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    “Straight Outta Compton” director set for “Fast & Furious”

    By SHOOTUpdated:No Comments742 Views
    In this Aug. 10, 2015 file photo, director F. Gary Gray arrives at the Los Angeles premiere of "Straight Outta Compton" at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. (Photo by John Salangsang/Invision/AP, File)

    By Lindsey Bahr, Film Writer

    LOS ANGELES (AP) --

    F. Gary Gray, who made waves this summer with his profitable and critically acclaimed N.W.A biopic "Straight Outta Compton," has been set to direct the eighth film in the "Fast & Furious" franchise.

    Gray announced the news on his Facebook page on Thursday and Universal Pictures confirmed.

    Star and producer Vin Diesel posted a photo of himself and Gray with some "Fast & Furious" images on Facebook earlier this week, hinting that the "Compton" director was indeed the front runner to take over the extremely successful series.

    "Furious 7," released earlier this year, grossed a staggering $1.5 billion worldwide. James Wan directed that film, which featured Paul Walker's final appearance in the series. Walker died in 2013.

    The eighth installment is set for an April 14, 2017 release.

    Tags:F. Gary GrayFast & FuriousStraight Outta Compton



    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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