Hollywood
Johnny Depp and Christopher Nolan team up for ‘Transcendence’
MUMBAI: This Summer, fans are in for a rare treat as Johnny Depp and Christopher Nolan join forces for the first time in Hollywood history for the upcoming sci-fi thriller Transcendence.
Produced by Nolan and directed by his long time cinematographer Wally Pfister, the movie will see Johnny Depp undergo a terrifying transformation for the portrayal of Dr. Will Caster, an artificial intelligence researcher. MVP Entertainment India and PVR Pictures will jointly release Transcendence in Indian theaters on 18 April 2014.
The directorial debut of Wally Pfister, follows the life of Dr. Will Caster (Depp), an artificial intelligence researcher who strives to create a machine that possesses sentience and collective intelligence. Extremists who oppose technological advancement target him, but their actions drive him toward his goal. Caster also wants to become part of the new technology, and his wife Evelyn and his best friend Max Waters, also researchers, question the wisdom of this drive. Caster’s goal to acquire knowledge becomes one to acquire power, and he seems to be unstoppable. Depp is seen undergoing a terrifying transformation for the role Caster attempts to transfer his knowledge, memories and emotions into an advanced computer programme to live on as artificial intelligence.
Additionally the Nolan production will feature a stellar star cast in the form of Morgan Freeman (The Bucket List, Last Vegas), Rebecca Hall (Prestige), Kate Mara (Shooter) and Paul Bettany (The Da Vinci Code) who will be seen in supporting roles.
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.
