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 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.
