Hollywood
300’s Zach Snyder to direct ‘Justice League’
MUMBAI: Confirming the studio’s plans for a movie based on its iconic super-team for the first time to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), Warner Bros. president of worldwide production Greg Silverman said the studio has set plans to make a Justice League movie.
Like Man of Steel and its follow-up, which starts production next month, Justice League will be directed by Zack Snyder (300, Watchmen). Henry Cavill is expected to return as Superman, along with Ben Affleck (Gone Girl) and Gal Gadot, who play Batman and Wonder Woman, respectively in 2016’s Man of Steel sequel tentatively titled Batman vs. Superman.
“It will be a further expansion of this universe,” said Silverman to WSJ. “’Superman vs. Batman’ will lead into ‘Justice League.’”
A script is still in development and Warner Bros. has not set a release date, though the movie is unlikely to come out before 2018. The studio has recently been casting the role of Cyborg, a half-robotic hero who is expected to have a cameo in Batman vs. Superman and then appear in Justice League. Other DC heroes who have been in Justice League comic books include Aquaman, Flash and Green Lantern.
The plans for three superhero movies in relatively quick succession show how intent Warner is on catching up with rival Walt Disney Co.’s Marvel Studios in building a cinematic superhero universe after years of lagging behind.
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.
