Hollywood
Tom Hardy drops out of ‘Suicide Squad’
MUMBAI: Directed by David Ayer, the all-star comic book movie, Suicide Squad, produced by Warner Bros. was slated to star Tom Hardy reprising the role of Rick Flagg, the leader of the group that consists of Batman villains- Deadshot, Joker, Harley Quinn, Boomerang and Enchantress.
According to sources Hardy unfortunately had to make an exit due to date problems. The actor is currently shooting for The Revenant, co-starring Leonardo DiCaprio, and that shoot is now looking to last longer than initially planned.
Upon hearing this, Warner Bros. has decided to cast Jake Gyllenhaal in replacement of Hardy. Gyllenhaal, who has gained popularity for his performance in the Nightcrawler, has previously worked with Ayer on the acclaimed police thriller, End of Watch. It is however unclear whether or not the actor will take it on.
Based on DC Entertainment’s, the cast of Suicide Squad includes Will Smith, Margot Robbie, Jared Leto, Jai Courtney and Cara Delevingne. The film is due to begin shooting mid-April in Toronto and is scheduled to release on 05 August 2016.
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.
