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Jan 8 (Reuters) – Paramount Skydance on Thursday reaffirmed its $30-per-share cash bid for Warner Bros Discovery, reiterating that its offer is superior to the HBO Max owner's deal with Netflix. (Reporting by Deborah Sophia in Bengaluru; Editing by Sriraj Kalluvila)

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)

Jan 8 (Reuters) – Paramount Skydance reiterated that its $108.4 billion bid for Warner Bros Discovery was superior to rival Netflix on Thursday, adding that the value of the cable spinoff central to the Netflix offer is effectively worthless. Warner Bros Discovery's board had on Wednesday rejected Paramount's amended offer that included a $40 billion in equity personally guaranteed by Oracle's co-founder Larry Ellison, the father of Paramount CEO David Ellison, and $54 billion in debt to finance the deal. Paramount's offer values each Warner Bros share at $30 for the entire company, compared with Netflix's $27.75 a share cash-and-stock deal for Warner Bros's studios and streaming assets. Warner Bros has argued that Paramount's revised December 22 bid "remains inadequate", citing uncertainty regarding the CNN parent's ability to finalize the transaction, and the exposure of WBD shareholders to significant risks and costs in the event of deal failure. The board said Paramount's offer hinges on "an extraordinary amount of debt financing" that heightens the risk of closing. Netflix's deal requires no equity financing and is backed by $59 billion in debt from banks including Wells Fargo, BNP Paribas and HSBC Holdings. Warner Bros Chairman Samuel Di Piazza has said the company is not currently negotiating with Paramount but is open to a deal if Paramount can "put something on the table that is compelling." Some Warner Bros investors, including the 7th-largest shareholder Pentwater Capital, have said that the board was making a mistake not engaging with Paramount. (Reporting by Deborah Sophia in Bengaluru; Editing by Sriraj Kalluvila)

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)

Jan 8 (Reuters) – Paramount Skydance on Thursday reaffirmed its $30-per-share cash bid for Warner Bros Discovery, reiterating that its offer is superior to the HBO Max owner's deal with Netflix. (Reporting by Deborah Sophia in Bengaluru; Editing by Sriraj Kalluvila)

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)

Jan 8 (Reuters) – Paramount Skydance reiterated that its $108.4 billion bid for Warner Bros Discovery was superior to rival Netflix on Thursday, adding that the value of the cable spinoff central to the Netflix offer is effectively worthless. Warner Bros Discovery's board had on Wednesday rejected Paramount's amended offer that included a $40 billion in equity personally guaranteed by Oracle's co-founder Larry Ellison, the father of Paramount CEO David Ellison, and $54 billion in debt to finance the deal. Paramount's offer values each Warner Bros share at $30 for the entire company, compared with Netflix's $27.75 a share cash-and-stock deal for Warner Bros's studios and streaming assets. Warner Bros has argued that Paramount's revised December 22 bid "remains inadequate", citing uncertainty regarding the CNN parent's ability to finalize the transaction, and the exposure of WBD shareholders to significant risks and costs in the event of deal failure. The board said Paramount's offer hinges on "an extraordinary amount of debt financing" that heightens the risk of closing. Netflix's deal requires no equity financing and is backed by $59 billion in debt from banks including Wells Fargo, BNP Paribas and HSBC Holdings. Warner Bros Chairman Samuel Di Piazza has said the company is not currently negotiating with Paramount but is open to a deal if Paramount can "put something on the table that is compelling." Some Warner Bros investors, including the 7th-largest shareholder Pentwater Capital, have said that the board was making a mistake not engaging with Paramount. (Reporting by Deborah Sophia in Bengaluru; Editing by Sriraj Kalluvila)

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)

Jan 8 (Reuters) – Paramount Skydance reiterated that its $108.4 billion bid for Warner Bros Discovery was superior to rival Netflix on Thursday, adding that the value of the cable spinoff central to the Netflix offer is effectively worthless. Warner Bros Discovery's board had on Wednesday rejected Paramount's amended offer that included a $40 billion in equity personally guaranteed by Oracle's co-founder Larry Ellison, the father of Paramount CEO David Ellison, and $54 billion in debt to finance the deal. Paramount's offer values each Warner Bros share at $30 for the entire company, compared with Netflix's $27.75 a share cash-and-stock deal for Warner Bros's studios and streaming assets. Warner Bros has argued that Paramount's revised December 22 bid "remains inadequate", citing uncertainty regarding the CNN parent's ability to finalize the transaction, and the exposure of WBD shareholders to significant risks and costs in the event of deal failure. The board said Paramount's offer hinges on "an extraordinary amount of debt financing" that heightens the risk of closing. Netflix's deal requires no equity financing and is backed by $59 billion in debt from banks including Wells Fargo, BNP Paribas and HSBC Holdings. Warner Bros Chairman Samuel Di Piazza has said the company is not currently negotiating with Paramount but is open to a deal if Paramount can "put something on the table that is compelling." Some Warner Bros investors, including the 7th-largest shareholder Pentwater Capital, have said that the board was making a mistake not engaging with Paramount. (Reporting by Deborah Sophia in Bengaluru; Editing by Sriraj Kalluvila)

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)

By Hanna Rantala LONDON, Jan 7 (Reuters) – Docudrama "Giant" brings the story of Britain's former world champion "Prince" Naseem Hamed to the big screen, with Amir El-Masry and Pierce Brosnan portraying the boxer and his trainer.  Hamed held multiple featherweight world titles in a career lasting from 1992 to 2002 and was famed for his spectacular entrances and ringside antics.  "Giant" follows Hamed's rise from humble beginnings, focusing on his relationship with mentor and trainer Brendan Ingle.  Irishman Ingle, played by Brosnan, runs a gym in the English city of Sheffield, seeking to inspire youngsters to swap life in the streets for the ring. When Hamed's Yemeni parents send their sons there to better equip them against racist bullies, 7-year-old Naseem stands out with his fast footwork and swagger. Ingle's unorthodox training methods and Hamed's talent propel the two to the top of the sport, but success tests their bond.  "It's a story of two men who are wildly ambitious … who know what it's like to be on the outside of life and have this ferocious passion to be great," said Brosnan premiering the film in London on Wednesday.  Brothers Ghaith and Ali Saleh play Hamed at ages 7 and 12, while El-Masry portrays the boxer at his peak.  El-Masry spent four weeks preparing for the role, training 12 hours a day, losing 8 kg (18 pounds) and watching archive footage to hone in on Hamed's movements and bravado.  "Massive boots to fill. He was one of my heroes growing up," said El-Masry.  Sylvester Stallone was an executive producer for "Giant", which was written and directed by Rowan Athale. Athale described the movie as a "fractured love story between a father and a son". The late Ingle's contributions to boxing and his community "needed to be focused on", Athale said. "He's as brilliant in his field as Naz was in his, so I wanted to give them equal time."  Hamed, 51, who showed his support by attending the London premiere, was not involved in the production.  "To be really honest, this is not a story about me. It's a film about the prince and his trainer. It's not really had my input at all, so it's some good parts and there's some bad parts," Hamed said, adding he was planning a documentary series about his life with actor Mark Wahlberg.  "Giant" begins its global theatrical rollout on January 8. (Reporting by Hanna Rantala; Editing by Tom Hogue)

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)

By Steve Gorman and Lisa Richwine LOS ANGELES, Jan 7 (Reuters) – A high-profile defense lawyer representing the son of slain Hollywood filmmaker Rob Reiner against charges that he murdered his parents abruptly withdrew from the case on Wednesday and was replaced, for the time being, by public defenders. The surprise change in defense attorneys, which was not immediately explained, unfolded at a court hearing where Nick Reiner, 32, had been expected to enter a not-guilty plea in one of the most shocking celebrity homicide cases in Los Angeles history. Instead, the arraignment was postponed for the second time in three weeks. Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Theresa McGonigle rescheduled the proceeding for February 23 and ordered the defendant to remain held without bail. The development marked the latest twist to the disquieting demise of Rob Reiner, a beloved Hollywood figure who gained fame by co-starring in the 1970s hit television comedy "All in the Family" and later directed a spate of popular films. He was also a prominent Democratic Party activist and donor. Alan Jackson, a former prosecutor turned criminal defense attorney whose clients have included a number of onetime show-business luminaries, including disgraced film producer Harvey Weinstein and actor Kevin Spacey, announced in court on Wednesday that he was quitting the case but gave no immediate reason. "We feel we have no choice but to withdraw as counsel," Jackson told the judge, adding that the public defender's office was ready to step in to replace him, a move that the judge immediately approved. 'PRINT THAT' Speaking to reporters outside the courthouse after the hearing, Jackson did not elaborate on his withdrawal, but said of his former client, "pursuant to the law in California, Nick Reiner is not guilty of murder. Print that." District Attorney Nathan Hochman, appearing separately, countered: "We are fully confident that a jury will convict Nick Reiner beyond a reasonable doubt of the brutal murders of his parents." Public defender Kimberly Greene shed little additional light on the switch in defense teams, telling reporters that such changes were not uncommon. She added that she had spoken with Nick Reiner for about 30 seconds on Wednesday morning and that "he was understanding that there would be a change in counsel." A spokesperson for the Reiner family told Reuters by telephone: "They have the utmost trust in the legal process and will not comment further on matters related to the legal proceedings." Nick Reiner, dressed in brown jail garb, spoke only when the judge asked if he agreed to waive his right to proceed with the arraignment on Wednesday and have it postponed for nearly seven weeks. "Yeah, I agree with that," he answered. He is charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the fatal knife attack on his parents – actor-director Rob Reiner, 78, and photographer-producer Michele Reiner, 70. Their bodies were found on the afternoon of December 14 inside their West Los Angeles mansion. Prosecutors have said the pair were killed early that morning. Authorities have disclosed few details about the circumstances of the crime and offered no explanation for what may have precipitated the killings. Autopsies found both victims died from "multiple sharp force injuries." If convicted as charged, Nick Reiner would face life in prison without the possibility of parole, or the death penalty. The son was widely reported to have quarreled with his parents while the three were attending a holiday party hosted by comedian Conan O'Brien the night before the couple were found slain. Nick Reiner, who has publicly acknowledged a years-long struggle with drug addiction and periods of homelessness, had lived in a guest house on his parents' property. He was arrested near a downtown Los Angeles park several hours after their bodies were discovered. The killings stirred an outpouring of dismay from Hollywood figures who Rob Reiner had worked with for decades as an actor, director and screenwriter, as well as within Democratic Party circles, where he was active in various political causes. He and his wife, married in 1989, were found slain hours before a planned evening gathering with former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama, according to the former first lady. 'MEATHEAD' TO DIRECTOR OF BELOVED FILMS Nick Reiner's battles with substance abuse and recurring stints in and out of rehabilitation programs since the age of 15 were the inspiration for the 2015 movie drama "Being Charlie," in which the father and son collaborated as director and co-writer. He is the younger of two sons and the second of three children by his parents. As an actor, Rob Reiner was best remembered for his role on "All in the Family" as Mike "Meathead" Stivic, the son-in-law and liberal foil of the lead character, working-class bigot Archie Bunker, played by Carroll O'Connor. Reiner went on to a prolific Hollywood career as a filmmaker, directing such popular movies as "This Is Spinal Tap," "When Harry Met Sally …," "The Princess Bride," "Stand by Me," "A Few Good Men," "Misery" and "The American President."   His final film, a sequel to the mockumentary "This Is Spinal Tap," was released in September, 41 years after the original. His wife, Michele, was at one time a photographer who captured the image of Donald Trump that appears on the cover of his book "Trump: The Art of the Deal." She and Rob Reiner met while he was directing "When Harry Met Sally…"  (Reporting by Lisa Richwine in Los Angeles; Writing and additional reporting by Steve Gorman in Los Angeles; Editing by Scott Malone and Matthew Lewis)

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)

By Danielle Broadway LOS ANGELES, Jan 7 (Reuters) – The action-packed political satire "One Battle After Another" and the vampire tale brimming with blues music "Sinners," topped the list of nominees unveiled on Wednesday for Hollywood's Actor Awards, formerly known as the Screen Actors Guild Awards, a key foreshadowing of films likely heading to the Academy Awards. Both films will compete for the SAG honor of best movie cast. Their competitors are the Shakespeare-inspired drama "Hamnet," the ping-pong picture "Marty Supreme" and the Gothic science fiction film "Frankenstein." The Actor Awards are closely watched because winners are chosen by SAG-AFTRA actor union members, the largest voting bloc for the Oscars, which will be awarded in March. Nominated SAG actors include Leonardo DiCaprio for his role as Bob in "One Battle After Another," Michael B. Jordan for his dual roles as twin brothers Smoke and Stack Moore in "Sinners," and Jessie Buckley for her role as Agnes Hathaway in "Hamnet." In SAG's TV categories, dark comedy series "The White Lotus" will compete with medical drama "The Pitt" and psychological thriller "Severance." Meanwhile, culinary comedy "The Bear" will compete with "The Studio," "Abbott Elementary" and "Hacks." The Emmy-winning limited series "Adolescence" also received several nods. The awards ceremony was renamed in January 2025. Winners of the Actor awards will be announced on March 1 at a ceremony that will stream live on Netflix. In 2025, organizers of the SAG awards canceled a planned live announcement of the SAG nominees because of wildfires in Los Angeles. Nominations were announced online instead. President of SAG-AFTRA, Sean Astin, recognized the impact of the fires before Wednesday's nominations began. "I want to acknowledge that this is the one year anniversary of devastating Los Angeles wildfires," he said. (Reporting by Danielle Broadway, Editing by Nick Zieminski)

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)

By Steve Gorman and Lisa Richwine LOS ANGELES, Jan 7 (Reuters) – A high-profile defense lawyer representing the son of slain Hollywood filmmaker Rob Reiner against charges that he murdered his parents abruptly withdrew from the case on Wednesday and was replaced, for the time being, by public defenders. The surprise change in defense attorneys, which was not immediately explained, unfolded at a court hearing where Nick Reiner, 32, had been expected to enter a not-guilty plea in one of the most shocking celebrity homicide cases in Los Angeles history. Instead, the arraignment was postponed for the second time in three weeks. Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Theresa McGonigle rescheduled the proceeding for February 23 and ordered the defendant to remain held without bail. The development marked the latest twist to the disquieting demise of Rob Reiner, a beloved Hollywood figure who gained fame by co-starring in the 1970s hit television comedy "All in the Family" and later directed a spate of popular films. He was also a prominent Democratic Party activist and donor. Alan Jackson, a former prosecutor turned criminal defense attorney whose clients have included a number of onetime show-business luminaries, including disgraced film producer Harvey Weinstein and actor Kevin Spacey, announced in court on Wednesday that he was quitting the case but gave no immediate reason. "We feel we have no choice but to withdraw as counsel," Jackson told the judge, adding that the public defender's office was ready to step in to replace him, a move that the judge immediately approved. 'PRINT THAT' Speaking to reporters outside the courthouse after the hearing, Jackson did not elaborate on his withdrawal, but said of his former client, "pursuant to the law in California, Nick Reiner is not guilty of murder. Print that." District Attorney Nathan Hochman, appearing separately, countered: "We are fully confident that a jury will convict Nick Reiner beyond a reasonable doubt of the brutal murders of his parents." Public defender Kimberly Greene shed little additional light on the switch in defense teams, telling reporters that such changes were not uncommon. She added that she had spoken with Nick Reiner for about 30 seconds on Wednesday morning and that "he was understanding that there would be a change in counsel." A spokesperson for the Reiner family told Reuters by telephone: "They have the utmost trust in the legal process and will not comment further on matters related to the legal proceedings." Nick Reiner, dressed in brown jail garb, spoke only when the judge asked if he agreed to waive his right to proceed with the arraignment on Wednesday and have it postponed for nearly seven weeks. "Yeah, I agree with that," he answered. He is charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the fatal knife attack on his parents – actor-director Rob Reiner, 78, and photographer-producer Michele Reiner, 70. Their bodies were found on the afternoon of December 14 inside their West Los Angeles mansion. Prosecutors have said the pair were killed early that morning. Authorities have disclosed few details about the circumstances of the crime and offered no explanation for what may have precipitated the killings. Autopsies found both victims died from "multiple sharp force injuries." If convicted as charged, Nick Reiner would face life in prison without the possibility of parole, or the death penalty. The son was widely reported to have quarreled with his parents while the three were attending a holiday party hosted by comedian Conan O'Brien the night before the couple were found slain. Nick Reiner, who has publicly acknowledged a years-long struggle with drug addiction and periods of homelessness, had lived in a guest house on his parents' property. He was arrested near a downtown Los Angeles park several hours after their bodies were discovered. The killings stirred an outpouring of dismay from Hollywood figures who Rob Reiner had worked with for decades as an actor, director and screenwriter, as well as within Democratic Party circles, where he was active in various political causes. He and his wife, married in 1989, were found slain hours before a planned evening gathering with former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama, according to the former first lady. 'MEATHEAD' TO DIRECTOR OF BELOVED FILMS Nick Reiner's battles with substance abuse and recurring stints in and out of rehabilitation programs since the age of 15 were the inspiration for the 2015 movie drama "Being Charlie," in which the father and son collaborated as director and co-writer. He is the younger of two sons and the second of three children by his parents. As an actor, Rob Reiner was best remembered for his role on "All in the Family" as Mike "Meathead" Stivic, the son-in-law and liberal foil of the lead character, working-class bigot Archie Bunker, played by Carroll O'Connor. Reiner went on to a prolific Hollywood career as a filmmaker, directing such popular movies as "This Is Spinal Tap," "When Harry Met Sally …," "The Princess Bride," "Stand by Me," "A Few Good Men," "Misery" and "The American President."   His final film, a sequel to the mockumentary "This Is Spinal Tap," was released in September, 41 years after the original. His wife, Michele, was at one time a photographer who captured the image of Donald Trump that appears on the cover of his book "Trump: The Art of the Deal." She and Rob Reiner met while he was directing "When Harry Met Sally…"  (Reporting by Lisa Richwine in Los Angeles; Writing and additional reporting by Steve Gorman in Los Angeles; Editing by Scott Malone and Matthew Lewis)

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)

By Steve Gorman and Lisa Richwine LOS ANGELES, Jan 7 (Reuters) – A high-profile defense lawyer representing the son of slain Hollywood filmmaker Rob Reiner against charges that he murdered his parents abruptly withdrew from the case on Wednesday and was replaced, for the time being, by public defenders. The surprise change in defense attorneys, which was not immediately explained, unfolded at a court hearing where Nick Reiner, 32, had been expected to enter a not-guilty plea in one of the most shocking celebrity homicide cases in Los Angeles history. Instead, the arraignment was postponed for the second time in three weeks. Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Theresa McGonigle rescheduled the proceeding for February 23 and ordered the defendant to remain held without bail. The development marked the latest twist to the disquieting demise of Rob Reiner, a beloved Hollywood figure who gained fame by co-starring in the 1970s hit television comedy "All in the Family" and later directed a spate of popular films. He was also a prominent Democratic Party activist and donor. Alan Jackson, a former prosecutor turned criminal defense attorney whose clients have included a number of onetime show-business luminaries, including disgraced film producer Harvey Weinstein and actor Kevin Spacey, announced in court on Wednesday that he was quitting the case but gave no immediate reason. "We feel we have no choice but to withdraw as counsel," Jackson told the judge, adding that the public defender's office was ready to step in to replace him, a move that the judge immediately approved. 'PRINT THAT' Speaking to reporters outside the courthouse after the hearing, Jackson did not elaborate on his withdrawal, but said of his former client, "pursuant to the law in California, Nick Reiner is not guilty of murder. Print that." District Attorney Nathan Hochman, appearing separately, countered: "We are fully confident that a jury will convict Nick Reiner beyond a reasonable doubt of the brutal murders of his parents." Public defender Kimberly Greene shed little additional light on the switch in defense teams, telling reporters that such changes were not uncommon. She added that she had spoken with Nick Reiner for about 30 seconds on Wednesday morning and that "he was understanding that there would be a change in counsel." A spokesperson for the Reiner family told Reuters by telephone: "They have the utmost trust in the legal process and will not comment further on matters related to the legal proceedings." Nick Reiner, dressed in brown jail garb, spoke only when the judge asked if he agreed to waive his right to proceed with the arraignment on Wednesday and have it postponed for nearly seven weeks. "Yeah, I agree with that," he answered. He is charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the fatal knife attack on his parents – actor-director Rob Reiner, 78, and photographer-producer Michele Reiner, 70. Their bodies were found on the afternoon of December 14 inside their West Los Angeles mansion. Prosecutors have said the pair were killed early that morning. Authorities have disclosed few details about the circumstances of the crime and offered no explanation for what may have precipitated the killings. Autopsies found both victims died from "multiple sharp force injuries." If convicted as charged, Nick Reiner would face life in prison without the possibility of parole, or the death penalty. The son was widely reported to have quarreled with his parents while the three were attending a holiday party hosted by comedian Conan O'Brien the night before the couple were found slain. Nick Reiner, who has publicly acknowledged a years-long struggle with drug addiction and periods of homelessness, had lived in a guest house on his parents' property. He was arrested near a downtown Los Angeles park several hours after their bodies were discovered. The killings stirred an outpouring of dismay from Hollywood figures who Rob Reiner had worked with for decades as an actor, director and screenwriter, as well as within Democratic Party circles, where he was active in various political causes. He and his wife, married in 1989, were found slain hours before a planned evening gathering with former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama, according to the former first lady. 'MEATHEAD' TO DIRECTOR OF BELOVED FILMS Nick Reiner's battles with substance abuse and recurring stints in and out of rehabilitation programs since the age of 15 were the inspiration for the 2015 movie drama "Being Charlie," in which the father and son collaborated as director and co-writer. He is the younger of two sons and the second of three children by his parents. As an actor, Rob Reiner was best remembered for his role on "All in the Family" as Mike "Meathead" Stivic, the son-in-law and liberal foil of the lead character, working-class bigot Archie Bunker, played by Carroll O'Connor. Reiner went on to a prolific Hollywood career as a filmmaker, directing such popular movies as "This Is Spinal Tap," "When Harry Met Sally …," "The Princess Bride," "Stand by Me," "A Few Good Men," "Misery" and "The American President."   His final film, a sequel to the mockumentary "This Is Spinal Tap," was released in September, 41 years after the original. His wife, Michele, was at one time a photographer who captured the image of Donald Trump that appears on the cover of his book "Trump: The Art of the Deal." She and Rob Reiner met while he was directing "When Harry Met Sally…"  (Reporting by Lisa Richwine in Los Angeles; Writing and additional reporting by Steve Gorman in Los Angeles; Editing by Scott Malone and Matthew Lewis)

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)