Hollywood
Kate Winslet, Judy Davis to star in revenge dramedy ‘The Dressmaker’
MUMBAI: Kate Winslet and Judy Davis will be seen in the movie, written and directed by Australian Jocelyn Moorhouse. The movie is about Tilly Dunnage (Winslet) who ran away from her home when she was accused of murder and has now returned as a couturier. Now she has to make things right with her eccentric mother.
The Dressmaker is based on a novel of the same name, the principal photography for which will be at Australia 2014. The DOP is Don McAlpine, production designer is Roger Ford, editor Jill Bilcock and costume designer Tim Chappel.
The countries of Australia and New Zealand will have Universal Pictures International releasing the movie and worldwide, UK based sales agent Embankment films will do the work. For USA, it will be co-represented by CAA.
Winslet is represented by CAA and United Agents. Davis is represented by Shanahan Management.
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.
