Hollywood
First trailer of Bradley Cooper starring ‘American Sniper’ Released
MUMBAI: Directed by Clint Eastwood and starring Bradley Cooper, the first trailer for the war drama American Sniper was released on 3 October.
The actor stars as real-life Navy SEAL Chris Kyle in American Sniper, who served multiple tours of duty in Iraq and was heavily decorated for his service, has taken credit for 160 confirmed kills. The drama is based on the 2013 memoir of Chris Kyle, who was regarded as ‘the most lethal sniper in U.S. military history.’
Kyle, whose book was a best-seller, was shot and killed at a Texas gun range in February 2013. He was 38 years old.
The official synopsis of the movie says, “From director Clint Eastwood comes “American Sniper,” starring Bradley Cooper as Chris Kyle, the most lethal sniper in U.S. military history. But there was much more to him than his skill as a sharpshooter. U.S. Navy SEAL Chris Kyle is sent to Iraq with only one mission: to protect his brothers-in-arms. His pinpoint accuracy saves countless lives on the battlefield and, as stories of his courageous exploits spread, he earns the nickname ‘Legend’. However, his reputation is also growing behind enemy lines, putting a price on his head and making him a prime target of insurgents. He is also facing a different kind of battle on the home front: striving to be a good husband and father from halfway around the world. Despite the danger, as well as the toll on his family at home, Chris serves through four harrowing tours of duty in Iraq, personifying the SEAL creed to ‘leave no man behind’. But upon returning to his wife, Taya Renae Kyle (Sienna Miller), and kids, Chris finds that it is the war he can’t leave behind.”
Co-starring Sienna Miller, Jake McDorman, Luke Grimes, Navid Negahan and Keir O’Donnell, American Sniper opens in limited release on Christmas Day and goes wide on 16 January 2015. The movie has been produced by Cooper.
The trailer highlights the precarious balance Kyle faces as he balances his military duties with his home life.
Click here to watch the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRbAXWfthtA
The movie is slated to release on Christmas this year.
Cooper, who voiced Rocket Racoon in the summer blockbuster Guardians of the Galaxy, has received past Academy Award nominations for Silver Linings Playbook and American Hustle.
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.
