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    Gordon-Levitt has high hopes for impact of ‘Snowden’

    By SHOOTUpdated:No Comments754 Views
    In this March 1, 2014 file photo, Joseph Gordon-Levitt arrives at the 2014 Film Independent Spirit Awards, in Santa Monica, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, File)

    By Ryan Pearson, Entertainment Writer

    LOS ANGELES (AP) --

    Joseph Gordon-Levitt has big expectations for the impact of "Snowden."

    The 34-year-old actor wrapped filming earlier this month on the Oliver Stone thriller about former National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden, whose 2013 leaks to the media revealed the government's bulk collection of American calling records. Congress is set for an unusual weekend session to debate the records collection and two other surveillance laws.

    "The laws are all in flux. … I'm really curious what's going to happen. And I love the idea that we made the movie when we did so that it can participate in that conversation," Gordon-Levitt said in an interview Thursday. He noted a May 7 federal appeals court ruling that the NSA's actions were illegal.

    "Hopefully, there will probably be a Supreme Court case about it at some point soon. And while the Supreme Court judges aren't supposed to really listen to popular opinion, they do," Gordon-Levitt said.

    Gordon-Levitt plays Snowden in Stone's film, which is based on two books about the leaks and also features Shailene Woodley, Zachary Quinto and Melissa Leo. "Snowden" is set for release in December.

    "I think it's really important for us to all talk about it and to talk about different sides," Gordon-Levitt said. "You don't really get much in the American media that explores why he did what he did, why the government could potentially be doing something wrong."

    Snowden, who is living in Russia, was also the subject of Laura Poitras' HBO documentary "Citizenfour," which won an Academy Award in February. Gordon-Levitt declined to say whether he'd been in contact with Snowden.

    The actor made his remarks while promoting his crowd-sourced variety show "HitRecord on TV," which launches its second season June 12.

    Tags:Joseph Gordon-LevittSnowden



    DirecTV calls off acquisition of rival Dish, possibly ending a yearslong pursuit

    Friday, November 22, 2024
    Dish Network satellite dishes are shown at an apartment complex in Palo Alto, Calif., Feb. 23, 2011. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma, File)

    DirecTV is calling off its planned acquisition of rival Dish after the offer was rejected by bond holders at that company.

    The deal was reliant on Dish bond holders agreeing to trade in the debt they held for debt in the new company, a swap that would have cost them about $1.6 billion, collectively.

    The retreat by DirecTV this week may end a years-long effort by the company to acquire both Dish and Sling after it announced the bid in September.

    DirecTV was looking to acquire Dish TV and Sling TV from its owner EchoStar in a debt exchange transaction that included a payment of $1, plus the assumption of approximately $9.8 billion in debt. The deal was contingent on several factors, including regulatory approvals and bondholders writing off debt related to Dish.

    "While we believed a combination of DirecTV and Dish would have benefited all stakeholders, we have terminated the transaction because the proposed exchange terms were necessary to protect DirecTV's balance sheet and our operational flexibility," DirecTV CEO Bill Morrow said in a statement.

    The prospect of a DirecTV-Dish combo has long been rumored, and reported talks resurfaced over the years. And the two almost merged more than two decades ago — but the Federal Communications Commission blocked the deal valued at the time at $18.5 billion deal, citing antitrust concerns.

    The pay-for-TV market has shifted significantly since. As more and more consumers tune into online streaming platforms, demand for more traditional satellite entertainment continues to shrink.

    DirecTV says that it will continue to invest in next-generation streaming platforms and offer new packaging options while integrating content from live TV alongside direct-to-consumer... Read More

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