Hollywood
‘Furious 7’ production generated $47 million for Georgia’s economy
MUMBAI: The production of Universal Pictures’ Furious 7 contributed over $47 million to Georgia’s economy in payments to local businesses and workers, according to new data released.
The movie opened in theaters on 3 April. The economic impact figures also detail that the production hired 7,500 local Georgians.
Universal Pictures’ Furious 7 is the latest high-profile film to call Georgia home during production, benefiting a wide-array of local businesses across a number economic sectors. The overall spend for Furious 7 includes over $15 million for hotels and nearly $5 million for hardware and lumber supplies. In particular, the production built a number of interior sets along with exterior green-screen sets in Norcross, Georgia. This includes sets used to shoot scenes taking place at an opulent Abu Dhabi penthouse, a cement factory, federal law enforcement headquarters, and even scenes featuring a stealth helicopter.
“The entertainment industry in Georgia has experienced exceptional growth, which in turn has created a sustainable environment for the industry to continue to thrive here. Offering a pro-business environment with competitive incentives and investing in our workforce are just two of the ways that Governor Deal and the Georgia legislature have committed to the growth of the entertainment industry,” said Georgia Department of Economic Development Commissioner Chris Carr.
“The highly-skilled local crew and competitive production climate make Georgia an attractive filming location, allowing the local businesses and workers to reap significant economic benefits. The continued support and leadership of Governor Deal and the state’s lawmakers on this issue has truly enabled Georgia’s motion picture and TV industry to flourish,” said MPAA chairman and CEO Senator Chris Dodd.
Key economic impact figures from the production of Furious 7 in Georgia:
– Spent over $47 million dollars towards local businesses and wages
– Hired over 7,500 local Georgians
– Paid over $15 million on hotels and nearly $5 million on hardware and lumber supplies.
Hollywood
David Zaslav could net up to $887m as Warner Bros Discovery sells up
Media mogul strikes gold as Paramount Skydance deal triggers massive windfall
NEW YORK: While the average office worker might hope for a nice clock and a round of applause upon leaving, David Zaslav is looking at a slightly more substantial parting gift. The chief executive officer of Warner Bros Discovery is positioned to receive a windfall of up to $887 million following the company’s blockbuster $110 billion sale to Paramount Skydance.
In a twist of corporate fate that feels scripted for the big screen, the deal marks the finale of a high-stakes bidding war. It comes after Netflix, once the frontrunner, decided to exit stage left and abandon its pursuit of the HBO Max parent company.
While most people receive a standard final paycheck, the filing released on Monday suggests Zaslav’s exit package is built a little differently. If the deal closes as expected in the third quarter of 2026, the numbers break down like this:
The cash out: A severance package of $34.2 million, covering his salary and bonuses.
The equity: $115.8 million in vested shares he already owns.
The future fortune: A massive $517.2 million in unvested share awards, essentially “future stock” that turns into real money the moment the ink dries on the merger.
Perhaps the most eye-catching figure is the $335 million earmarked for tax reimbursements. However, this particular pot of gold has an expiration date.
The company noted that these reimbursements are tied to specific tax-code rules that significantly decline as time passes. If the deal hits a snag and drags into 2027, that tax payout drops to zero. With hundreds of millions on the line, the chief executive officer likely has every incentive to ensure the closing process moves at double-speed.
