Hollywood
Sony Pictures inks first-look deal with Josh Bratman
MUMBAI: Sony Pictures Entertainment has signed a two-year first-look deal with Josh Bratman’s Immersive Pictures.
Bratman will produce multiple movie projects for the studio under the deal. These include:
1) The Harlem Hellfighters, based on the graphic novel by Max Brooks, with Overbrook Entertainment;
2) The Black Count, based on Tom Reiss’ biography of General Alex Dumas, with John Legend’s Get Lifted Productions. Cary Fukunaga to adapt and direct;
3) The Sculptor, based on Scott McCloud’s graphic novel, which Bratman will produce with Scott Rudin;
4) The Themis Files, an upcoming sci-fi debut novel by Sylvain Neuvel, which David Koepp will adapt and on which Bratman will team with Matt Tolmach Productions;
5) Descender, based on Jeff Lemire and Dustin Nguyen’s upcoming graphic novel.
“Josh has been an important part of the Sony Pictures family for many years. This deal just cements that fact. He’s an incredibly skilled producer, capable of the best work on many different kinds of films. We’re thrilled that we’ll be keeping him in-house as he continues to work on some of our most important development projects,” said Columbia Pictures presidents of production Michael De Luca and Hannah Minghella.
Before founding Immersive Pictures, Bratman worked as an executive for Sony Pictures-based Michael De Luca Productions for over a decade. There, he oversaw and executive produced various projects for De Luca.
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.
