Hollywood
Hugh Jackman quits the Houdini Broadway project
MUMBAI: Actor Hugh Jackman has apparently quit the upcoming Broadway musical Harry Houdini. The actor, who won the 2004 Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical for The Boy from Oz, was associated with Houdini since last two years and was supposed to portray the title role of the illusionist and escape artist, Houdini.
However, he pulled out of the musical because of his scheduling demands commit to the time this role will require. The actor in a statement announced that he has tremendous respect and admiration for the creative team and wished everyone the best. He also said that the team is on its way to make something extraordinary.
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The producers of the as-yet-unscheduled show announced in January 2012 about the association of Jackman. The actor reportedly had been involved unofficially before this. Houdini has gone through several personnel changes since first being announced in 2008 with a planned 2010 premiere. Film composer Danny Elfman was originally announced to do the music, with lyrics by David Yazbek and a book by Kurt Andersen. Jack O’Brien has remained as director, though Stephen Schwartz is now composing the songs, while David Ives provides the book. Aaron Sorkin had been attached as writer in 2012 when Jackman was announced.
Hollywood
WBD sets April 23 vote on $110bn Paramount Skydance merger
Investor approval key step, but regulators loom over mega media deal
NEW YORK: Warner Bros. Discovery has set April 23 as the date for shareholders to vote on its proposed $110 billion merger with Paramount Skydance, marking a crucial step in one of the biggest media deals in recent years.
The all-cash transaction offers WBD shareholders $31 per share, a hefty 147 per cent premium to its unaffected stock price, signalling strong intent to push the deal across the finish line. The company’s board has unanimously backed the merger and is urging investors to vote in favour.
Even if shareholders give the green light, the deal is far from done. Regulators in the United States and Europe are expected to scrutinise the merger closely, weighing concerns around competition and potential price impacts for consumers.
To keep investors on side, WBD has built in a safety net. If the deal is not completed by September 30, shareholders will receive a quarterly “ticking fee” of $0.25 per share until closure.
The proposed merger would significantly reshape the media landscape, combining the assets of Warner Bros. Discovery with those linked to Paramount Global and Skydance Media. It would also cement the growing influence of David Ellison, who has been steering Skydance’s aggressive expansion strategy.
“The WBD Board has been guided by the singular principle of securing a transaction that maximises the value of our iconic assets and delivers as much certainty as possible to our shareholders,” said Warner Bros. Discovery board chair Samuel A. Di Piazza Jr.. “This historic transaction will expand consumer choice and create new opportunities for creative talent.”
Warner Bros. Discovery chief executive officer David Zaslav added that the company is working closely with its counterpart to close the deal and unlock value for stakeholders.
With investor backing likely but regulatory hurdles ahead, the proposed merger is shaping up to be a defining moment for the global entertainment industry, where scale, content and competition are increasingly intertwined.
