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    Forest Whitaker joins “Black Panther” cast 

    By SHOOTUpdated:No Comments2292 Views
    This Sept. 22, 2016, file photo shows actor Forest Whitaker speaking during the Global Citizen Festival, in New York. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson, File)
    LOS ANGELES (AP) --

    Forest Whitaker is coming to the Marvelverse.

    Marvel says the Oscar-winning actor is joining the cast of "Black Panther." Whitaker will portray an elder statesman named Zuri from the fictional nation of Wakanda.

    Chadwick Boseman was introduced as Wakanda ruler T'Challa earlier this year in "Captain America: Civil War."

    The character of Zuri in the comics was a loyal ally of T'Challa's father and a fierce warrior.

    Other cast members in the stand-alone "Black Panther" film include Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong'o, Danai Gurira, Daniel Kaluuya, Winston Duke and Florence Kasumba.

    "The Last King of Scotland" and "Roots" star will next be seen Dec. 16 in "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" as Rebel leader Saw Gerrera.

    "Black Panther" is set for release Feb. 16, 2018.

    Tags:Black PantherForest Whitaker



    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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