Hollywood
Sylvester Stallone offers ‘Expendables’ to Salman Khan
MUMBAI: Hollywood action star Sylvester Stallone has offered Salman Khan the next Expendables movie.
In a series of tweets, Salman Khan said that Stallone was his hero. Revealing that he still worked out while listening to ‘The Eye of The Tiger,’ Khan said, “Agar kisi ko follow karna hai? Bahar ka… inko follow karo @TheSlyStallone Aapke Hero ka hero Sylvester Stallone.” (If you want to follow someone? From outside… follow him @TheSlyStallone Your Hero’s Hero Sylvester Stallone.)
What’s more, Stallone who is known for his action packed movies replied to Khan by tweeting, “Would like to thank the super talented Indian superstar SALMAN KHAN the Compliment he Tweeted! We should do an ACTION FILM together!”
Stallone went on to add, “Thanks my friend! You have BIG heart! Big talent! Big future! KEEP PUNCHING, SALMAN! Your friend Sly Stallone.”
Further talking about how he was impressed with Khan’s ardent fan following, Stallone tweeted, “Salman, I am very impressed with your many devoted fans. To make a great Action film Sucessful takes MANY great fans who support you, Sly (sic).”
What took the cake and almost broke the Internet was Stallone’s last tweet, in which he hinted at Khan being a part of his successful film franchise The Expendables. “Maybe the New EXPENDABLES,” Stallone tweeted.
It now remains to be seen whether Khan takes up on the offer by Stallone.
Hollywood
Paramount seeks FCC nod for foreign-backed $110 billion WBD deal
Gulf funds back merger as foreign stake nears 50 per cent, control stays with Ellison
NEW YORK: Paramount Global has approached the Federal Communications Commission seeking approval for foreign investments tied to its proposed $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, marking another key step in one of the biggest media deals in recent years.
According to regulatory filings made public this week, the investment backing the deal includes major Gulf sovereign funds such as the Public Investment Fund, the Qatar Investment Authority and L’imad Holding Company. Together, foreign investors are expected to hold just under 50 per cent of Paramount’s equity once the transaction is complete.
Despite the sizeable international backing, Paramount has made it clear that voting control will remain with the family of chief executive David Ellison, ensuring the company stays firmly under US control as required by broadcasting rules.
A company spokesperson described the FCC filing as routine for transactions involving foreign capital and stressed that it does not impact the closing of the deal. Under US law, any significant foreign ownership in broadcast licence holders must undergo regulatory review.
The merger itself has already cleared a major hurdle, with Warner Bros. Discovery shareholders approving the deal on 23 April. The transaction values the company at $31 per share, a 147 per cent premium to its earlier trading price, reflecting strong strategic intent behind the tie-up.
If completed, the combined entity will bring together a vast portfolio including Warner Bros. film studios, HBO Max, and networks such as CNN, TNT and Discovery Channel. The deal is currently expected to close in the third quarter of 2026.
However, scrutiny is intensifying. The US Department of Justice has issued subpoenas seeking details on the merger’s potential impact on cinema competition, streaming services and content licensing. Reviews are also anticipated in international markets, including the United Kingdom.
There is also a financial safety net built into the agreement. If regulators ultimately block the deal, Paramount would face a $7 billion break-up fee. Additionally, the company has taken on $2.8 billion in obligations previously owed by Warner Bros. Discovery to Netflix following an earlier terminated arrangement.
Paramount maintains that easing foreign ownership barriers will unlock fresh capital and strengthen its ability to compete in a rapidly evolving media landscape. For now, the spotlight remains on regulators, whose decision will determine whether this global media consolidation moves from script to screen.
