Hollywood
‘Interstellar’ continues to dominate south east Asian screens
NEW DELHI: Filmmaker Christopher Nolan’s Interstellar topped the Greater China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and the South Korea box office for the second consecutive weekend.
In South Korea, the sci-fi epic earned an additional 14.4 billion (US$13.1 million) from 1.79 million admissions, representing a 6.5 per cent week-on-week increase. After 11 days in cinemas, it has earned 38.7 billion (US$35.1 million) from 4.84 million admissions. It is already the third-highest grossing foreign film in South Korea this year.
In Greater China where it opened several days later than most of the world, the sci-fi epic opened in Mainland China last Wednesday. Released in 2-D and IMAX, it earned RMB259 million (US$42.2 million) from approximately 7.19 million admissions.
After a slow start, grosses picked up considerably over the weekend, earning RMB194 million (US$31.6 million) from approximately 5.38 million admissions between Friday and Sunday. It represented approximately 29.5 per cent of all screenings over the weekend.
Four years ago, Nolan’s Inception (2010) made RMB101 million (US$16.5 million) in its first five days, and RMB475 million (US$77.5 million) during its theatrical run.
Interstellar will have to defend the top spot from Wong Fei- hung reboot Rise of the Legend and World War II war film Fury this weekend.
Interstellar also remained at the top of the box office in Taiwan, earning NT$19.9 million (US$649,000) in Taipei after a week-on-week drop of only 9 per cent. After two weekends, the sci-fi epic has made NT$56.9 million (US$1.85 million) in the capital.
In Hong Kong, Interstellar had a small week-on-week drop in its second weekend. From 45 locations, it made an additional HK$11.2 million (US$1.44 million) between Thursday and Sunday, representing a week-on-week drop of only 4 per cent.
After two weekends, the film has made HK$27.2 million (US$3.50 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.
