Hollywood
Liam Neeson & Nimrod Antal discuss Lionsgate’s Retribution ahead of theatrical release
Mumbai: Tick, tick, BOOM! Matt Turner must fight for his kids’ life in Lionsgate’s Retribution starring the iconic Liam Neeson. When a mysterious caller threatens to blow his family, it forces Matt Turner to abandon all that he knows and loves and begin a wild goose chase to get to the truth. Helmed by director Nimrod Antal, this action thriller will see Liam Neeson go through a range of emotions as he is stuck in a sticky situation, one that he must fight tooth and nail to get out of. Surrounded and backed into a corner, Liam must find a way to protect his kids and save his own life. With the clock ticking, can he find a way out?
Talking about the film, Liam Neeson said, “The concept of it is so immediate and engaging. It’s got themes that really resonate, like money and greed.”
Further adding on, Neeson said, “For me, that’s it. What’s really important is sometimes you need to remember to take the time to smell the roses, to sit back and enjoy things. So that’s my advice on this. Sit back and enjoy it.”
Also talking about the film, director Nimrod Antal said, “It really is a rollercoaster ride, and all of the actors elevate the story and take it to a whole other level. You see how vulnerable these characters are and what they’re dealing with beyond what’s happening in the car.”
Catch Liam Neeson star in Lionsgate’s Retribution on 25 August in theaters near you.
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.
