Hollywood
‘Superman Returns’ first week earnings cross $100 million in the US
MUMBAI: The return of one of the most popular comic book characters Superman in the movie Superman Returns proved to be a bonanza for Warner at the US box office.
The film has earned $108 million domestically in its first seven days, and more than $20 million from 11 overseas markets in its opening weekend. In India, it was the second highest opening weekend ever for a Hollywood film.
Warner Bros president domestic distribution Dan Fellman says, “We’ve enjoyed an outstanding response to this film — from exit polls to critics, and where it counts the most: at the box office.
“Few titles in motion picture history have generated more than $100 million in its first week of release. At Warner Bros., they include the four Harry Potter films and The Matrix: Reloaded.”
The latest edition of the Man of Steel franchise opened in the number one spot in each of the overseas markets in which opened, including India, Korea, Australia, New Zealand, The Philippines, Thailand and Taiwan.
In the Philippines, Superman Returns had the second biggest weekend of all time. In Indonesia, it was the industry’s all-time highest opening weekend.
Hollywood
UK watchdog CMA to probe Warner Bros-Paramount merger deal
Phase 1 review to assess competition risks as industry voices opposition
LONDON: The Competition and Markets Authority is set to launch a preliminary investigation into the proposed $110 billion merger between Warner Bros Discovery and Paramount, marking the first formal regulatory step in assessing the deal’s impact on competition.
The UK watchdog has initiated a consultation process with industry stakeholders, inviting comments until April 27. This phase, known as a Phase 1 review, will evaluate whether the merger could harm competition across the film and television sectors, both of which play a significant role in the UK economy.
“We expect to launch our phase 1 investigation in the coming weeks,” said Competition and Markets Authority spokesperson, in an emailed statement to Reuters. “The film and TV industries contribute billions to our economy, so it’s important we assess whether deals between studios may harm competition.”
The proposed transaction, which also involves Skydance Media, would bring together two of Hollywood’s largest studios, combining extensive content libraries and potentially reshaping the global entertainment landscape.
Following the initial assessment, the regulator will decide whether to escalate the matter to a more detailed Phase 2 investigation, which typically involves deeper scrutiny of market dynamics and competitive risks.
The deal is already facing growing resistance from within the creative community. More than 1,000 industry professionals, including Jane Fonda, Mark Ruffalo and Ben Stiller, have publicly opposed the merger, warning it could reduce opportunities, limit storytelling diversity and place further strain on an industry still adjusting to rapid change.
As regulators begin to weigh the implications, the proposed merger is shaping up to be a defining test of how far consolidation can go in a media industry already in flux.
