Hollywood
Dwayne Johnson’s ‘Hercules’ movie trailer released
MUMBAI: MGM and Paramount have come together to re-envision the classic Greek tale of the legend of Hercules starring Dwayne Johnson (The Scorpion King, Fast & Furious) as the legendary hero, adapted from Steve Moore’s graphic novel.
The film boasts a stellar cast that includes Golden Globe Award winner Ian McShane (Deadwood, The Pillars of the Earth), BAFTA Award nominee Rufus Sewell (Eleventh Hour), BAFTA Award winner Joseph Fiennes (American Horror Story: Asylum), Emmy Award nominee Peter Mullan (Top of the Lake) and Golden Globe Award winner John Hurt (Midnight Express) and is directed by Brett Rattner (Rush Hour series).
Ratner’s film follows the story of the warrior who, in the wake of his legendary twelve labours, becomes a mercenary. When the King of Thrace and his daughter seek him out for help to defeat a tyrannical warlord, his life is tested in a way it never has been before. Based on the graphic novel series Hercules: The Thracian Wars by Steven Moore and Admira Wijaya.
The Rock took to Instagram to talk about the grueling preparations he undertook to get into the titular role for Hercules, which hits the big screen this summer.
“I trained and worked harder than ever for eight months for this role. Lived alone and locked myself away (like a moody 260-lb. monk) in Budapest for six months while filming.” He said on his Instagram page, “Goal was to completely transform into this character. Disappear in the role. Press journalist asked me today, with the mental & physical toll the role had on me, would I do it again? Not only would I do it again… I’d do it twice!”
Hollywood
Warner Bros board reopens talks after Paramount raises bid to $31 a share
Netflix has four days to revise $27.75-a-share proposal
NEW YORK: The board of Warner Bros Discovery has reopened talks with Paramount Skydance after the rival bidder raised its cash offer to $31 a share, intensifying a takeover contest for one of Hollywood’s most prized studios, Reuters reported.
Paramount’s revised proposal has pulled Warner Bros’ directors back to the negotiating table, even as Netflix risks losing its status as the preferred suitor. The board said it had not yet concluded whether Paramount’s offer was superior to the Netflix deal, but confirmed it would engage further with both sides. Should a higher bid emerge, Netflix has four business days to respond.
In a bid to strengthen its hand, Paramount increased the termination fee payable if regulators block the deal to $7 billion, up from $5.8 billion. It also agreed to pay Warner shareholders 25 cents a share per quarter for every quarter beyond 30 September that the transaction fails to close. Paramount further offered to inject additional equity should lenders raise concerns about financing at completion.
Paramount’s $31-a-share bid is an all-cash offer for the entire company. Netflix, by contrast, has proposed $27.75 a share in cash, valuing the deal at $82.7 billion including net debt, for Warner’s film and television studios, content library and the HBO Max streaming platform.
The comparison is muddied by structure. Warner plans to spin off its television networks into a separately listed company, Discovery Global. The ultimate value of Netflix’s offer therefore depends on the spun-off unit’s debt load and market valuation. The board estimates Discovery Global could trade between $1.33 and $6.86 a share, potentially lifting overall shareholder returns above Paramount’s earlier $30-a-share proposal.
Either outcome would reshape Hollywood’s balance of power, handing the winner a deep content vault and enduring franchises including Game of Thrones and DC Comics. Netflix has ample cash to raise its offer, while Paramount argues it faces fewer regulatory hurdles in the United States. It has also signalled readiness to mount a board challenge at Warner’s annual meeting if its proposal is rejected.
That pressure is building. One potential director nominee floated by Paramount is Pentwater Capital Management chief executive Matthew Halbower, one of Warner’s largest shareholders. Separately, activist investor Ancora Holdingshas accused the board of insufficient engagement with Paramount.
Warner is due to report quarterly results this week, which may shed more light on the value of its cable television assets. Paramount reports earnings on Wednesday. A shareholder vote on the Netflix deal is scheduled for 20 March.
