Hollywood
Vote now for ‘Expend4bles’ pre-release screening in PVR INOX cinemas!
Mumbai: Attention Expendables fans! The highly awaited Expend4bles, the fourth instalment of the popular Expendables film series, is finally set to hit big screens on 22 September. We know you are excited to see the film ahead of the rest of the world, and what if we could make that happen? Well, we have got some un-expendable news for you! PVR INOX is happy to announce an Early Access Show of Expend4bles on 20 September, but it will happen only in the city with the maximum Expend4bles fans! This will be a city-exclusive screening and fans will have to cast a vote for bringing this screening to their city. Fans from more than 110 cities in India can vote.
Expend4bles fans can vote for their preferred city on the PVR app/website between 10 to 14 September. The lucky city with the highest votes will be announced on 15 September. The fans can also check the real-time voting status during the voting days on the PVR app and website.
Speaking about the palpable buzz around Expend4bles fuelled by the early access voting, PVR INOX Ltd.’s Co-CEO, Gautam Dutta shared, “The Expendables is one of the most popular movie franchises and we are thrilled to see the buzz around Expend4bles. It’s only fair that we add to the excitement of the fans with unique innovations. Initiatives like voting for the early access show for Expend4bles are like a double delight for the fans, who would enjoy the pre-release fun much before the actual release of the movie. The new-age moviegoers love to compete to show off their love for their favourite movie brands, actors and franchises. It would be interesting to see which city emerges as the city with the biggest Expend4bles fan base. We are expecting the film to do well at the box office and are sure this initiative will also help boost engagement. May the city with the craziest fans win!”
Directed by Scott Waugh, Expend4bles will see Sylvester Stallone and Jason Statham back in action together alongside Hollywood A-listers such as Megan Fox, 50 Cent, Andy Garcia, Dolph Lundgren and others. Jason Statham also co-produced the film along with Kevin King-Templeton, Les Weldon and Yariv Lerner. The film is distributed globally by Lionsgate Films.
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.
