Hollywood
Godzilla sets new records for creature films in Japan
NEW DELHI: Godzilla directed by Gareth Edwards made ?684 million (US$6.7 million) from 427 screens on its first three days in cinemas in Japan, including ?508 million (US$4.98 million) from 339,000 admissions on saturday and sunday.
The film scored the second-biggest opening for a foreign live-action film this year after Maleficent. The Warner Bros international- Legendary Pictures LLC production is distributed locally by Toho, the studio behind the original Godzilla franchise.
The new film’s performance in Japan was uncertain as several Hollywood films with Japanese elements have performed below expectations in the world’s third largest film market.
Last year, Pacific Rim – also co-produced by Warner Bros and Legendary Pictures — opened sixth-placed with ?212 million (US$2.08 million) in its first three days for a final gross of ?1.55 billion (US$15.2 million). In December, 47 Ronin opened on ?142 million (US$1.39 million) from 753 screens, for a final gross of just ?292 million (US$2.86 million).
Tsutsumi Yukihiko’s Eight Rangers opened in fifth place. On 160 screens, the sequel to the superhero comedy starring Johnny and Associates’ group Kanjani Eight made ?125 million (US$1.22 million) from 93,600 admissions in its first two days.
Two years ago, the first Eight Rangers (2012) made ?156 million (US$1.53 million) from 155 screens on its opening weekend. It made a total of ?1.2 billion (US$11.7 million) during its theatrical run.
Time traveling comedy Time Trip App opened in ninth place, making only ?51 million (US$500,000) from 39,100 admissions on 254 screens. Lee Tishio’s film recently competed at the Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival.
Opening on just 12 screens in 11 cities, Kawase Naomi’s Still the Water made ?4.58 million (US$44,800) in its first two days. The Cannes competition title will slowly expand to other cities over the next two months.
In its second weekend, Studio Ghibli’s When Marnie was There dropped to fourth place in terms of admissions, but remained in third place in terms of revenue. With a week-on-week drop of 42 per cent, the Yonebayashi Hiramasa film made ?220 million (US$2.16 million) from 164,000 admissions on saturday and sunday. It has made ?1.06 billion (US$10.4 million) after nine days in cinemas.
Maleficent dropped to second place. After four weekends, the Disney fantasy has made ?3.97 billion (US$38.9 million).
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.
