Hollywood
Scrubs actor crowed funded film trailer released
MUMBAI: On Wednesday, 9 April, Focus Features released the first official trailer for the new Zach Braff’s crowd-funded independent film, Wish I Was Here.
It was in April, last year, that director Braff launched the campaign for his upcoming comedy film to make $2 million to boost his project. The movie is based on his own script co-written with his brother Adam J. Braff. By 24 May, the campaign generated a total of $3,105,473 funded by 46,520 people.
Wish I Was Here is Braff’s follow-up to his indie breakout hit Garden State. Wish I Was Here stars Zach Braff (Scrubs) along with Kate Hudson (How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days), Mandy Patinkin (Homeland), Josh Gad (Frozen), Ashley Greene (Twilight films), Joey King (The Conjuring) and Jim Parsons (The Big Bang Theory). The movie is produced by Stacey Sher, Michael Shamberg, and Zach and Adam Braff.
The movie is a story of a thirty-something man who finds himself at a major crossroads, which forces him to examine his life, his career, and his family. Aidan Bloom (Braff), a struggling actor, father, and husband is trying to find the purpose of his life at the age of 35.
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.
