Latest news with #TheHungerGames'
Los Angeles Times
a day ago
- Business
- Los Angeles Times
‘Dune' studio Legendary weighs buying Lionsgate Studios
Legendary Entertainment, the independent film and TV studio behind the 'Dune' trilogy and 'A Minecraft Movie,' is considering a takeover of Lionsgate Studios, according to people familiar with the matter. Legendary, which is backed by Apollo Global Management, first approached the company after Lionsgate finalized its separation from the Starz Entertainment Corp. TV network and streaming service in May, said the people, who asked not be named as the information is private. Those talks centered on a potential partnership to produce a handful of films so that Legendary could gauge how the two companies worked together and whether it should ultimately proceed with a takeover offer, the people said. Representatives for Legendary and Lionsgate declined to comment. Lionsgate shares jumped 8.6% after Bloomberg reported the news and ended the day up 20%. Lionsgate, which currently has a market cap of $1.8 billion, owns the rights to popular film franchises including 'John Wick,' 'The Hunger Games' and 'Twilight,' and would provide Legendary with a theatrical distribution network. Lionsgate has also produced TV hits including AMC's 'Mad Men.' 'A Minecraft Movie,' which was co-produced by Legendary and released by Warner Bros. Discovery's film studio in April, is the highest grossing movie at the domestic box office so far this year, having sold $423.9 million worth of tickets in the US and Canada. Legendary's exploration of a Lionsgate takeover 'is sensible, given it's a pure-play studio,' Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Geetha Ranganathan wrote in a note. A deep library of content accounts for a third of Lionsgate's revenue at a high profit margin, she noted. 'We suspect that Legendary's interest could spur others to potentially consider bids.' Josh Grode, Legendary's chief executive officer, said in a 2024 interview with Bloomberg Businessweek that he planned to tap Apollo's finances for takeovers in the entertainment industry that would collectively be worth billions of dollars. Last year, Legendary and Apollo were linked to a potential acquisition of the Paramount Pictures film studio, and were later involved in a potential acquisition of parent company Paramount Global. That business is instead being acquired by David Ellison's Skydance Media. Buckley and Shaw write for Bloomberg.
Los Angeles Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Los Angeles Times
Letters to the Editor: No, there shouldn't be billionaires while their employees live off food stamps
To the editor: Billionaires should not exist while their employees live off food stamps ('Does America need billionaires? Billionaires say 'Yes!,'' July 8). They already don't pay the same portion of taxes that their employees do. While Jeff Bezos and his ilk were terrorizing a sinking Venice with a display of wealth so egregious that it would make citizens of the Capitol in 'The Hunger Games' blush, his employees were getting their already measly government aid slashed to help pay for more tax cuts for the rich. To everyone complaining about homelessness in L.A.: The tax money that should be helping these people is staying put in billionaires' pockets. The fact that billionaires are only getting richer will just make this problem worse. Sol Taylor, Riverside
Extra.ie
27-06-2025
- Extra.ie
Life in prison for schoolboys murder
A man who went on a rampage with a Samurai Sword in the UK, has this afternoon (Friday) been jailed for 40 years after he murdered a 14 year old boy in Hainault, North East London last April. Marcus Arduini Monzo was sentenced to 40 years behind bars for the murder and other offences last April. The 37 year old former Amazon delivery driver, struck 14 year old Daniel Anjorin with a samurai sword as he walked to school on the morning of April 30th last year, causing unsurvivable neck injuries to the child. He also attacked five other people, including two police officers, during his 'drug fuelled' rampage in the North London suburb. Daniel Anjorin. Pic: Metropolitan Police He was convicted of three counts of attempted murder, wounding with intent, aggravated burglary, and possessing a bladed article. Prior to the attacks on April 30, he had killed and skinned his pet cat, Wizard, after plunging into a cannabis-induced psychosis, thinking the pet cat was trying to control him. After the attacks, Monzo, likened the events to the Hollywood film 'The Hunger Games' and claimed to have an alternative persona as a 'professional assassin'. Marcus Arduini Monzo. Pic: Metropolitan Police Daniel Anjorins father, Dr Ebenezer Anjorin told the court about the hopes they had for their bright, talented son which had been destroyed – 'We will not see him get married or have children. All the normal things parents hope for their children. All these hopes and aspirations have been cruelly snatched away from us through the wicked actions of Marcus Monzo'. 'It has been the worst nightmare experience of our lives. To have to go through the pain of losing a child in such a cruel and savage way. No family should have to go through this.' Metropolitan Police officers attempting to arrest Marcus Arduini Monzo. Pic: Metropolitan Police Sentencing him to life behind bars today, Mr Justice Bennathan told the court hearing it is possible Monzo will never be set free again.
Daily Record
25-06-2025
- Daily Record
Samurai sword maniac guilty of murdering schoolboy in horror rampage
Marcus Arduini Monzo launched a 20-minute spree of violence, murdering schoolboy Daniel Anjorin in April last year. A cannabis -fuelled killer who claimed to be a "professional assassin" has been found guilty of murdering a 14-year-old schoolboy with a samurai sword. Marcus Arduini Monzo, 37, virtually decapitated Daniel Anjorin as the youngster walked to school in Hainault, north-east London, on April 30, last year, reports the Mirror. The court heard how the crazed killer, who was high on drugs, had skinned and deboned his pet cat Wizard before he launched the spree of violence on his innocent victims, the court has heard. In the horror scenes, he murdered Daniel and attacked a pedestrian, two police officers and a couple in their own home, jurors heard. Afterwards he compared the events to Hollywood movie 'The Hunger Games' and claimed he had an alternative personality of a "professional assassin". Monzo denied Daniel's murder, and the attempted murders of Donato, Iwule, Sindy Arias, Henry De Los Rios Polania and PC Yasmin Margaret Mechem-Whitfield, as well as wounding Inspector Moloy Campbell with intent. He also denied aggravated burglary and possession of a bladed article relating to a kitchen knife. Monzo previously admitted two counts of having an offensive weapon, namely two swords. On Wednesday, June 25, he was cleared of one count of attempted murder and instead found guilty of intending grievous harm. He was found guilty of all other charges following a trial at the Old Bailey. Opening the case, prosecutor Tom Little, KC, told the jury: "Daniel Anjorin is the boy that was murdered. He was just 14. He had left home and was simply walking to school, minding his own business, looking forward to the day ahead when he was killed. "His life was snuffed out in an instant. In fact most accurately he was slain by the defendant with the use of a sword." Mr Little told the jury that the first victim, Donato Iwule, was walking along a pavement at 6.51am when Monzo rammed him, "catapulting" him into a garden. CCTV from a Ring doorbell captured Mr Iwule shouting: "I don't know you", to which Monzo chillingly replied: "I don't care, I will kill you." Despite being stabbed in the neck with a 23-inch blade, Mr Iwule somehow managed to escape with his life. Daniel was the next victim, slashed in the neck as he walked to school, just as police arrived at the scene, the court heard. Brave PC Yasmin Mechem-Whitfield chased Monzo but was slashed three times as she tried to stop the rampage. The horror continued as Monzo broke into a house and attacked a couple sleeping next to their four-year-old daughter, only stopping when the child woke up crying. Officers finally brought him down using a Taser. He did not deny carrying out the attacks but claimed he was suffering from a mental disorder and "psychotic episodes". Mr Little said it was a "clear case of murder" and four attempted murders sparked by Monzo using cannabis.
USA Today
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Your 'Twilight' refresher as the series turns 20
What is it about paranormal romance that's oh-so swoon-worthy? 'Twilight' is among the most popular vampire love stories across books and movies – generations are still debating Edward Cullen vs. Jacob Black. The fandom persists two decades later, inspiring scores of die-hard readers, fanfic (we're looking at you, 'Fifty Shades of Grey') and still-relevant quotes like 'Bella! Where the hell have you been, loca?' The series also showed that female-led stories could be blockbusters, paving the way for fantasy favorites like 'The Hunger Games' and 'Divergent.' As we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the first book's publication, here's your definitive guide to the Stephenie Meyer universe. How many books are in the 'Twilight' series? There are four books in the 'Twilight' series, but technically seven in the world of 'Twilight' as Meyer wrote two companion novels and a novella that reimagine or dive deeper into the story. 'Life and Death' is 'Twilight' reimagined. This gender-swapped novel turns Bella and Edward's story into Beaufort and Edythe, letting a female vampire take the lead. 'Midnight Sun,' Meyer's latest release, is 'Twilight' from Edward's perspective. 'The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner' is a novella told from the perspective of one of the newborn vampires in Victoria's coven, introduced in 'Eclipse.' It follows her friendships, romance and the mysteries of vampire life beyond hunting Bella and the Cullens. When did the 'Twilight' books come out? 'Twilight' books in order Here are all the 'Twilight' books by Stephenie Meyer in order of release: Who wrote 'Twilight'? Stephenie Meyer wrote 'Twilight.' She was inspired by a dream about a girl and a sparkly vampire talking in a meadow. Meyer would eventually become USA TODAY's Author of the Year in 2008 after she captured the top four spots on our Best-selling Booklist, something no author had done before. She's written two other books outside of "Twilight": "The Host" and "The Chemist." Clare Mulroy is USA TODAY's Books Reporter, where she covers buzzy releases, chats with authors and dives into the culture of reading. Find her on Instagram, subscribe to our weekly Books newsletter or tell her what you're reading at cmulroy@
