Netflix recently outbid Paramount in negotiations to merge with Warner Bros., in a deal potentially worth $82.7 billion. Although the merger has faced opposition, notably from the Writers Guild of America, it now faces a new challenge. Paramount has made an unexpected offer to buy Warner Bros. directly, launching what’s known as a hostile takeover.
This morning, Ellison stated he’s willing to pay significantly more than Netflix to acquire the company. He’s offering shareholders $30 per share in cash. Netflix, however, is only interested in Warner Bros. and isn’t pursuing the TV networks that will be split off as a separate entity next year. Their offer stands at $27.75 per share, a mix of cash and stock.
I just read in Variety that 20th Century Studios is going all-in on the next Avatar movie, Fire and Ash. Apparently, they’ve budgeted over $400 million for it! That’s about the same amount they spent on the last sequel back in 2022 – somewhere between $350 and $460 million. It sounds like James Cameron is still making the most expensive movies ever!
I was reading an interview with Ulrich, who’s been doing the press rounds for Five Nights at Freddy’s 2. He talked about revisiting his role as Billy Loomis in the recent Scream sequels – it was cool seeing him back! Apparently, a big reveal in those films was that Sam Carpenter is Billy’s daughter, and she actually sees him – hallucinates with him, even. Ulrich said if the original plan for Scream 7 had stuck, it would have really built on that, taking things to a whole new level. It’s a shame to hear things changed direction, but it sounds like there were some really interesting ideas on the table.
Now that the rumors are true and anticipation is building, this reboot is a complete reimagining of the franchise. Shotz is enthusiastic about “bringing the story to life,” hinting at a Power Rangers series that respects its history while also forging a new path. Whether the show continues the established storyline or starts fresh, the biggest opportunity for the creators is to revisit and reimagine the original villain.
According to reports, Paramount has made a new offer to buy Warner Bros. Discovery. This time, they’re proposing a full cash payment of $30 for every share of WB stock. Unlike previous attempts to only purchase WB’s film and streaming assets (like HBO and HBO Max), Paramount now wants to acquire the entire company, including its television networks such as CNN, TNT, and TBS.
When people rank the Star Wars movies, the three most recent films – the sequels – usually end up ranked lowest. The first of these, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, came out in December 2015. Now, ten years later, new Star Wars stories set in a different time period are emerging, potentially taking the place of Episode VII in fans’ estimations.
Let’s talk about Lonesome Dove, the popular 1989 CBS miniseries based on Larry McMurtry’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel. Few people predicted the Western would be a hit, but it became a massive television event, drawing around 26 million viewers. The show received an incredible 18 Emmy nominations and won seven awards. It’s no exaggeration to say Lonesome Dove breathed new life into the Western genre, paving the way for popular 90s films like Unforgiven and Tombstone.
While watching the first four episodes of Stranger Things Season 5, I was struck by Holly’s outfit in the world connected to Mr. Whatsit (Vecna). Her blue dress, orange cape, and necklace were memorable, and I believe they’re significant. Let’s discuss these details and how they might be important as the season continues.
Set in the aftermath of the Civil War, this story follows eight enigmatic strangers who find themselves seeking shelter together during a dangerous blizzard. Released in 2015, the narrative explores how these individuals, including Walton Goggins, discover that their shared predicament is overshadowed by their own troubled histories, which threaten to resurface.