Hollywood
Horror thriller ‘Vatican Tapes’ to release in India on 31 July
MUMBAI: Horror-thriller flick, The Vatican Tapes is all set to hit theaters across India on 31 July, 2015. The film is being released in India by Multivision Multimedia. The movie features Djimon Hounsou (Blood Diamond fame), Dougray Scott (Mission Impossible 2 and American Hustle) and Michael Pena (Fury, American Hustle). Kathleen Robertson, established television actress in the US will be seen as the leading lady in Vatican Tapes.
The Vatican Tapes is about the ultimate battle between good and evil- God versus Satan. When a priest (Michael Pe?a) is called upon to exorcize a powerful satanic force he meets with an evil much more powerful than ever imagined. He enters a battle not only for a woman’s soul, but also the fate of the world. The film is an edge of the seat thriller that promises chill down the spine.
Hollywood horror films have left an imprint on the Indian box office for a very long time. The genre has matured and evolved over time. This year, two of the biggest horror films from Hollywood that made it to Indian screens were Insidious: Chapter 3, currently running to full houses and Poltergeist that grossed over $2 million in the first three days of release in India.
Some other films such as Conjuring and Anabella have also fared extremely well in India, keeping up to its international success. Alongside action and franchise driven cinema, horror is the third strongest contender from Hollywood in India.
Multivision Multimedia distribution head Sunil Udhani said, “Horror has always been a favourite among Indian audiences. While the trend is on the upswing here in Bollywood, the market for movies like Vatican Tapes is ever expanding. We have already seen a couple of success stories from the genre with this year. Horror is a unique genre in Hollywood that is not star dependent on stars; on top of that Vatican Tapes boasts of an illustrious star cast such as Djimon Hounsou and Dougray Scott. We are sure The Vatican Tapes will continue in the tradition of box office success.”
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.
