movie moment, it’s a mission to reignite the magic of the big screen.
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.
