Key points:

• Ryan Reynolds surprised fans by appearing in character as Deadpool during Marvel Studios’ San Diego Comic-Con panel.
• The actor wore Deadpool’s grey X-Force suit, a costume never before seen in a live-action Marvel film.
• Reynolds jokingly questioned the cast about Thor’s emotional scene from Deadpool & Wolverine.
• Robert Downey Jr. responded that Avengers: Doomsday had already been filmed, prompting a humorous exchange.
• Marvel has not officially confirmed Deadpool’s appearance in Avengers: Doomsday, despite continued speculation.

San Diego – Ryan Reynolds made an unexpected appearance during Marvel Studios’ San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC) panel on Saturday, reigniting speculation over Deadpool’s possible involvement in Avengers: Doomsday.

The actor surprised Hall H attendees by emerging from the audience dressed in Deadpool’s grey X-Force suit, a comic-inspired costume that has yet to appear on the big screen. Introducing himself as “Ricky,” Reynolds joked that he was “cosplaying hard” before directing his first question to actor Paul Rudd.

What Reynolds said about Thor?

“Where is Thor, and why was he crying?” Reynolds asked, referencing a scene from Deadpool & Wolverine in which Chris Hemsworth’s Thor is shown holding an injured Deadpool in what appears to be a future timeline. Rudd responded with a joke of his own, saying, “He’s a Wrexham fan?” — a playful reference to the Welsh football club owned by Reynolds and actor Rob McElhenney.

Reynolds quickly replied, “You know goddamn well why he was crying.”

The actor then shifted his attention to Avengers: Doomsday, joking that Marvel had spent a significant amount to announce the film and asking when production would begin. Robert Downey Jr., who will portray Doctor Doom after previously starring as Iron Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, responded by saying, “It’s in the can, bro. Look around you. Did you bump your head?”

Playing along, Reynolds pretended to be disappointed before jokingly asking whether there would be any reshoots or last-minute additions.

“No further questions. Happy Hogan, fetch the Audi. We’re leaving,” he said before dropping the microphone and exiting the hall.

Deadpool’s Marvel future remains unconfirmed

Marvel Studios has not officially announced whether Deadpool will appear in Avengers: Doomsday. However, Reynolds’ surprise appearance has further fuelled rumours that the character could feature in the highly anticipated film. Deadpool was last seen alongside Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine in Deadpool & Wolverine, which earned more than $1.3 billion at the global box office.

Other Marvel announcements

Marvel’s Comic-Con presentation featured several major announcements beyond Reynolds’ surprise appearance. Ryan Gosling confirmed he will star in a Ghost Rider film directed by Shawn Levy.

Meanwhile, filmmaker Ryan Coogler announced that actor David Jonsson will portray T’Challa’s adult son in Black Panther 3, scheduled for release in 2028.

LOS ANGELES – Hollywood giant Paramount has officially agreed to pause its proposed $111 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. The decision ensures the mega-merger will remain on hold until a US court decides whether the transaction violates federal antitrust laws.

According to a joint legal document filed on Friday alongside a coalition of states seeking to block the merger, Paramount committed to holding off on consummating the deal. Consequently, the transaction will not close until June 2027 or five days after the court issues its final ruling, whichever is earlier.

Read more: Update on Paramount’s case and Warner Bros deal

In an official statement, a Paramount spokesperson stressed that the agreement establishes a clear and structured path to a full trial.

“This is the fastest and clearest way to prove that this transaction is good for competition, good for consumers, and good for creators — a conclusion dozens of competition authorities around the world have already reached,” the spokesperson said.

Furthermore, the studio pushed back against the state prosecutors’ legal arguments, asserting that their market definitions bear no relationship to modern industry realities and cannot withstand judicial scrutiny.

Read more: Messi rewrites FIFA World Cup history despite Argentina’s loss

Steep delay costs

Under the terms of the original merger agreement, Warner Bros. shareholders are entitled to roughly $650 million per quarter, equivalent to nearly $6.9 million per day if the deal fails to close by Sept 30. Therefore, prolonged litigation could rapidly escalate the total acquisition costs.

Meanwhile, this standstill agreement comes immediately after US District Judge Araceli Martínez-Olguín extended a temporary restraining order. As a result, Paramount had previously been barred from closing the transaction until Aug 18 at the earliest.

Both legal teams had been actively jockeying for position ahead of preliminary injunction proceedings. Although Paramount previously requested a three-day evidentiary hearing next month, state prosecutors firmly opposed the motion. Following Friday’s filing, both parties mutually agreed to cancel a preliminary injunction hearing originally scheduled for Aug 3. Instead, they will submit a joint statement regarding the trial schedule by July 31.

Read more: Chris Brown pleads guilty to affray in London nightclub case

Antitrust concerns and labor opposition

The regulatory lawsuit alleges that the proposed takeover would substantially lessen competition in wide-release theatrical distribution and cable television licensing.

Similarly, entertainment labor unions have voiced strong opposition. The Writers Guild of America (WGA) publicly warned that consolidating two of Hollywood’s major legacy studios would lead to lower creator compensation and weaker contractual terms across the industry.

Key points:

• Paramount has agreed not to finalize its $111 billion takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery until a court evaluates antitrust concerns.
• The acquisition will remain on hold until June 2027 or five days after the court issues a decision, whichever occurs first.
• State prosecutors and the Writers Guild of America argue the merger will throttle theatrical distribution competition and suppress creator compensation.

LONDON – Grammy-winning singer Chris Brown has pleaded guilty to an affray charge linked to a confrontation at a London nightclub in 2023, according to the BBC. Brown entered his guilty plea at Southwark Crown Court on Friday during a hearing that lasted less than five minutes. The case relates to an incident that took place at a nightclub in Mayfair, one of London’s upscale districts.

Brown appeared alongside his co-defendant, Omololu Akinlolu, who performs under the stage name Hoody Baby. Akinlolu also pleaded guilty to affray.

The pair had initially been due to stand trial on charges of assault and grievous bodily harm. However, prosecutors later dropped those charges. A separate charge accusing Brown of possessing an offensive weapon, reportedly a tequila bottle, was also withdrawn.

Chris Brown’s international tour

Earlier in the proceedings, Brown was granted bail after paying a £5 million security fee. Under the bail conditions, he was allowed to continue his international tour but was required to surrender his passport upon arriving in each country.

Speaking to fans during a concert in Manchester last year, Brown thanked supporters for standing by him and also referred to his period in custody.

Under UK law, affray is a public order offence involving the use or threat of unlawful violence in a manner that would cause a hypothetical bystander to fear for their safety.

According to the PA news agency, several supporters gathered outside the London court during Friday’s hearing, with some holding signs backing the singer as he arrived.

Brown has previously faced legal troubles in the United States. The artist served time in custody in Los Angeles for violating probation after pleading guilty to the felony assault of his former girlfriend, singer Rihanna.

Key points:

• Chris Brown pleaded guilty to affray at Southwark Crown Court in London.
• The case stems from a confrontation at a Mayfair nightclub in 2023.
• Co-defendant Omololu Akinlolu, also known as Hoody Baby, also pleaded guilty to affray.
• Assault, grievous bodily harm and offensive weapon charges were dropped.
• Brown is scheduled to be sentenced on October 26.
• The singer remains on bail after paying a £5 million security fee.
• Supporters gathered outside the court as Brown arrived for the hearing.