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.

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.

KARACHI – A planned $111 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery by Paramount has encountered a major legal obstacle after a coalition of 12 US states, led by California, filed a lawsuit seeking to block the transaction on antitrust grounds.

The lawsuit threatens Paramount’s plan to complete the acquisition this month despite the company already securing regulatory approvals from more than a dozen countries and submitting merger documents to the US Department of Justice in December.

During a hearing on Friday, US District Judge Araceli Martínez-Olguín said she would decide by next Wednesday whether to issue a temporary restraining order preventing Paramount from finalising the acquisition while the case proceeds. The judge noted that Paramount had acknowledged it would not suffer significant harm if the merger were delayed briefly, suggesting the court may be open to temporarily freezing the transaction.

Delay Could Cost Paramount Millions

The legal challenge could carry significant financial consequences for Paramount. Under the merger agreement, if the acquisition is not completed by September 30, Paramount could be required to pay Warner Bros. Discovery shareholders approximately $650 million per quarter, equivalent to nearly $6.9 million per day, until the deal closes.

To avoid triggering those payments, Paramount requested that the court hold preliminary injunction proceedings by the end of August so a decision could be reached before the financial penalties take effect. However, the states have asked the court to begin those proceedings next year.

States Say Merger Would Hurt Competition

According to the lawsuit, combining Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery would significantly reduce competition in theatrical film distribution and cable licensing.

The states argue that the merger would unite two of Hollywood’s five largest studios, resulting in:

• Higher prices for consumers.
• Fewer wide-release films.
• Reduced variety and quality of entertainment.
• Less competition across the film industry.

James Weingarten, representing the coalition of states, described the proposed acquisition as “the largest merger in Hollywood history.”

He argued that the combined company would control more than a quarter of box office revenues generated by blockbuster films, giving it enormous market influence.

Paramount Rejects Antitrust Claims

He also argued that if competition concerns eventually emerged, regulators could require the company to divest certain assets instead of blocking the transaction entirely. Paramount further challenged the government’s reliance on updated 2023 US merger guidelines, arguing that no American court has previously used those standards to presume an antitrust violation at the market concentration levels cited by the states.

States Oppose Behavioural Remedies

Before the lawsuit was filed, Paramount reportedly attempted to settle the dispute by offering behavioural commitments, including producing 30 films annually with a 45-day theatrical release window.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta, however, indicated that such commitments would be difficult to enforce and instead suggested that any acceptable settlement would likely require structural remedies, such as divesting a film studio, cable television assets or a news network.

Key Points:

• 12 US states led by California have sued to block Paramount’s acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery.
• The lawsuit threatens Paramount’s plan to close the $111 billion deal in July.
• A US judge is expected to decide next week on a temporary restraining order.
• If the merger is delayed beyond September 30, Paramount could owe about $650 million per quarter to Warner Bros. Discovery shareholders.
• States argue the merger would reduce competition, increase prices and limit movie choices for consumers.
• Paramount says the lawsuit was filed too late and insists the merger is lawful.