June 10 (Reuters) - Former media executive Edgar

Bronfman Jr., backed by private equity firm Bain Capital, has

expressed interest in buying Paramount's controlling

shareholder National Amusements, the Wall Street Journal

reported on Monday.

Bronfman is looking to offer between $2 billion and $2.5

billion for Shari Redstone's company, the report added, citing

sources familiar with the situation.

National Amusements did not immediately respond to a Reuters

request for comment, while Bain Capital declined to comment.

Skydance Media's CEO David Ellison reduced an initial $2.5

billion bid for National Amusements to provide additional cash

for Paramount's non-voting shareholders, Reuters reported last

week.

Hollywood producer Steven Paul, CEO of Crystal Sky Pictures,

has also been lining up to make an offer for National Amusements

for around $3 billion, WSJ reported last month.