Hollywood
Scarlett Johansson to star in DreamWorks’ ‘Ghost in the Shell’
MUMBAI: Scarlett Johansson has been signed on to star in DreamWorks’ upcoming venture, Ghost in the Shell.
The actress, who received accolades for her action lead in Lucy, will feature in the anime-based, live-action thriller directed by Rupert Sanders and written by Bill Wheeler.
Produced by Ari Arad and Steven Paul, Ghost in the Shell is based on the Japanese comic book of the same name. The plot is about the exploits of a member of a covert ops unit of the Japanese National Public Safety Commission that specializes in fighting technology-related crime.
Former DreamWorks executive Mark Sourian, will executive produce the movie, for which Johansson had reportedly, received an offer of US $10 million.
Johansson’s upcoming film includes Avengers: Age of Ultron where she plays the Black Widow.
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.
