Hollywood
Robert Downey Jr. urges ‘Avengers’ fans to donate for kids with terminal diseases
NEW DELHI: Ironman Robert Downey Jr has appealed to his fans to attend the world premiere of Marvel’s Avengers: Age of Ultron, to help his charity, which helps children suffering from terminal diseases.
His post on his Facebook page is imploring fans to donate for such children with a charity event that is supporting Julia’s House, a hospice that provides care and support for life-limited children and their families.
Downey Jr reached out to his fans on social media saying, “Hi folks, here’s the skinny: we’ve raised $1.3 MILLION for kids with terminal diseases. That’s incredible, but I think we can do better. Our goal is to reach $2M to help build a brand spanking new wing for Julia’s House. There’s just one week left to enter to win the chance to go to the premiere of Marvel’s Avengers: Age of Ultron with me. Click the pic and assemble!”
Written and directed by Joss Whedon and produced by Kevin Feige, Marvel’s Avengers: Age of Ultron is based on Marvel comic book seriesThe Avengers, first published in 1963. The movie is set for release on 24 April.
Avengers: Age of Ultron stars Downey Jr. along with Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, Don Cheadle, Cobie Smulders, Stellan Skarsg?rd, Samuel L. Jackson, James Spader, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Elizabeth Olsen and Paul Bettany.
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.
