Hollywood
JAKKS bags licensing rights of ‘Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice’
MUMBAI: US toymaker JAKKS Pacific, Inc. has inked a licensing agreement with Warner Bros. Consumer Products to manufacture, distribute and market a line of toys and products based on Warner Bros. Pictures’ and RatPac Dune Entertainment’s feature film, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.
The movie, which is scheduled to hit theaters on 25 March, 2016, pairs the two Super Heroes for the first time on the big screen and is directed by Zack Snyder. It stars Ben Affleck as Batman and Henry Cavill as Superman.
The agreement, which covers the Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice film, also includes a domestic and international renewal for the full DC Comics franchise. The multi-category license includes large-scale action figures and vehicles, accessories, games, wagons and more. JAKKS plans to launch its Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice product line in Spring 2016 to coincide with the film’s worldwide theatrical release. New DC Comics product lines will also be available at retailers in Fall 2015.
“We could not be more excited to be part of the eagerly awaited Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice franchise and welcome the opportunity to bring to life two of the most epic Super Heroes of all time. We look forward to continuing our legacy of creating innovative and character-specific toys for the DC Comics line, especially in our highly detailed and collectible Big Figures line,” said JAKKS Pacific executive vice president of marketing John Blaney.
“JAKKS consistently brings a larger than life statement to the toy aisle and we look forward to expanding our existing DC Comics offerings and building upon this partnership by bringing the epic Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice to life with an all-new Big Figures line,” added Warner Bros. Consumer Products executive vice president Karen McTier.
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.
