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    Disney sets May 2019 release for “Star Wars: Episode IX”

    By SHOOTUpdated:No Comments1991 Views
    This image released by Lucasfilm Ltd. shows Felicity Jones as Jyn Erso in a scene from, "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story." (Jonathan Olley/Lucasfilm Ltd.)

    By Lindsey Bahr, Film Writer

    LOS ANGELES (AP) --

    "Star Wars" is coming back to the summer movie season.

    The Walt Disney Co. on Tuesday announced that the Colin Trevorrow-directed "Star Wars: Episode IX" would fly into theaters on May 24, 2019, making it the first in the main trilogy to debut in the summer box office season, which kicks off at the beginning of May.

    Both "The Force Awakens" and the upcoming "The Last Jedi" were December releases, as was the "Star Wars" spinoff "Rogue One."

    The "Star Wars" anthology film focused on young Han Solo will test the Memorial Day weekend first with its previously announced May 25, 2018, release.

    Disney also set a barrage of release dates for the next few years, including for the fifth "Indiana Jones" film, the live-action "The Lion King" and "Frozen 2."

    The still-untitled "Indiana Jones" movie was pushed back a year and was now set to arrive in theaters on July 10, 2020, with Steven Spielberg returning as director along with star Harrison Ford.

    Director Jon Favreau's live-action "Lion King," featuring Donald Glover as Simba, was expected to debut on July 19, 2019, while the animated sequel to the smash-hit "Frozen" will come later that year on Nov. 27, 2019.

    Disney also pushed its 3-D animated film "Gigantic" back two years to November 2020.

    Tags:Colin TrevorrowStar WarsStar Wars: Episode IX



    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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