Entertainment News Roundup: Tom Cruise and Warner Bros Discovery teams up for films deal; Baby Yoda heads to big screen in new 'Star Wars' movie and more

The title character, a helmeted bounty hunter, and his companion, known as Baby Yoda or Grogu, debuted on the Disney+ streaming service in 2019. Exclusive-Believe SA top investors explore takeover of French digital music co –sources The largest shareholders in Believe, the French music services company behind best-selling French artists like rap duo PNL, have been exploring taking it private in recent weeks, people familiar with the matter told Reuters.

Following is a summary of current entertainment news briefs.

Tom Cruise and Warner Bros Discovery teams up for films deal

Warner Bros Discovery said on Tuesday it had struck a deal with Tom Cruise, one of Hollywood's most bankable actors, to develop and produce original and franchise theatrical films in 2024. The film partnership with Cruise marks a coup for Warner Bros Motion Picture Group's co-chairs, Michael De Luca and Pam Abdy, and fulfills CEO David Zaslav's oft-stated desire to work with top talent behind the camera and in front of the camera.

Factbox-Screen Actors Guild awards 2024: full list of nominations

Nominations for the 30th Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards were announced on Wednesday for the best performances in film and television during 2023. The winners will be announced at a televised ceremony on Netflix on Feb. 24 from Los Angeles.

'Barbie,' 'Oppenheimer' lead SAG nominations on road to Oscars

Box office hits "Barbie" and "Oppenheimer" landed four nominations each for Hollywood's Screen Actors Guild awards on Wednesday, setting up a new battle between the blockbuster films ahead of the Academy Awards. The movies that squared off in a showdown dubbed "Barbenheimer" last summer will vie for the top SAG award - best movie cast - alongside "The Color Purple," "Killers of the Flower Moon" and "American Fiction."

Baby Yoda heads to big screen in new 'Star Wars' movie

Baby Yoda's next adventure will take the young alien, seen only on a hit "Star Wars" streaming series, to movie theaters. The first feature film inspired by "The Mandalorian" series will start production this year, Walt Disney's Lucasfilm said on Tuesday. The title character, a helmeted bounty hunter, and his companion, known as Baby Yoda or Grogu, debuted on the Disney+ streaming service in 2019.

Exclusive-Believe SA top investors explore takeover of French digital music co –sources

The largest shareholders in Believe, the French music services company behind best-selling French artists like rap duo PNL, have been exploring taking it private in recent weeks, people familiar with the matter told Reuters. The investors, who include the group’s CEO and founder Denis Ladegaillerie and U.S. investment firm TCV, have been sounding out interest from private equity firms to explore a bid for Paris-based Believe, less than three years after its stock market debut, said the people, who spoke on condition of anonymity. The shareholders were working with advisers, two of the people said.

Elvis train shakes, rattles and rolls out to tribute festival in Australia

Hundreds of hip-shaking and wig-wearing Elvis Presley fans on Thursday began their annual pilgrimage to the Elvis Festival in the Australian outback, the world's largest tribute to the iconic musician. Revellers in their sequin-encrusted jumpsuits danced to several of the King's biggest hits at Sydney's Central railway terminal before catching the 'Elvis Express' to the rural town of Parkes, 357 km (222 miles) westward.

Actor Stephen Fry takes aim at royal guards to ban the use of bear fur caps

British actor Stephen Fry teamed up with animal welfare campaigners on Wednesday to demand that soldiers of the King's Guard stop using real fur in their famous tall bearskin caps. The scarlet-clad soldiers wear the foot-high bear pelt headwear, known as a busby, for ceremonial events and when they fill sentry posts outside Buckingham Palace as they have done for centuries.

'Bridgerton''s Dynevor, 'Saltburn''s Elordi among BAFTA Rising Star nominees

"Bridgerton" star Phoebe Dynevor, "The Bear" Golden Globe winner Ayo Edebiri and "Saltburn" actor Jacob Elordi are among the nominees for the EE Rising Star Award at this year’s British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Film Awards.

The list of five contenders, revealed on Wednesday, also includes actors Sophie Wilde and Mia McKenna-Bruce.

Angela Bassett, Mel Brooks accept honorary Oscars at Hollywood gala

Actor Angela Bassett was celebrated for a lifetime of memorable roles from Tina Turner to the queen of Wakanda as Hollywood's film academy handed out honorary Oscars on Tuesday. Comedian Mel Brooks also received a golden statuette at the annual Governors Awards in front of a crowd of top stars including Leonardo DiCaprio, Bradley Cooper and Natalie Portman.

Skydance Media CEO exploring all-cash bid to take control of Paramount - source

Skydance Media CEO David Ellison is exploring an all-cash bid to acquire entertainment giant Paramount Global's parent National Amusements, a person familiar with the matter said on Wednesday. Ellison could take control of National Amusements with financing from Skydance's existing investors, which include The Ellison family, RedBird Capital Partners and Tencent, the source said, confirming a report in the Wall Street Journal.

(With inputs from agencies.)